1Continue in brotherly love. 2Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3Remember those in prison as if you were bound with them, and those who are mistreated as if you were suffering with them.
4Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
-Hebrews 13:1-4

Take the next 15 minutes in wordless silence before the Lord. Use this as opportunity to practice being still before God.

To not refuse the voice of God is a tremendous calling to those who do not practice listening to the voice of God. The practical is one that we find difficult in our modern world. But it is one that must be done.

10“Be still and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted over the earth.”
-Psalm 46:10

We as believers are called to silence and solitude before the Lord. Can we take time to simply listen for His voice? The instruction of Psalm 46 is more than a command to have peace. It is contingent upon knowing God. Should we not know Him, how then can we be still? Yet, how would we know Him unless we would be willing to be still before Him?

I reflect upon my marriage. Some of our most difficult seasons come from a lack of being around each other. She would have things she wants to say and I would have things I want to say. Things are changing in shifting in me as they are shifting in her. I then spend some time with her and strive for it to be quality time, but because we lack so much exposure with each other, that time can become difficult to have in great quality. A great quality of time comes out of a great quantity of time. As she and I spend more time and many more moments with each other, it becomes easier for us to know what the other expects and how we can come alongside each other. We are not so heavy laden with the complaints and grievances with each other as we were before the quantity. Even as I share this, I can see that as the quality also grows that quantity of the quality times also grows. Those precious moments are becoming more and more frequent.

In our walk with God, we tend to look for special moments. We like the big worship nights, the heavy hitting sermons, and the challenges that help us break through walls. I am not saying that those things are bad, but we cannot depend upon those moments to truly know God. I did not learn my wife through amazing trips and cool encounters. I learned her by spending every day with her. So the same for the Lord. The quality of my time with God comes out of a quantity of time with God. I sit in silence before Him and listen. Believe it or not, many of those moments are very very quiet. I will open the Scriptures and meditate on it having no intellectual or emotional advancement. Yet the spirit is edified. And then... the Lord answers. Something happens and I see what all of it was for. His character begins to shine through. I begin to understand what it means that He is God, for I have experienced Him as God.
 
The application falls on a willingness to be still and a receptiveness to know that He is God. He will direct my paths as I acknowledge Him in all my ways. My responsibility to is hear Him that I may respond to Him.

What application are you implementing?

Wrath. Fear. Judgement. Death. These are themes that are prominent in this week's passage.

Salvation. Joy. Celebration. Rejoicing. Gratitude. Thankfulness. These are also themes that are prominent in this week's passage.

It can be extremely easy to fall to one side or the other. Are we supposed to fear or rejoice? Yes. No matter how uncomfortable the answer might be, it is yes. We come before an Almighty God. Consider the fact that you are a temple of the Holy Spirit. This means that the very Spirit that hovered over the face of the waters in Genesis is the very Spirit that dwells in you. The God that created all things simply by speaking is the God that you approach. Through all the incredible things we can read through in Scripture, it is this very God that we have a personal relationship with. That is both incredible and terrifying.
 
Should we just sit for a moment upon this revelation, we ought to find such great fear as well as great gratitude in our hearts before Him. This is the King of kings and Lord of lords. This is the First and the Last. This is the Alpha and Omega. He makes His abode in us. He invites us to His holy mountain and offers us salvation. How can we respond? It leaves me in tears just writing this; tears of fear and tears of praise. Who am I that He would bring me in? How great and incredible is He? How tremendous is this invitation? There are so many things I could reflect on and simply sit in awe, fear, and with great trembling. Oh how thankful I must be that Jesus would cleanse me that I may approach this Mighty King! Oh the praise that should leave my lips as I enter His presence!

My lesson is no different than that of the original audience. I must not refuse His voice.

What lesson are you taking from today?

25See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if the people did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns us from heaven?
-Hebrews 12:25 BSB

The heart of everything up until now comes to this. The invitation has been given. The summons has been called. Now is the time to heed the voice of God. To do any less is to subject oneself to the wrath of God. There is an opportunity that can be refused. The Lord's voice goes forward and asks who would be His! Those that respond and accept are promised a great reward. But those that hear and refuse and promised a great judgement. Perhaps the original audience would be left reflecting on passages like Psalm 2. Let us meditate on this together and consider how the original audience may have received this warning.

1Why do the nations rage  
and the peoples plot in vain?
2The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together,
against the LORD
and against His Anointed One:
3“Let us break Their chains
and cast away Their cords.”
4The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord taunts them.
5Then He rebukes them in His anger,
and terrifies them in His fury:
6“I have installed My King on Zion,
upon My holy mountain.”
7I will proclaim the decree
spoken to Me by the LORD:
“You are My Son;
today I have become Your Father.
8Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance,
the ends of the earth Your possession.
9You will break them  with an iron scepter;
You will shatter them like pottery.”
10Therefore be wise, O kings;
be admonished, O judges of the earth.
11Serve the LORD with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12Kiss the Son, lest He be angry
and you perish in your rebellion,
when His wrath ignites in an instant.
Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.
-Psalm 2 BSB

What lesson are you seeing for the original audience?

Perspective is everything. This passage is a connection that brings perspective to the original audience. As we zoom out and look at the purpose of the book of Hebrews, we see that it is to show them how Jesus is better. It is also to show the consequences of leaving the faith, but then the incredible reward of remaining and enduring.

In a broader context, the writer to the Hebrews is speaking of an important moment in Israel's history. This was the place where the Mosaic covenant was established for the people of Israel. They had just come out of Egypt, delivered by the Lord and are now at the base of Mount Sinai where Moses heads up to get the Law from God. The tribes and elders that heard the voice of God trembled so much that they begged to not hear from God lest they be consumed. So Moses was the one who would intercede on behalf of the people. Given that this mountain was consecrated and God's presence was manifest on it, that which was unholy could not approach.
 
All of this was reiterated to the audience of Hebrews to emphasize the point of just how good Mount Zion is. Because of Jesus, our new mediator, we approach a heavenly Kingdom. But in the greatest of that reward, there is a great fear that comes with it. To those who refused the Lord at Mount Sinai, their consequence was a physical death. What would be said of those who refuse the Lord of something much greater than Sinai? The connections point us to a terrifying answer. See then that you do not refuse His voice.

What connections are you seeing?

28Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. 29“For our God is a consuming fire.”
-Hebrews 12:28-29 BSB

These two verses sum up this section perfectly. To paint the picture simply, there was a time where man could not approach God. He would appoint a representative on His behalf to mediate between God and man. Any who would oppose this command and try to approach anyway was doomed for death. Just as when Moses was upon Mount Sinai, any who would touch the mountain, be that man or beast, would be condemned to death. Even Moses trembled at the sight of this mountain. But it is not that mountain that we approach the Lord upon.

Thanks be to Jesus, we approach Mount Zion, the mountain of salvation. We are joyfully received instead of severely condemned. We approach with Jesus, the minister of the new covenant. He is the Mediator by which we may now approach. Any who comes to God must come through Him, for He is the gate and He is the way.
Given that we are invited to this new covenant, we must see that we do not refuse the Lord in what He speaks. As He speaks, He will remove all that would be shaken. If we are planted upon the things of this world, then we too shall be removed. But if we are built upon Mount Zion and established by the Son, then only the things that must be removed shall fall off from us.

It is to this context that our verse this morning comes from. We are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken. It cannot be removed. It is eternal. So our attitudes are to be turned to praise with reverence and awe in our hearts.

What observations are you making?

18For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm; 19to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken. 20For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” 21The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”
22Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels 23in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
25See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if the people did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns us from heaven? 26At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth, but heaven as well.” 27The words “Once more” signify the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that the unshakable may remain.
28Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. 29“For our God is a consuming fire.”
-Hebrews 12:18-29

Prayerfully submit yourself to the Lord. Take a moment of meditation once again on Proverbs 3:5-6 and seek to acknowledge Him in all your ways. Pray for the encouragement of those in the faith. Pray that the Lord would reveal to you whomever He would have you ecnourage.

5Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding;
6in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight.
-Proverbs 3:5-6 BSB

12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.
-Philippians 3:12-14 BSB

The above verse is one that might as well be written on every wall of my heart as I find myself coming back to it perpetually. The exhortation that is given to the believer is to move forward. A large part of that moving forward is moving beyond what has past. That includes both good and bad. But we aren't just moving away from something. There is something we are moving towards. We are running toward the goal to win the prize of God's heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. As the writer of Hebrews also exhorts, we are to make straight paths for us to run on. Those straight paths are constituted by holiness.

It is the things of this world, the weights that drag us down and the sin that so easily ensnares us, that complicates the path before us. The call to holiness that is given is an instruction as to how to straighten that path. The way becomes clear when our eyes are purely set upon the Lord. Consider this proverb:

5Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding;
6in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight.
-Proverbs 3:5-6 BSB

When all is submitted unto the Lord, the paths before us are straightened. Now with the encouragement that builds us up, with the paths straightened before us, we can move forward.

What application are you implementing?

12Therefore strengthen your limp hands and weak knees. 13Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
-Hebrews 12:12-13 BSB

I have expressed quite honestly in times past that discouragement can rain a heavy burden upon my shoulders. It is easy to become downcast and lose sight of what is important. Through many seasons of discipline from the Father, I have found my head hung low and my heart sore. I have sought counsel from many on how to overcome discouragement. In a similar vein, I have seen many around me, and close to me, struggle with the same thing. While the Lord does indeed want to discourage us from sin, He wants to encourage us in hope.

Given that the discipline of the Father is given upon sons whom He loves, I ought to be encouraged. It is not evidence that I do not belong to Him. Rather, it is evidence that I do belong to Him. The therefore in this text hits like a truck. Given that the Lord loves us and disciplines us for our profit, we are to be strengthened. Stop hanging low and giving in to self-pity. Rather, be uplifted and move forward. Do not stray to the left nor to the right, but run the race set before you and run straight ahead. The Lord desires that healing and restoration of us. His hope is what lifts our weary heads.

What lesson are you taking away?

A theme has emerged throughout this book multiple times, but because a focal point in chapter 12. That is the theme of holiness. As we covered last week's devotions and talked about the discipline that the Father brings to His sons, we discussed that the purpose of that was ultimately to yield righteousness. It is for our sake that the Lord disciplines us. It fosters that fruit of righteousness. Out of that, there are some practicals given as to how walking out holiness looks. This covered the base of holiness unto the Lord. The section we cover this week focuses on holiness amidst one another.

The conduct we express among one another shows the evidence of where we stand with the Lord. This is a major theme in 1 John as well. As righteousness grows within us, that righteousness also becomes fruit from us. The points of conduct that the writer of Hebrews touches on then is that we should ultimately be unified in the grace of God, rejecting immoral and profane behavior.

Contextually speaking, within the historical context, this charge causes a rejection of the ways of Gentiles. The fear of the day is that if the Christian does not heed to the Torah, then they will inevitably run in the way of the Gentiles. The behavior that is addressed is the behavior of Greeks. The lesson is quite simple. Walk in the grace of God; reject the ways of the world.

What lesson do you see for the original audience?

We have a very interesting connection that has led many to tremble before the Lord for fear that they may have gone too far in their own sin. The narrative takes us to Esau. If we go all the way back to Genesis and examine the story of Jacob and Esau, there is a moment where Esau is hungry and calls out for Jacob to bring him some food. Jacob tells him that he will if Esau will give up his inheritance to Jacob. Esau agrees and Jacob ultimately, through many deceptive means, obtains the inheritance and blessing that was supposed to go to Esau. When Esau sought it out, it was no longer there for him to have.

This lesson is one that pops up throughout the Scriptures. Do not be like those who exchange the promises of God for the satisfaction of the flesh. As we have undergone the multiple different reasons that someone of the original audience might walk away from the Lord, this one addresses the comforts of the flesh. Your flesh may be demanding something now, but is it worth the exchange of your souls?

The context here is talking about holiness unto the Lord. To be holy is to live like God. It is akin to righteousness. The writer of Hebrews just finished saying that without holiness, no one will see God. So is it worth that momentary satisfaction in exchange for holiness? Surely the answer is no. However, if one forsakes Christ and draws near to the flesh, how shall they be made holy? By no effort of their own, it is entirely by the blood of Jesus. The exhortation unto holiness then leads to a cleaving to Christ Jesus. Exchange not your inheritance in the Lord for the passing pleasures of sin.

What connection are you seeing?

The writer to the Hebrews continues on his exhortation. Developing from the recognition that discipline is given to those who are sons of God, a call to be strengthened is given. Surely, discipline may very well be a discouraging reality. The point of the Lord's encouragement becomes clear. He wants His people to be strengthened. He wants them to grow. He wants them to continue in the paths of holiness, as that will keep the strength that comes from the Grace of God.

