As we begin the month of December, we anticipate the traditional time of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. In that Christmas story the angels give specific information. What do they say?

 

What are the angels – Hebrews 1:

¹ God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

² Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

³ Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

⁴ Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

⁵ For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

⁶ And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

⁷ And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

⁸ But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

⁹ Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

¹⁰ And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

¹¹ They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;

¹² And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

¹³ But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

¹⁴ Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

 

The angels are to worship Jesus, God’s Son

The angels are made by God

The angels are spirits

The angels are His ministers

The angels are sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation

 

What did the angels tell Mary about Jesus? – Luke 1:

²⁶ And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

²⁷ To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

²⁸ And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

²⁹ And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

³⁰ And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

³¹ And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

³² He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

³³ And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

³⁴ Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

³⁵ And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

³⁶ And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

³⁷ For with God nothing shall be impossible.

 

Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? John 3:

¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

¹⁸ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

¹⁹ And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

 

What impossible thing has Jesus Christ done for you lately?

 

What does it mean to you to belong to the One Whose kingdom is forever and ever?

 

 

What did the angels tell Joseph about Jesus? – Matthew 1:

¹⁹ Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

²⁰ But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

²¹ And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

²² Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

²³ Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

²⁴ Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

²⁵ And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

 

What does it mean to you to have Jesus, your Creator, Redeemer, Savior and Lord with you at all times in all circumstances?

 

What did the angels tell the shepherds about Jesus?-Luke 2:

⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

 

What is the joy of the angels’ message to you?

 

Why did the angel tell the shepherds not to be afraid?

 

Are you afraid? Why? Tell it to Jesus

 

Imagine! The Creator greets the rebellious creation with news of peace and good will! What does that mean to you personally?

 

Do you have peace with your Creator? Why? Why not? Tell it to Jesus!-Matthew 11:

²⁷ All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

²⁸ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

 

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

 

 

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good  plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

 

Coach Patti

 

 

 

When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, His enemy becomes your enemy. Your enemy wants to destroy you, destroy your testimony, steal your inheritance and take others down with you.

Your inheritance has both future and present components. The future components are reserved for you in Heaven. This is how Peter describes your future inheritance- I Peter 1:

³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

⁴ To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

⁵ Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

 

Your inheritance is incorruptible: i.e. it cannot be perverted, dissolved or decayed

Your inheritance is undefiled; i.e. cannot be made dirty

Your inheritance fades not away; i e. cannot become dim, lose freshness, strength or health

Your inheritance is reserved for you in Heaven; i.e. set apart particularly for you and kept by special arrangement for you

In this series we will examine the present components of your inheritance, which your enemy seeks to steal.  The next present component we will examine is ‘abundant living with all the fruit of the Spirit’

Abundant living

Jesus Christ contrasts your enemy’s plan with His plan. John 10:

⁷ Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

⁸ All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

⁹ I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

¹⁰ The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

 

Imagine! Jesus Christ’s purpose in coming to earth as a man and limiting Himself to a human body was specifically so you could have an abundant life! Just ponder that awhile.

 

Is the life you are living worthy of the price He paid for your salvation?

 

When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are sealed with the Holy Spirit, Who is the earnest of your inheritance- Ephesians 1:

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

⁴ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

⁵ Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

⁶ To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

⁷ In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

⁸ Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

⁹ Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

¹⁰ That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

¹¹ In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

¹² That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

¹³ In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

¹⁴ Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Earnest = serious in intention or purpose

Abundant living with all the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

²⁴ And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

 

Love-Jeremiah 31:

³ The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

What does it mean to you to know that Jesus Christ so loves you?

How can you share His love to those around you?

Joy-Nehemiah 8:

¹⁰ Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

How can you use the joy of the Lord for strength?

Peace-Luke 2:

¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Ephesians 2:14

¹³ But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

¹⁴ For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

How does the birth of Jesus Christ signify peace between God and mankind?

Longsuffering-Colossians 1:

¹⁰ That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

¹¹ Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

How does strength from Jesus Christ help you wait for His timing and His resolutions?

