Daily Devotional
What are you prepared to give up?
“Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, et us lay aside every weight…”
Hebrews 12:1a
July 21, 2020
Ponder This
If you’re going to run a race, how do you prepare? First, you lay the weights aside. Notice athletes. They run in very light clothing. The less weight, the better. One thing you’ll never see is someone in the Olympics running in an overcoat. It’s not going to happen. They get as light as they possibly can. You have to lay aside every weight.
The Greek word weight doesn’t mean something sinful. It just means something that burdens you…that holds you down. There are some things that are not bad in themselves. There’s nothing wrong with an overcoat. You just don’t wear an overcoat when you’re running a race. Paul said: “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful” (1 Corinthians 6:12).
Friend, it may be some recreational habit you have. It may be some cottage in the woods. It may be some acquaintance, some hobby, too much television or sleep. Paul is saying, “Some things may be lawful for me, but if it’s not expedient, if it doesn’t speed me on my course, then I need to lay it aside and leave it alone.”
Practice This
Ask yourself, “Is there something in my life that’s hindering my walk with Christ? Something holding me back, excess baggage keeping me from being all I ought to be for the Lord Jesus Christ? Whatever it is, if you want to win the race, lay it aside. Good things become bad things when they keep you from the best things.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
