8/19/25 Daily Devotional: We Believe … Now What?

Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV - Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

How should we live the Christian life?

• So we BELIEVE in Jesus … now what?

• Hebrews 12:1-2 gives us a great picture of what living the Christian Life should be … running our race!

1. Lighten Your Load

• Sin weighs us down … and it is so dang close to us!

• Sin clings to us as part of our flesh, part of our natural state. We cannot rid ourselves of our flesh and the sin nature that comes with it … it is always right there with us.

• We must CHOOSE to lay this sinful flesh aside. We must CHOOSE to sacrifice our sinful self.

• Instead, we often nestle up with our closest & deepest sin nature … choosing instead to identify & label ourselves with that sin.

• Give your sin TO JESUS and watch your load lighten!

2. Focus your eyes ON JESUS

• CHASE AFTER JESUS! He is our Perfect Example of living a life fully devoted & obedient to the Call & Will of God in & through His Life!

• Study Him. Consider Him. Converse with Him. Depend on Him. FOLLOW HIM. Know His teachings. Know His ways. Know His voice. KNOW HIM.

3. Endure

• Keep at it. Sin is always there. Each day, each moment, is an opportunity for us to choose our self or to choose Jesus.

• CHOOSE JESUS OFTEN!

• When you choose self instead (and you will!) … take the next moment to choose Jesus, give that sin to Him and keep on running!

For the Christian, Jesus is always right there, calling & urging you to put your self down and run WITH HIM … LOOK TO HIM today!