As the writer exhorts the Hebrews, he notes a few specific points. They are to strive for peace with everyone. Additionally, they are to strive for holiness, recognizing that without holiness, no one will see God. They are also to see to it that the grace of God is received by those in their midst. There is to be no root of bitterness from them that springs up and causes trouble. No one is to engage in sexual immorality. And last, no one is to be profane or unholy like Esau who sold his birthright to satisfy his fleshly longings. Even when he tried to then inherit the blessing, there was nothing there for him to receive.

All of this highlights a strong exhortation to holiness. For the present audience of the day, this carried significant weight. Just as they have been stirred by the love of God, they are solidified in the fear of Him. There are many lessons for us to grab throughout this passage and many things for us dive into. I pray that the Lord would set holiness upon our hearts and that we would desire to walk in what He instructs.

What observations are you making?

12Therefore strengthen your limp hands and weak knees. 13Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

14Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. 15See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness  springs up to cause trouble and defile many. 16See to it that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his birthright. 17For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected. He could find no ground for repentance, though he sought the blessing with tears.
-Hebrews 12:12-17 BSB

Pray for those who are enduring trial and tribulation. Pray that they would hold fast and be stirred to know that the Lord goes with them. Pray for the believer to hold on. If you are going through trials and tribulations or a season of discipline, then I ask you to reach out to another believer and ask them to pray with you.

As I shared yesterday, the discipline from my father led me to want to run away. I wanted to draw back, seeing that his discipline of me was because I thought he hated me. What should the response be if I see instead that the discipline from my Heavenly Father is the result of His love for me? It should not be running away or shrinking back from His discipline. Rather, it should be meeting Him with gratefulness and gratitude in my heart.

It seems contrary to our nature. When we are faced with hurt or pain, it is natural for us to pull away. It is also natural for us to pull back from anything we may associate with that pain. However, there is pain that people pay to be apart of. Going to the gym is a great example. There is discomfort and often pain attributed to the gym. The days to follow limit the function of your body. But still, people go back and continue. Why? They're being made stronger. The change in the perspective leads them to embrace the discomfort and pain. In fact, they become excited by it. Soreness somehow feels good. It is this attitude that I want to embrace in the discipline of the Father.

After years of going to the gym and seeing the progress that has been made, I have become more and more grateful at the endurance of pushing through those difficult days. So the same, as I have been pressed by the Lord, as I have been pruned, and as I have been refined, I am nothing but thankful for how He has carried me through. Now my prayer is that I would gain the perspective and hold on to the thankfulness in the midst of the discipline.

What application are you implementing?

There I sat, curled up in a ball on the floor of my bedroom. My arms folded, rested upon my knees. I was catching my breath from long-winded cries as I wept the discipline I had just received from my father. The moment was silent, my heart beating hardily in my chest. A thought occurred to me. "My dad is punishing me because he hates me!" It doesn't take a very mature mind to arrive at such a conclusion. It led me to the next natural conclusion. "Since he hates me, he probably doesn't want me around." And that led me to the next conclusion. "Since he hates me and doesn't want me around, it would be best if I ran away!" I gathered a piece of paper and a crayon, did the best drawing of my house layout that I could and drew a path from my room to the front door. Brilliant. I'd make my escape as soon as the opportunity presented itself. Not too long after, I was visited by both of my parents who expressed their love for me and that it was for my good that I be disciplined.

This very course happened a multitude of times. I never actually ran away, because as much as I hated the discipline, it was obvious that what came as a result benefitted me greatly. Still, discipline can be a scary thing. I don't like letting people down. Even more, I don't want to let the Lord down. His grace and mercy show me an incredible reality. I am not letting Him down. The discipline isn't punitive. The punishment for my sins has been laid on Jesus. The discipline is instead productive.

10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.
-Hebrews 12:10

The discipline is an act of growth. Much like pruning, it produces a fruitful effect upon us. He desires for us to abound in the blessings of His grace. He longs for us know Him intimately and receive all that comes with it. The flesh must be trained out of the way, however, in order for us to experience the fullness of what He has. This is called sanctification. We are being conformed to the image of His Son. It is His grace and mercy that enable us to do so. The discipline acts as a refining fire that draws us deeper into this. Truly, the discipline of God is for our profit.

What lesson are you taking away?

Identity is a core theme throughout Scripture. There is something in a name. If we look at the various names of God, we can see testimony of His character. His names reveal who He is. In our modern culture, we name someone based on names that we like or sound fitting. It is rare that someone name their child out of understanding of the child. It was common practice to wait to name the child until they knew what they'd be proclaiming over that child. A name is a proclamation. It is supposed to mean something.

