(Hebrews 12:1 NLT)Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
** For when you are disappointed with your life . . .
* “Let God write YOUR STORY.” *
( Hebrews 12:2 NKJV) looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,. ..
√ God SEARCHES for you to be in His story.
(Joshua 2:1 NIV) Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.
(John 15:16 NLT) You didn’t choose me. I chose you. . . .
√ God always MAKES A WAY for us to be in His story.
(Joshua 2:17-21 NIV) Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them. But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.” “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.
(Romans 8:28 NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
√ God’s story always has a REDEMPTIVE ending!
(Matthew 1:3, 5-6 NIV) Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, … Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, … David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife…
1. “God invites you into His story — JOIN HIM.”
(John 8:12 NIV) Jesus spoke … to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
(Luke 9:23-24 NIV) Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.
2. “God wants you to love with actions — SERVE HIM.”
(1 John 3:16-18 NIV) This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
3. ”God signs His name to your story — THANK HIM.”
(1 Timothy 1:15-17 NLT) This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”–and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.