Gentleness-Paul reminds you of Jesus Christ’s gentleness in 2 Corinthians 10:

 ¹ Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

Can you give a Bible story about Jesus showing gentleness?

Can you think of a time Jesus was gentle with you?

Goodness-2 Corinthians 9:

⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

What does it mean to you to be equipped sufficiently for good work?

Faith-Hebrews 11:

¹ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Meekness-Peter tells you how to use meekness in 1 Peter 3:

¹⁵ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

meekness is strength under control

Temperance-2 Peter 1:6

⁵ And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

⁶ And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

⁷ And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

⁸ For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Claiming your present components of your inheritance

1) Stay in His Word

2) Pray continually – talk to Jesus Christ all day

3) Fellowship with other believers

4) Participate in corporate worship of Jesus Christ regularly

Questions for Reflection

1) What does the unconditional love of Jesus Christ for you matter to you?

 

2) How can you use the strength from the joy of the LORD to overcome your enemy’s attempts to steal your inheritance?

 

3) How can you use His peace to overcome your enemy’s attempts to steal your inheritance?

 

4) How can you use His strength for longsuffering to overcome your enemy’s attempts to steal your inheritance?

 

5) When was Jesus Christ gentle with you?

 

6) How can you use faith to overcome your enemy’s attempts to steal your inheritance?

 

 

7) How can you claim your inheritance of the fruit of the Spirit?

 

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

 

 

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good  plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through  you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

 

Coach Patti

When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, His enemy becomes your enemy. Your enemy wants to destroy you, destroy your testimony, steal your inheritance and take others down with you.

Your inheritance has both future and present components. The future components are reserved for you in Heaven. This is how Peter describes your future inheritance- I Peter 1:

³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

⁴ To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

⁵ Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

 

Your inheritance is incorruptible: i.e. it cannot be perverted, dissolved or decayed

Your inheritance is undefiled; i.e. cannot be made dirty

Your inheritance fades not away; i e. cannot become dim, lose freshness, strength or health

Your inheritance is reserved for you in Heaven; i.e. set apart particularly for you and kept by  special arrangement for you

In this series we will examine the present components of your inheritance, which your enemy seeks to steal.  The next present component we will examine is victory and freedom from sin.

Even though you still have your rebellious sin nature, you do not have to sin. But Jesus Christ loves you so much He allows you to choose. You are not a puppet compelled to obey Him.

When you are tempted to sin, Jesus Christ provides a way of escape. 1 Corinthians 10:

¹² Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

¹³ There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

When you do sin, Jesus Christ provides a solution. 1John 1:

⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Don’t you just wonder that He not only forgives the sin but cleans up the result of your sin!

Jesus promises triumph – 2 Corinthians 2:

¹⁴Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

¹⁵ For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

¹⁶ To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

triumph= public spectacle of significant success; noteworthy achievement; joy over success

savor =distinctive quality with the power to excite or interest

knowledge =thebodyoftruthsorfactsaccumulatedinthecourseoftime.

Victory and freedom from sin-1 Corinthians 15:

⁵⁰Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

⁵¹ Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

⁵² In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

⁵⁴ So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

⁵⁵ O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Romans 8:

¹There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

³ For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

⁴ That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

⁵ For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

⁸ So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

⁹ But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

¹⁰ And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

¹¹ But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

¹² Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

Imagine- NO CONDEMNATION! Ponder that for awhile.

Galatians 5:

¹ Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

How can you avoid entanglements in the yoke of bondage to sin? Pray always, stay in God’s Word, fellowship with other Christians, participate in corporate worship, take time alone with Jesus – what else would you say?

Victory in Jesus – Eugene Monroe Bartlett Senior

I heard an old, old story, How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning, Of His precious blood atoning

Then I repented of my sins; And won the victory.
Refrain:
O victory in Jesus, My Savior, forever.

He sought me and bought me With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory, Beneath the cleansing flood

I heard about His healing, Of His cleansing power revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again And caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, “Dear Jesus, Come and heal my broken spirit,”
And somehow Jesus came and brought To me the victory.

