Hebrews 11:32-40, 12:1-2
32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets--
33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 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.
35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.
36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
37 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--38 of whom the world was not worthy--wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised,
40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Hebrews 12:1-2
1 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, 2 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.
Faith
conquered kingdoms
enforced Justice
obtained Promises
Stopped lions
Quenched the power of fire
escaped the sword
strong Out of weakness
mighty in war
armies to flight
Received the dead back
died
So where is the failure?
Not to run the race.We need to be Looking at Jesus. Our Perfector.
Jesus has Joy.
The Word of God is always, always, always Fulfilled. In His Time.
One time, and I've written this before, I met my Great Aunt Clarice in a dream - as she was - it turned out - literally - going up High on the Hill into the Walls of Heaven. Is this new? Yes, I remembered as I spoke to Aunt Clarice, Jesus was standing behind Clarice and me and Jesus was contributing to the conversation. Aunt Clarice had had great hip arthritis in her life and she was asking Jesus to remove this from me. I remembered this in hip pain.
What I saw in the Walls has been recorded by other people. Fits Revelation. The timing was actually the truth. I believe this. Jesus was there. So was Aunt Clarice.
New remembrances of times past. What we have - this day - is what Jesus wants us to have. And in seeing today - find His Joy and Hope and Future. Clarice at one point was screaming like she'd won the Lottery and in her extreme Joy proclaiming all of God's Word and His Promises are True.
The challenge of each year is new. The challenge draws up on our Foundation. We apply what we are doing - renewing each day. Taking our foundation and building on Jesus. Jesus our Rock. What renews? Do we all see something about His Mercies Renew? I think we tend to look more when we are unhappy. The Good of God making a Balance. We know we appreciate the sunshine after the rain has been here. And when we look - we find His Mercies Renew. This is so extremely beneficial. Eventually we could see this as a perpetual and good part of our new day beginning. This is the flight on Eagles' Wings. God never forgets to do something New. His Light on His path is going to allow us - to run the race - seeing God is in charge. Renewal is New.
A really interesting point - God tells us we renew. God tells us in God it's possible to be a New Creation.
Abba,
We see You in Your Word. We ask Your Blessings.
Psalm 145:18
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Psalm 119:16
The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.
John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Abba, as we do our lives. We start by asking Your Blessings.
And this puts us in this day with a Great Start as Your Mercies Renew Daily. Each day we ask these blessings for our cares. Those we love. Remembering Your Greater Love flowing and pouring forth - unceasingly. Your Love does more than we could ask or even fathom. We rest in Your Abundant Love.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
And as we travel the great River of God's Love - we are resting and renewed.
His Love covering every part, every dry bone, His Love Unfailing. Sweeping across our cities and towns. Sweeping the Nation. Moving easily over the earth.
2 Corinthians 1:20
For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
Our Alleluia in Jesus for the coming New Year. Amen.