(You) got to have faith!

A hymn, some verses, a few thoughts...

Isaac Watts

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ my God!

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,

Sorrow and love flow mingled down!

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

His dying crimson, like a robe,

Spreads o’er His body on the tree;

Then I am dead to all the globe,

And all the globe is dead to me.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

The writer wants us to be motivated to endure in our run with Jesus this fall the same way Jesus was sustained his painful run. Verse 2: ". . . fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross.." It is not a morally defective thing to be sustained in the marathon of life by the joy of triumph at the end. The reward of seeing God and being free from all sin is the greatest incentive of all.

So if it seems that there are going to be some temporary losses when you run this race with Jesus, you are right. That is why Jesus said to count the cost (Luke 14:25-33) before you sign on. But the marathon of the Christian life is not mainly loss. It is mainly gain. "For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross." It is only a matter of timing. If you see things with the eyes of God, there is a vapor's breath of loss and pain, and then everlasting joy (2 Corinthians 4:17).

When you take your day away, with Bible and tablet, to plan your fall run with Jesus, think on this; think on this: the sufferings of this present age are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed to the children of God (Romans 8:18).So let us lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with Jesus. - John Piper

So yeah, this is how I have been using my time today. :) Thanks to Anna I have had these verses stuck in my head all day. I have always loved these verses since memorizing them in AWANA (that is why I posted them in the NKJV today because that is what I am used to see them in - I also love the way words sound and flow in the King James). They are especially a good reminder to me right now, since it is nearing the end of the semester and I need to be reminded to press on and continue in the work that I am doing. God has me here for a reason and I it is a huge privilge to be at UMD. I have really enjoyed most of my time here. I can't wait for next semester to come. **sidenote: Some professor is smoking his pipe two benches over from mine... I hate the smell of cigerattes and cigars, but pipe smoke is different. It is a much sweeter smell and I don't mind it at all. I don't feel like coughing. But still I have no desire to smoke. ** Anyhow, I have to go do some studying.