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This week Neal Jameson gave a powerful message about running the race, God’s power to deliver us from our troubles and getting rid of hindrances in our lives.
Run the Race
The Holy Spirit speaks and we need to LISTEN!!!! It’s easy to get discouraged, but remember, we are on the winning team!
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Heb. 12:1-3
Smith Wigglesworth once had a dream. He saw Satan, turned over and said, “It’s only you.” Satan isn’t as powerful as God! Since sin easily entangles us, it is also easy to avoid! When tempted, tell Satan, “Get out! I am the child of God.” Keep doing this until Satan leaves.
The “everything that hinders us” is not just sin! It is everything. Some of those things look good on the outside (jobs, hobbies, ministries, family), but they are holding us back! Satan is a thing of beauty – not all things look bad. Good is the enemy of great. Unless your standard is Jesus, good isn’t good enough. The goal is to become like Christ.
Jesus kept the course. He ran the race before Him. We too need to keep moving forward. Get rid of the things that are entangling you.
God is in the Business of Delivering Us
We hear the testimony of Ryan, a young man that has struggle with a drug addiction for 10 years, and was supernaturally delivered from his addiction. Ryan thought it was impossible to be free as he tried to quit for 8 years without success.
Ryan stands on the verse:
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Tim 1:7
Get Rid of the Hindrances in Your Life
“Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.” Mk 10:46-52
Who is really the blind one in this situation? The Jews knew Jesus would be coming, but they missed him.
Bartimaeus threw his cloak, which was his tie to the world – his warmth and security. We need to throw away whatever we’re depending on!
Jesus asked the man what he wanted Jesus to do for him. Jesus is no respecter of persons. Jesus can handle any problem you are going through!
We see that Jesus was tempted (Hebrews 4:15), so being tempted is not a sin. Jesus endured. We too must endure!