MY FRIENDS, ARE WE PREPARED THROUGH OUR FAITH TO FINISH THE COURSE?

July 4, 2017

MY FRIENDS, ARE WE PREPARED THROUGH OUR FAITH TO FINISH THE COURSE?

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen…….And then the author of Hebrews begins to speak of many “who through their faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated, of whom the world was not worthy wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.” And then chapter twelve continues by saying “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.

In addition, 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.” Heb. 11,12 (ESV) My friends, our Father which art in heaven has placed before us His word. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us….” John 1:14 (KJV)

And the Word who was made flesh tells us Himself “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you [and I] when others will revile [His faithful] and persecute [His faithful] and utter all kinds of evil against [His faithful] falsely on His account.” So [with passion today] we must rejoice and be glad, for our reward [will be] great in heaven [if we are faithful for we must remember] they also persecuted the prophets who were before [us].” Matt. 5:10-12 (ESV)

My friends, where is our faith today? And are we preparing for eternity or just our limited stay here on earth from birth to death. Remember Satan’s objected is to shift our focused from the things above, to what self must obtain on this earth and not what God’s will for our life is. Satan is a strategist in the art of war even though He knows the war ended at Calvary when Christ said “it is finished.”

Satan continues to fight assuring all who will listen, it’s not finished you will be great again if you seek first the things of this world, for your reward. My friends, soon God will say it is finished one more time and at that point the controversy will end with Him saying “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give to [my faithful] according to [their] works.” Rev. 22:11:12 (KJV)