I will give an example. My wife got into a quad accident that resulted in a broken jaw and a fractured neck. Shortly after receiving the news of these breaks, we also discovered that she was pregnant. From that moment on, and all through the process of healing, the Lord covered us with joy. Our minds were filled with peace and it was as though joy was placed as a crown upon our heads. Sure the healing process for Priscilla was a hard one, but thanks be to God for this child, she was perfectly preserved and served as a continuous source of joy to us. In light of this, we named here Atarah Joy. The name Atarah is derived from the Hebrew word for crown, atara.

3You shall also be a crown (atara) of glory
In the hand of the Lord,
And a royal diadem
In the hand of your God.
-Isaiah 62:3

Names carry meaning. The Hebrew people understood this. They were called Israel. That meant something. It was carried as an identity to them. They were the nation that belonged to Yahweh. They are being told by the synagogue that they no longer are. They are being treated as outcasts and removed from families. So the weight of what is written carries through to the original audience. God's chastening of you is evidence that you are sons. You belong to God. Do not fret and do not fear. You are still His.

What lesson do you see for the original audience?

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
-1 Peter 1:6-9

This is one of many exhortations given to believers that are suffering trials and tribulations. To many of us, it may seem almost incomprehensible the trials that they were going through, and even more incomprehensible that the Lord would permit such horrible things to happen to His people. We need not look any farther than the Son to see just how far the Lord is willing to go for the sake of sanctifying His people to Himself. The Lord knows the end of the road, though the journey is long to us.

Thus far, the writer to the Hebrews has been focused upon a people who are threatened to lose heart in their pursuit of the Lord. They run the risk of casting off their faith, forsaking the Lord, and returning to the old. While most of the energy has been poured out on showing Jesus as the greatest and as the example to follow, there is undoubtedly another crowd that is faced with their own great discouragement. "Okay, maybe the Lord is with us. But He is just punishing us!" I have been threatened by this very line of thinking. Indeed, I could see that God was with me, but I had been deceived into the belief that God was punishing me with every trial and tribulation He could throw at me. It was only years after the fact that I can look back and see what He was producing in me. In the same way that I look back with thankfulness for my father's discipline in me, I look back and see how God Almighty was training and equipping me.

The Hebrews have had a long road of trial and tribulation. The author of this epistle seeks to encourage and exhort. The trials you are suffering is not to say that God is against you. Actually, it is evidence that He is for you. His desire is to see you yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness. That is good news. What this will lead to is yet another exhortation to be strengthened in the Lord.

What connection do you see?

This week's passage spends its efforts in sharing a wonderful mystery concerning the Lord and the relationship between Him and His sons. Held in this passage is a declaration that the audience may very well be sons of God. I do not say this is some mystical or mythical sense. Rather, I say it in the sense of those that belong to God. The qualifier found in this passage is a hard pill to swallow, however. Nevertheless, it serves as an exhortation.

The quoted passage that reveals the audience as sons is one that has to do with discipline that comes from God. Evidently, the author of the original passage and the author of Hebrews shared in the same understanding that discipline is not fun. However, it is profoundly necessary. Consider the amount of passages found throughout Scripture that exhort parents to discipline their children, or individuals to discipline their flesh, or churches to discipline members. Discipline is a large part of discussion on the growth of one's conduct and their character. But the message of discipline found in Scripture, and especially in this passage is not a message of anger or wrath. It is a message of love.

Whom the Lord loves, these are those who are disciplined. It is a qualifier of sonship. The Lord will not discipline ones that do not belong to Him. He will only do so to those who are his. How then are we to respond to the Lord's discipline? We are to subject ourselves to Him. Our earthly fathers may have disciplined us in a way that seemed best to them, but the Lord disciplines us for our profit, that we may partake of His holiness. The discipline may hurt for the moment, but the end result is worth it all.

What observations are you making?

3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”
7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
-Hebrews 12:3-11

Prayerfully and honestly examine your life to identify and weights or sins that need to be dealt with. Ask the Lord how you can partner with Him in your sanctification in removing those things and how you can set your eyes upon Jesus. Don't overthink it. Trust in the Lord.

