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Hebrews 12:2 - In Good Company Running with Jesus.

Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV) 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.  

COMMENTARY PEARLS

   I could just sense my middle school son 
Pierce rolling his eyes, embarrassed, and then his 
laughter. I was in my usual state during worship: eyes 
dosed, swaying, head thrown back, arms raised, lost 
in musical ecstasy. And singing. Loudly. Some 
readers of Mornings with Jesus have read about my 
stage fright, and how I struggled to even sing in 
the pews. I couldn't just relax and worship 
unreservedly. Then, after mustering the courage to sing 
with the choir at our former church, we 
eventually joined a church that didn't have a choir. 
Instead, they have an anointed worship team that 
composes and sings great contemporary music. The 
music routinely brings me and others to tears. 
   Until now, I'd only attended churches 
where gentle swaying was the standard of worship. 
But at my new church, the worship is passionate 
and there's a cluster of believers planted at 
the front who are very animated in their praise, 
raising their hands and singing with glee. My stage 
fright held me back until I finally got a clear 
word from God: Jesus bore my shame. In fact, He 
despised it. 
   I think of the uninhibited way little 
kids dance and sing and of King David's unbridled 
worship, full of joy. Now I, too, despise the shame 
that's held me back from so many things, including 
worshipping my King: Jesus. Jesus is worthy of my 
praise. Isabella Yosuico 
   Faith Step: Has shame been holding you 
back from being the person God created you to be? 
Ask Jesus to remove it. [Mornings With Jesus 
2021 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] 

   It was a typical Sunday morning at our 
church - except for one thing: two spaces down sat 
a man I hadn't seen in a long time. It's not 
that he hadn't wanted to worship with our church 
family, but he'd been incarcerated for seven years. 
This was his first Sunday of freedom. 
   I saw everything that morning through his 
eyes. The smiles and hugs and tears that greeted 
him, grateful of his return. The new prayers for 
him as he moved from serving Jesus behind bars 
to serving "at large." The way every lyric of 
the worship songs and every Scripture passage 
seemed divinely orchestrated to remind us of 
freedom in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit 
to help us live day to day. 
   The joy on his face reflected what must 
have felt like finally drawing a deep breath 
after so long in the "grave" of his circumstances, 
and I couldn't help but consider the 
inexpressible joy of the moment when Jesus drew His first 
breath after His resurrection. 
   Suffocated by the weight of our sins, 
Jesus conquered death to breathe and worship anew. 
What was the reason for the joy on His face? Us. 
He'd successfully purchased our freedom and 
future. Within a short time, He'd return to the 
right hand of His Father. But before then, He had 
another assignment - showing Himself to His 
followers, even those who let doubts creep in. 
   He knew we earth dwellers would find our 
joy in His very presence. The plan worked. He 
gave up His life for ours and then breathed 
again. Imagine how loudly He sang on His first 
Sabbath of freedom! by Cynthia Ruchti 
   Faith Step: What's your favorite 
"freedom" worship song? Sing it from your heart, as if 
you've been liberated just moments ago. That's the 
kind of joy worth maintaining every day. 
[Mornings With Jesus 2021 Devotional by Guideposts and 
Zondervan] 

CLOSING PEARL

In Focus
   When I was in high school, I went out for 
track and field. I was a fairly decent 
short-distance runner, but I was horrible at long-distance 
runs. What's more, I hated to practice. But if I 
happened to see a pretty girl in the grandstands, I 
found new motivation for running my best. 
   As we run this race of life, we have a 
better motivation than I had in high school. We run 
for an audience of one: Jesus Christ. He is 
watching us. He is praying for us. In fact, the Bible 
tells us that He lives forever to intercede for us 
(see Hebrews 7:25, NLT). 
   This is what gave young Stephen courage 
when he stood before his accusers who were ready 
to put him to death. Full of the Holy Spirit, 
he was given a glimpse of Jesus in heaven and 
said, "Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son 
of Man standing in the place of honor at God's 
right hand!" (Acts 7:56, NLT). Seeing Jesus gave 
Stephen the ability to run the race and finish it. 
Seeing Jesus also gave Simon Peter the ability to 
walk on water. As he kept the Lord in sight, He 
did the impossible. 
   It's so important for us to keep our eyes 
on Jesus. Why? Because circumstances will 
disappoint and, at times, devastate us. People will let 
us down and will fall short of our 
expectations. Feelings will come and go. But Jesus always 
will be there to cheer us on. 
   He has run before you, He is the ultimate 
winner, and He will show you how to run. But you 
have to keep looking to Him. [Every Day with 
Jesus by Greg Laurie] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE

Hebrews 12:2 - In Good Company Running With 
Jesus. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201010-1257.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Steps to Peace by Billy Graham: 
https://stepstopeace.org/ 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study 
Guides: 
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible 

Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/  

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657  

Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The 
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE