Run by Faith

The Call to Run The book of Hebrews encourages believers not to drift but to run with purpose. Chapter 12 opens with the word "therefore," linking it to the testimonies of faith in chapter 11. These faith heroes, though commended, did not receive the promise fully—because God's plan was to perfect all believers together. This truth compels us to throw off what holds us back and run the race set before us with perseverance, not aimlessly, but fixing our eyes on Jesus.

The Challenge of Spiritual Drift The early church, like many today, had grown spiritually sluggish. The writer of Hebrews urges us to mature in faith, move from spiritual milk to solid food, and not be content with superficial faith. God's people are called to live transformed lives—not coasting or drifting, but pressing forward, strengthened by God's Spirit, growing in holiness and purpose.

The Motivation of the Cloud of Witnesses Surrounded by the stories of saints who lived by faith, we are cheered on by a great cloud of witnesses. Their lives testify that we can endure, overcome, and finish the race. Their faith-filled endurance encourages us to let go of both sin and distractions—not just obvious wrongs, but anything that hinders our walk with Christ.

Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus Our greatest motivation is Jesus Himself. He endured the cross and now reigns in glory. He is our model, our source of strength, and the joy set before us. Let us run with eyes fixed on Him, knowing our perseverance is part of God's cosmic plan to perfect His people together. Like Paul, may we someday say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

This week, evaluate your race. Are you running with endurance or walking with distraction? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you identify and remove the weights and sins that hinder you. Recommit to spiritual growth, to gathering with other believers, and to pressing forward by faith. The cloud of witnesses is cheering you on—and Jesus is waiting at the finish line.

The Ascension of Christ

As Memorial Day approaches and Ascension Day follows close behind, we find ourselves remembering not only those who have gone before us but also the moment Christ ascended to heaven, leaving His disciples with lasting promises. In Acts 1:1-11, Jesus says goodbye not with sadness, but with power, purpose, and peace. His final earthly moments were not filled with finality, but with direction — promises for a life shaped by God's sovereignty, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and purposed toward spreading the Good News. The Ascension reminds us that our story doesn't end with Christ's departure, but begins anew in His commissioning.

The first promise Jesus left with His disciples is this: God has everything under control. While the disciples were focused on when Jesus would restore Israel, He redirected their attention to trust in God's timing. We are not called to figure out the divine calendar but to be faithful in our calling. Jesus' parting words remind us that God is never surprised, never absent, and always in command — even when the world feels like it's spinning out of control. We are invited to live not in fear or confusion, but in confidence that God's plan is unfolding, and our job is to be faithful in the meantime.

Jesus also promised a better life through the power of the Holy Spirit. He told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Spirit to come, and that through Him they would receive power. That same Spirit is available to us today — to give us new life, guide us daily, cleanse and sanctify us, teach us to pray, unify us as a Church, and transform us into Christ's image. The Christian life isn't just one of belief, but of transformation. Through the Spirit, we are not only saved — we are made new.

And finally, Jesus promised His disciples — and us — a mission. Empowered by the Spirit, we are called to be His witnesses, not only in our own towns but to the ends of the earth. This means stepping out of our comfort zones, embracing boldness, and letting our lives and testimonies declare God's goodness. Our witness doesn't have to be flashy or polished — it simply has to be real, Spirit-led, and shared. God works through everyday conversations, quiet faithfulness, and moments of courage.

As we reflect on the Ascension and Jesus' final earthly words, let us move from remembrance to response. This week, take time to ask yourself: Where do I need to trust God's timing more deeply? Am I living with the power of the Holy Spirit guiding me? And who in my life is God calling me to share His love and hope with? Whether it's a friend, a coworker, or a stranger at the store — let your life be a testimony. The same Spirit that raised Christ is alive in you. Walk in that power, speak in that truth, and live out that calling with boldness and grace.

Getting Along When It’s Not Easy

Relationships can be a challenge—even in the church. While it's not hard to love a gracious and sacrificial God, it's much more difficult to love people who are selfish, rude, or unkind. Scripture is filled with guidance for how we're to interact with others, especially when they push our buttons. Jesus didn't just call us to love God; He commanded us to love one another—even our enemies. Paul echoed this in his letters, urging believers to live peacefully, respect one another, and treat others with patience and kindness, even when it's hard.

This Mother's Day message reminds us that a healthy church is not built on personal preferences or avoiding difficult people—it's built on love, mutual respect, and shared purpose. When we make it about ourselves, division follows. But when we shift our focus back to God, we begin to live in harmony. The church isn't a social club or a place to be catered to—it's a mission outpost. As Paul writes, we are to encourage the timid, care for the weak, and be patient with everyone. These aren't just nice ideas—they're commands rooted in the heart of God.

The church's mission is clear: reach the lost, love the broken, and reflect Christ to the world. That means choosing encouragement over judgment, peace over payback, and grace over resentment. Yes, people are messy. Yes, they'll sometimes wound us. But Jesus set the example by loving even those who rejected Him. Our calling is to walk that same road—to stretch out a hand to the struggling, to pray in the dark, and to model the life of Christ, even when it's inconvenient.

At the end of the day, the only way we'll live in unity is to tune our lives to Christ, not to one another's demands or personalities. We can't do this in our own strength—but when we surrender our pride, align ourselves with Jesus, and die to self, we discover a harmony that transforms relationships. So how do we deal with difficult people? By remembering: it's not about us—it's about God.

God's Amazing Love

God's Love in the Midst of Despair
There are moments in life when we find ourselves asking, Does God still love me? Has He forgotten me? The people of Judah, after being conquered and exiled by Babylon, wrestled with the same questions. Their world had fallen apart—Jerusalem destroyed, the temple gone, families separated, and hope shattered. Isaiah 49 paints a vivid picture of that pain, yet it also delivers a powerful word from God: "I have not forgotten you." Even in our lowest, most broken places, God's presence does not vanish—He walks with us through the fire, never abandoning us.

A Love Greater Than Any Other
Through Isaiah, God uses a tender and unexpected image: "Can a mother forget the child at her breast?" Even if such unthinkable abandonment happened, God declares, "I will never forget you." This is not a distant or abstract love—it's personal, nurturing, and fierce. God's love is not weakened by our failures or distanced by our pain. It's not based on what we've earned. Rather, it is rooted in who He is: a God who is faithful, even when we falter, and a God who chooses us again and again.

Our Names Engraved on His Hands
Perhaps the most striking promise in this passage is when God says, "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." Like a permanent mark, a love that leaves a scar—this speaks prophetically to the sacrifice of Christ. The wounds on Jesus' hands are not just reminders of pain; they are eternal evidence of how deeply God loves us. Our names, our lives, our stories—they're not forgotten. They're etched into the hands of a Savior who died for us and rose again, proving once and for all that nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Held, Not Abandoned
In seasons of hardship—whether it's loss, fear, sickness, or despair—it may feel like we're walking through exile. But the truth of Isaiah 49 remains: God has not abandoned us. His love is active, enduring, and always near. We may not escape pain in this fallen world, but we never walk through it alone. God's amazing love chases us, surrounds us, and sustains us. It is a love so powerful that it sent His Son to the cross and forever carved our names into His hands. No matter what you're facing, know this—you are loved, and you are not forgotten.