I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory.

And I heard about the streets of gold Beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing, And the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I’ll sing up there The song of victory.

 

Questions for Reflection

1) Are you fully experiencing the victory Jesus bought for you? Why?

 

2) What does it mean to you to be free from sin?

 

3) Is there some sin that consistently grabs hold of you? Tell it to Jesus now.

 

4) How can you claim your inheritance of victory and freedom from sin?

 

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

 

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

 

Coach Patti

When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, His enemy becomes your enemy, Your enemy wants to destroy you, destroy your testimony, steal your inheritance and take others down with you.

Your inheritance has both future and present components.

This is how Peter describes your future inheritance- I Peter 1:

³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

⁴ To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

⁵ Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

 

Your inheritance is incorruptible: i.e. it cannot be perverted, dissolved or decayed

Your inheritance is undefiled; i.e. cannot be made dirty

Your inheritance fades not away; i e. cannot become dim, lose freshness, strength or health

Your inheritance is reserved for you in Heaven; i.e. set apart particularly for you and kept by special arrangement for you

In this series we will examine the present components of your inheritance, which your enemy seeks to steal.  The next present component we will examine is your body as a tabernacle where the Holy Spirit dwells.

You were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise- Ephesians 1:

¹² That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

¹³ In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

¹⁴ Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

So what is the significance of the Holy Spirit sealing you?

You were given a Helper to walk as a child of light- Ephesians 5:

⁶ Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

⁷ Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

⁸ For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

⁹ (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

¹⁰ Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord

So what is the significance of the Holy Spirit as you Helper?

You were given a Comforter and Teacher-John 14:

¹⁶ And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

¹⁷ Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

¹⁸ I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

²⁵ These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

²⁶ But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

So what is the significance of the Holy Spirit comforting and teaching you?

You were given the Holy Spirit that you might know the things God has freely given to you

-1 Corinthians 2:¹²Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

¹³Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

¹⁴But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

¹⁵But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

¹⁶For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

So what is the significance of knowing the things God has freely given to you?

As one who is redeemed with the blood of Jesus Christ, you have what Solomon, the king, the wisest man ever, longed for in Ecclesiastes 4:

¹ So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

² Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.

³ Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

The Comforter has Come –Frank Bottome, 1890

Oh, spread the tidings ’round, wherever man is found,

Wherever human hearts and human woes abound;
Let every Christian tongue proclaim the joyful sound: The Comforter has come!

refrain

The Comforter has come, The Comforter has come!
The Holy Ghost from heav’n, The Lord’s dear promise giv’n;

Oh, spread the tidings ’round, Wherever man is found— The Comforter has come!
The long, long night is past, the morning breaks at last;
And hushed the dreadful wail and fury of the blast,
As o’er the golden hills the day advances fast!  The Comforter has come!

Lo, the great King of kings, with healing in His wings,

To every captive soul a full deliv’rance brings;
And through the vacant cells the song of triumph rings: The Comforter has come!

O boundless love divine! how shall this tongue of mine

To wond’ring mortals tell the matchless grace divine—
That I, a child of hell, should in His image shine!  The Comforter has come!
Where are you today? Are your circumstances perplexing? The Holy Spirit stands ready to guide you to all truth and to comfort you in the difficulties of living in this fallen creation. The Holy Spirit, the 3^rd Person in the Trinity, is the love gift from Jesus Christ to you. God understands!

What do these verses mean to you?

1 Corinthians 3:¹¹ For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

¹² Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

¹³ Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

¹⁴ If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

¹⁵ If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

¹⁶ Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

¹⁷ If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

¹⁸ Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

¹⁹ For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

²⁰ And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

²¹ Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;

²² Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

²³ And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

Questions for Reflection

1) How can knowing the truth help with decisions you make?

2) In which situations has the Holy Spirit given you comfort?

3) In which situations has the Holy Spirit given you direction?

4) Are you consistently relying on the Holy Spirit for comfort and direction?

 

5) What specific truths has the Holy Spirit brought to your heart recently?