7“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
8For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.
-Jeremiah 17:7-8

My wife is brilliant when it comes to diet and nutrition. This has been a long time passion for her and it has been a deep desire of hers to bring that passion to the church. There is just one problem. Eating healthy is something that she loves to do. It has been a wrestle to translate that same passion to people that love not eating healthy. She has had to work through many ideas of how to make eating healthy simple. As she and I have had many conversations about it, we landed at a very simple solution for those looking to fix up their diet.

If you want to change the way you eat, change the way you shop.

I call this, "Restocking the Shelves". I have found for myself that I will eat the junk food I buy. So if I buy healthy foods and that is what makes up my pantry, then I am left eating healthy. Rather than focusing on all these different diet techniques, I focused on shopping techniques. The spiritual plan of action is a similar one.

If I want my focus and attention to be set upon Jesus, I have to ask myself a simple question. What are the shelves of focus and attention stocked with? It can be a multitude of things. Are they stocked with media, movies, music, and the like? Are they stocked with work, stress, and anxiety? Are they stocked with fear of my own sin and those weights that pull me down? Most of my own life is spent deeply invested into Scripture already. However, I must admit that a lot of that time in Scripture is not for my development. It is spent there for the development of others. Many past mentors and wise pastors have warned me of this temptation in ministry. I have felt a lack in myself of that development. As I look upon the shelves of my own life, there is that one shelf that is way up high that makes it difficult for anyone else to see. And I can see some junk food on it.

Anyone who is particularly close to me knows and understands that my evenings a sacred to me. With so much of my time being spent investing into people, studying, being a husband to my wife, a father to my children, and a friend to those who need it, the time I have in the evenings is a time I can decompress. Usually I would watch a show or play a video game in order to wind down for bed. As I find it becoming increasingly difficult to get silence and solitude, I look at that shelf that has just the space I would need. For a long time, I would not have identified it as a weight, and I can ensure it certainly is not a participation of sin. As I look at that time, I see the sacrifice that must be made. It is not wrong to watch a show, or to play games. However, it is a valued time that would allow me to truly set my eyes upon Jesus.

The example I am giving is one that I have already begun to make moves on. It is a time now spent allowing the Lord to simply pour into me. It has become a precious time of silence and solitude where my attention may not be drawn any other way. For the joy set before Jesus, He endured the cross. For the joy set before me, I take up mine.

What application are you implementing?

I have been undergoing a recent paradigm shift. It becomes extremely clear when I look at this week's text. It is one I have been aware of for some time, but hadn't exactly known what to do with it. The solution becomes clear in the passage. Let me spell out the problem and then I will draw attention to the solution.

In times past, I have read this passage and have been caught up in exactly what I wrote about yesterday. Weights and sins terrified me. I wanted to be able to run the race well. So what I would do is prayerfully and critically examine my life to identify weights and sins. Many occasions over, I purged a great many things from my life to ensure that I no longer had weights and sins that would so threaten me. To my own frustration, this often proved to be a fruitless endeavor. No matter how many times I laid these things aside, it seemed I never made very much progress. It wasn't that the things would simply come back. Many of them never did. But I forgot the most important element of laying aside the weight and sin. It was so that I could run the race set before me! I was so focused on laying these things aside that I forgot to run! It was as though my entire Christian walk became about managing weight and sin. We call this sin management. And many believers have found themselves in similar boats. In laying these aside, if I only turn my eyes to Jesus and look upon Him I will see the direction I must go.

Imagine for a moment that you have taken a look at your life and realized that it has become very difficult to move and function. After a couple doctors visits and self-reflection, the old culprit of diet comes back into view. You know it is time to change things up. You get a large black trash bag, march into the pantry, and aggressively toss all the junk food away. You know it has been ruining your life and has taken years away from you. There may be hesitation with some of the items, but you still commit to cleaning house. You go through and purge it all. You take the trash bag and dump it in the dumpster. Returning to the house, you smile as you look at your cleaned out pantry. Having done that, your diet has begun! You feel accomplished and call it a day.

What is the problem with the above scenario? The food was never replaced! It is just empty space. And eventually, you're going to get hungry. We may do a sufficient job at cleaning everything out, but that does not mean that we are eating healthy. So the same for our spiritual walks. We may have sufficiently dealt with weights and sins in our life, but if we never look unto Jesus, we will never be able to run with the energy that is required of us. We remove these things so that we may clearly see Him. We remove these things so we may freely run to Him. But us, our weights, and our sins are not the focus. Jesus is the focus, and we must keep Him in view.

What lesson are you taking away?