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Hebrews 12:1, 2 ( KJV)

1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

 2  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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. {author: or, beginner}

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Last week we mentioned that life is generally more like a marathon than a sprint.

To know this is a great advantage in life. Take actor Paul Newman, for example. Most of us would consider Newman to be a gifted man!  He has enjoyed a superb career as an actor, and when he took up auto racing as a hobby, he proved to be extremely capable at that. Some people are just born with a lot of ability. Right? Not according to Newman.

When he talks about his successes, he describes early failures and lots of hard work. He says of himself, "I don't have a gift for anything. I've only had a gift of pursuit."  That is a gift I would recommend to us all: the gift of pursuit

(1).

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According to Stedman (2) the secret of persistence is in this phrase, "looking unto Jesus." The word means "looking away unto Jesus." Look at these men and women of faith in Hebrews 11, yes, but then look away unto Jesus. Why? Because he is the author and finisher of our faith. He can begin it and he can end it, complete it. He is the pioneer, he has gone on ahead. He is also the perfecter of faith. He himself ran the race. He laid aside every weight, every tie of family and friends. Every restraining hand he brushed aside that he might resolutely walk with God. He set his face against the popular sin of unbelief and walked on in patient perseverance, trusting the Father to work everything out for him. He set the example.

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In the Amplified Bible the first part of Hebrews 12: 2 reads as follows:-

" Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus..."

This reminds me of one of the first sermons I heard as a born again Christian; it was a 3 part sermon with these points :-

1. Look away from the situation or circumstances.

2. Look at God's promises.

3. Praise the Lord.

I heard it said in another place the quickest way to go under is to concentrate on the trial itself!

As long as your printer connected to your computer is running smoothly, it' s a blessing. However, if it suddenly breaks down and stops, it becomes a burden. Suddenly, in the natural all of your attention may be focused on that printer.

The answer is:" Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus..."

Similarly, other things can break down one being a person' s physical body. While the body was working right it was a blessing but if broken down it can be a different situation.

The answer is:" Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus..."

Another common prayer request item is restoration of broken down finances. When a person tries to fix their finances with carnal answers, the burden can grow worse rather than better.

The answer is:" Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus..."

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1. Papalou, "Faith For the Long Term" (2003)
2. Stedman, Ray, "The Epistle to the Hebrews: Series I (1965).

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