6) How can you claim your inheritance of a tabernacle for the triune God?

our focus -Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

 

our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

 

In this series we are examining the components of your earthly inheritance, bought and paid for by Jesus Christ. When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, His enemy becomes your enemy. Your enemy wants to destroy you, destroy your testimony, steal your inheritance and take others down with you.

Your inheritance has both future and present components. The future components are reserved for you in Heaven.

This is how Peter describes your future inheritance- I Peter 1:

³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

⁴ To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

⁵ Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this series we will examine the present components of your inheritance, which your enemy seeks to steal.  The next present component we will examine is your body as His tabernacle.

In the Old Testament, the Israelites went to the tabernacle and later to the temple to meet with and commune with God. Exodus 25:

²¹ And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.

²² And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

But Jesus Christ has a different plan for His church. As a partaker of the New Testament, the new covenant built on better promises, the Triune God dwells in you! You are able to meet with and commune with Him at all times! No need to wait for an appointed time or to go to an appointed place.

The triune God dwells within you!!! You and I as new creatures in Christ have what King David, Solomon, Noah, Joseph, Daniel and Job did not have.

Your body is a tabernacle for Jesus Christ to dwell for your fellowship –Ephesians 3:

 ¹⁴ For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

¹⁵ Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

¹⁶ That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

¹⁷ That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

¹⁸ May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

¹⁹ And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

²⁰ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

²¹ Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

 

What benefits of Jesus Christ dwelling in you do you see in these verses?

So what is the significance of Jesus Christ dwelling in you?

1-access to Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, your Creator, the author and   finisher of your faith, the One Who has a good plan for your life, at all times –ponder that

What difference does that mean to you?

2-hope for your future inheritance

The graciousness of Jesus Christ to choose to dwell in you while you still possess your   rebellious sin nature and potential for disobedience evidences His ability to present you   spotless and without wrinkle when you cross the finish line into His physical presence.

-ponder that

What difference does that mean to you?

3-the hope of glory, Colossians 1:

²⁶ Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

²⁷ To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

What difference does that mean to you?

Christ Liveth in Me –Daniel Whittle, 1891

Once far from God and dead in sin, No light my heart could see;
But in God’s Word the light I found, Now Christ liveth in me.

• Refrain:
  Christ liveth in me, Christ liveth in me,
  Oh! what a salvation this, That Christ liveth in me.

As rays of light from yonder sun, The flow’rs of earth set free,

So life and light and love came forth From Christ living in me.

 

As lives the flow’r within the seed, As in the cone the tree,

So, praise the God of truth and grace, His Spirit dwelleth in me.

 

With longing all my heart is filled, That like Him I may be,
As on the wondrous thought I dwell That Christ liveth in me.

 

Questions for reflection

1) How can you fellowship with Jesus Chrsit throughout your busy day?

 

2) How can you use the hope of glory to overcome your enemy’s attempts to steal your hope?

 

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

 

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good

plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through

you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

 

Coach Patti

When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, His enemy becomes your enemy, Your enemy wants to destroy you, destroy your testimony, steal your inheritance and take others down with you.

Your inheritance has both future and present components. The future components are reserved for you in Heaven, untouchable by your enemy..

This is how Peter describes your future inheritance- I Peter 1:

³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

⁴ To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

⁵ Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Your inheritance is incorruptible: i.e. it cannot be perverted, dissolved or decayed

Your inheritance is undefiled; i.e. cannot be made dirty

Your inheritance fades not away; i e. cannot become dim, lose freshness, strength or health

Your inheritance is reserved for you in Heaven; i.e. set apart particularly for you and kept by special arrangement for you

In this series we will examine the present components of your inheritance, which your enemy seeks to steal.  The next present component we will examine is your body as His tabernacle.

In the Old Testament, the Israelites went to the tabernacle and later to the temple to meet with and commune with God. But Jesus Christ has a different plan for His church. As a partaker of the New Testament, the new covenant built on better promises, the Triune God dwells in you! You are able to meet with and commune with Him at all times! No need to wait for an appointed time or to go to an appointed place.

The triune God dwells within you!!! You and I as new creatures in Christ have what King David, Solomon, Noah, Joseph, Daniel and Job did not have.

What does the triune God dwelling in you mean to you?

 

1) The Father dwells in believers according to Ephesians 4: –

⁶ One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

True, God is everywhere present. But the book of Ephesians was written to the church at Ephesus. The true meaning is that your Heavenly Father dwells within you only because Jesus Christ has saved and redeemed you.

Maybe you had a great relationship with your earthly father and maybe you did not. So what is the significance of your Heavenly Father dwelling in you?

Let’s list some descriptions of a good father: Strength, nurturer, encourager, gentleness, tells the truth.

What descriptions would you add?

How do you see these characteristics in your Father God?

What does the Bible say about your Father God?

Your Father is a father to the fatherless-Psalm 68:

⁴Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

⁵ A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

What does that mean to you?

Your Father pities His children- Psalm 103:

¹⁰He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

¹² As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

¹⁴ For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

What does that mean to you?

Your Father is everlasting – Isaiah 9:

⁶ For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

What does that mean to you?

Your Father is merciful- Luke 6:

³⁶ Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

What does that mean to you?

Your Father has compassion- Luke 15:

¹⁷And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

¹⁸ I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

¹⁹ And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

²⁰ And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

²¹ And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

²² But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

²³ And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

²⁴ For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

What does that mean to you?

Your Father is trustworthy- Luke 23:

⁴⁶ And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

John 10:

¹⁵ As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

What does that mean to you?

Your Father is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and Father of mercies – 2 Corinthians 1:

³ Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

What does that mean to you?

Your Father is the Father of spirits – Hebrews 12:

⁶ For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

⁷ If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

⁸ But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

⁹ Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

¹⁰ For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

¹¹ Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

¹² Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

¹³ And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

¹⁴ Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

¹⁵ Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled

What does that mean to you?

Your Father is the Father of lights- James 1:

¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

What does that mean to you?

Your Father knows your needs- Matthew 6:

⁷But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

⁸ Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

³⁰ Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

³¹ Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

³² (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

³³ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

What does that mean to you?

Your Father knows your needs and will give you the kingdom-Luke 12:

²⁷ Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

²⁸ If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

²⁹ And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

³⁰ For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

³¹ But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

³² Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Your Father gives good gifts – Matthew 7:

⁷ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

⁸ For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

⁹ Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

¹⁰ Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

¹¹ If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

What does that mean to you?

Your Father gives good gifts to His children – Luke 11:

⁹ And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

¹⁰ For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

¹¹ If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

¹² Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

¹³ If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

 

What does that mean to you?

Hebrews 12:

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

 

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

 

 

We all have critics. We are all different with different backgrounds, different viewpoints, different points of reference, different experiences. We are all still learning. But when you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, Jesus becomes your personal tutor and you grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus.

 

Paul told the Romans there is no condemnation – Romans 8:

¹ There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

³ For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

⁴ That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

⁵ For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

⁸ So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

⁹ But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

¹⁰ And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

¹¹ But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

¹² Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

¹³ For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

¹⁵ For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

¹⁶ The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

¹⁷ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

 

What does it mean to you to have no condemnation?

 

What lessons do you see in these verses?

 

Will you still do wrong and sin? Yes. Jesus Christ has graciously provided a solution to your sin problem. 1 John 1:

⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

So you see this solution depends on the faithfulness and justice of Jesus Christ and not on you? You need only to confess your sin to Him.

Keep on trusting Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of your faith!

 

Trust that Jesus Christ is able to keep you standing, even when others criticize you.

Romans 14:

³ Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

⁴ Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand

 

What does it mean to you that Jesus Christ is able to keep you standing?

 

Jude:

²⁴ Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

²⁵ To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

 

What does it mean to you that Jesus Christ is able to present you faultless when you cross the finish line of your race into His physical presence?

 

What does it mean to you that presenting you faultless will give Jesus Christ exceeding joy?

 

 

What should you do when others criticize you and you sense in your heart you have done wrong?

Confess and receive the forgiveness and cleansing from Jesus Christ

Confess to and seek forgiveness from anyone you have wronged

Rest in the finished work of Christ- Hebrews 4:

⁹ There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

¹⁰ For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

 

What should you do when others criticize you and you sense in your heart you have not done wrong?

Trust Jesus Christ and allow Him to work– Romans 12:

¹⁹ Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

²⁰ Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

²¹ Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

What do these verses recorded by King David mean to you?-Psalm 95:

¹ O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

² Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

³ For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

⁴ In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.

⁵ The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.

⁶ O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

⁷ For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,

⁸ Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

⁹ When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.

¹⁰ Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:

¹¹ Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

 

What will Jesus Christ finally do with your enemy who accuses you day and night?

Revelation 12:

⁷ And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

⁸ And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

⁹ And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

¹⁰ And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

 

As you consider the on-going accusations of the enemy Jesus Christ conquered death to destroy, what do you think? Hebrews 2:

¹⁴ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

¹⁵ And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

¹⁶ For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

¹⁷ Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

¹⁸ For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

 

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

 

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good

plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through

you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

 

Coach Patti

When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, His enemy becomes your enemy, Your enemy wants to destroy you, destroy your testimony, steal your inheritance and take others down with you.

Your inheritance has both future and present components.

This is how Peter describes your future inheritance- I Peter 1:³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

⁴ To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

⁵ Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Your inheritance is incorruptible: i.e. it cannot be perverted, dissolved or decayed

Your inheritance is undefiled; i.e. cannot be made dirty

Your inheritance fades not away; i e. cannot become dim, lose freshness, strength or health

Your inheritance is reserved for you in Heaven; i.e. set apart particularly for you and kept by special arrangement for you

In this series we will examine the present components of your inheritance, which your enemy seeks to steal.  The first present component we will examine is ‘rest’.

What is rest?

Cessation from action, motion, labor, or exertion

Freedom from that which wearies or disturbs

Fixed and settled, freed from the uncertainty of hoping somehow and somewhere to discover truth, peace, happiness, and eternal life.

Being confident and trustful

Hebrews 4:⁹ There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

¹⁰ For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

Paul compares Christians to the Israelites set free from Egypt in Hebrews 4:¹ Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

² For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

³ For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

⁴ For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.

⁵ And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.

⁶ Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

⁷ Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

⁸ For if Joshua had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

Why can you rest?

1) You can rest because Jesus Christ accomplished it all! The final words of Jesus Christ as He took the penalty and punishment for your sins and for my sins –John 19:²⁸ After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

²⁹ Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.

³⁰ When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Because the price has been paid, there is nothing you need do to add to what Jesus paid and there is nothing you could ever do to take away from what Jesus paid. Through faith in Jesus Christ, you can fully rest in His finished work for you!

2) You can rest because Jesus Christ owns the rest

³ For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

ownership = legal right of possession

What does Jesus Christ taking ownership of the rest mean to you?

3) You can rest because there is no condemnation-Romans 8:¹ There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

³ For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

⁴ That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

⁵ For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

⁸ So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

⁹ But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

¹⁰ And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

¹¹ But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Remember your enemy wants to steal your inheritance – Revelation 12:⁷ And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

⁸ And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

⁹ And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

¹⁰ And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

What does it mean to you to have no condemnation?

4) You can rest because your High Priest has entered into His rest-Hebrews 4:

¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

¹⁵ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

What does it mean to you to have your High Priest already entered into His rest?

5) You can rest because your rest remains without end!- Hebrews 4:⁹ There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

¹⁰ For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

How do you enter into His rest?

The only “labor” you need is to keep believing that Jesus paid it all so you don’t fall as the Israelites did in the wilderness.

³ For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

What does ‘the works were finished before the foundation of the world’ mean to you?

Is there nothing you and I need do? Labor to keep on believing

¹¹ Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

¹² For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

¹³ Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

How can you labor? Make time to read His Word and meditate on it; pray

What do these verses recorded by King David mean to you?-Psalm 95:¹ O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

² Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

³ For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

⁴ In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.

⁵ The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.

⁶ O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

⁷ For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,

⁸ Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

⁹ When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.

¹⁰ Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:

¹¹ Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

Jesus paid it all –Elvena Hall, 1865

I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all.”

Refrain:
Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

For nothing good have I Whereby Thy grace to claim;
I’ll wash my garments white In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.

And now complete in Him, My robe, His righteousness,
Close sheltered ’neath His side, I am divinely blest.

Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow’r, and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots And melt the heart of stone.

When from my dying bed My ransomed soul shall rise,
“Jesus died my soul to save,” Shall rend the vaulted skies.

And when before the throne I stand in Him complete,
I’ll lay my trophies down, All down at Jesus’ feet.

Questions for reflection

1) Are you living with your inheritance of rest or are you still working for something He already provides?

2) Do you fully accept the penalty for all your sins has been paid in full?

Note: I spent several years not enjoying the rest Jesus gave to me. I did not realize that Jesus Christ knew at the time He saved me all the sins I had committed and would commit. I thought His forgiveness was for the past. So every time I sinned after I was saved, I thought Jesus Christ was disappointed in me. I learned that Jesus Christ is all knowing and has made a way for us when we sin after we are saved. His forgiveness at the time of salvation is for all your sins; i. e. past, present and the future! Here is His answer in 1 John 1:⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

3) Is there some area of your life where you are still working to gain His favor? Why?

4) What does ‘fully resting in the finished work of Jesus Christ’ look like?

5) Why did Jesus say “It is finished”?

6) How can you claim your inheritance of rest every moment?

7) What are some practical ways to hold onto your rest when people criticize you?

8) Is there some aspect in which you struggle for acceptance and forgiveness? How can Jesus Christ, your High priest help?

9) What does it mean to you to cease from your own works?

Our focus – Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

What is forgiveness?
Forgiveness is a decision (action word) NOT an emotion!
Forgiveness is not a natural response, we need God’s help.

What isn’t forgiveness?
Forgiveness is not excusing the harm caused.
Forgiveness is not giving permission to do it again.
Respect in relationships means holding the person accountable for their talk and actions.

Why is forgiveness needed?
Forgiveness is needed because something wrong has been done
Forgiveness breaks the hurting cycle: Hurt people hurt people
Lack of forgiveness ties us to the event, the person, the situation, the past.
Failure to forgive = hard feelings = broken relationships =failure to forgive = hard feelings, etc.
The cycle can break with you!
Forgiveness overcomes resentments – only love is stronger than hate

Who needs forgiveness?
Forgiveness is needed by the offender and the offended. It is a two way street.
Forgiveness is a two-way street needed for restoration of a relationship – We can’t choose what
hurt comes our way, we can choose to forgive and forget
Willingness to forgive releases you from hard feelings, frees you to live in the present, enables
peace of mind – even when the other person doesn’t ask for your forgiveness.

When you need to forgive
You are responsible for your behavior concerning those who harm or wound you

1) Commit what you do to the LORD. Proverbs.16:
3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

2) Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

3) Choose to love them – Luke 6:35-36
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Real love is not based on worthiness or it would change
Fulfill your continuing debt to love – Romans 13:
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Live out the reality of belonging in God’s family-John 13:
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

4) Do good to them (demonstrate you carry no grudge)
Meeting their needs will either melt them or give evidence of coming judgment. Proverbs 25:
21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
Lend them grace – don’t set an end date. Wait for fruit in its season.
Psalms 1:
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

5) Live peacefully; leave vengeance to God.
Romans 12:
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Life is your opportunity to live out your “thank You” to God for His forgiveness.

When you need forgiveness

You are responsible for your behavior concerning those you have wounded or harmed

1) Confess to God – 1 John 1:
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Tell God what you did, why you did it and that you know it was wrong
Ask His forgiveness – He won’t punish, ridicule or be surprised. His love is unconditional!
Receive His forgiveness and His cleansing paid for by Jesus Christ
Be thankful for your Savior

2) Write down exactly what you did for which you are sorry – practice saying it
Don’t stray off into what others did

3) Make a face-to-face verbal apology to the one you have wronged.
Keep it simple – they need to hear exactly what you did that you are sorry for
I am sorry that I….
Give anxiety over to Jesus – you need Him
2 Corinthians 9:
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

4 Let your actions give evidence of a new attitude

5) Leave the results to God – Psalms 1:
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
God appoints the time your efforts will bear fruit
A leaf evidences life – your new life in Jesus will not wither!

When you live God’s way, your life will be all He intends it to be!!

Hebrews 12:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Dearly Beloved,
Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!
Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good
plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through
you!
Run in His strength alone!
Run with your eyes on the prize!
Run with the desire to finish strong!
Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!
Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!
Run to His glory alone!
Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

Researchers conclude hope is more of an intellectual aspect that may provoke an emotion than it is an emotion itself. Hope can be considered an attitude, an approach to life after considering multiple ‘what if’ scenarios.
What does the Bible say about Hope?
H healing and help for
O overcoming
P problems
E especially for you and me
Jesus Christ concerns Himself intimately with you and your circumstances. He loves you without conditions and without end. He has a good plan for your life. He died on the cross and rose again from the dead to defeat your enemy, death, and to pay the penalty for your sins and my sins that warrant death.

Jesus Christ is your hope -1Timothy 1;
1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Jesus Christ is the God of Hope- Romans 15:
13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Your hope is lively – 1 Peter 1:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Hope is your anchor – Hebrews 6:
17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec

There is one hope of your calling-Ephesians 1:
4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

You are called in hope-Ephesians1:
15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

Ephesians 4:
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

Reasons to hope -Lamentations 3
21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
22 [It is of] the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 [They are] new every morning: great [is] thy faithfulness.
24 The LORD [is] my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
25 The LORD [is] good unto them that wait for him, to the soul [that] seeketh him.
26 [It is] good that [a man] should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Colossians 1:
5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

The Process of Hope: grace, tribulation, patience, experience, hope- Romans 5:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Abraham’s Example of Hope-Romans 4:
16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb:
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Imagine being childless, 90 years old and being told you are to be the father to many nations.. What would you think? How to comprehend the greatness of Jesus Christ?

As you meditate on these verses, ask God for help in applying them to your situation
Psalms 31
24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
Psalm 33:
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD [is] upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he [is] our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
22 Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

Jeremiah 17
7 Blessed [is] the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
Joel 3
16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD [will be] the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

Romans 8:
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

1 Corinthians. 9:
9 For it is written in the law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

2 Corinthians 5:
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith

Colossians 1:
3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,
5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard,
and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

1 Thessalonians 4:
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

1 Thessalonians 5:
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Hebrews 12:
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Questions for Reflection
1) Are you hopeful today? Why or why not?

2) Are you looking at your circumstances or looking at Jesus Christ Dearly Beloved?

3) Can you count the number of Abraham’s descendants?

4) What about Jesus gives you hope?

5) Which of these scripture verses matter most to you right now?
Why?

6) What do you understand to be ‘the hope of your calling’?

Psalm 31:
24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

My Hope is in the Lord – Norman Clayton, 1857
My hope is in the Lord Who gave Him-self for me
And paid the price Of all my sin at Cal-va-ry.

CHORUS:
For me He died; For me He lives,
And everlasting life And light He free-ly gives.

No merit of my own His anger to suppress
My only hope is found In Jesus’ righteousness

And now for me He stands Before the Father’s throne
He shows His wounded hands And names me as His own

His grace has planned it all ‘Tis mine but to believe
And recognize His work of love And Christ receive

Hebrews 12:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Dearly Beloved,
Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!
Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good
plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through
you!
Run in His strength alone!
Run with your eyes on the prize!
Run with the desire to finish strong!
Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!
Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!
Run to His glory alone!
Run and keep on running!
Coach Patti