We are two days away from the beginning of a new year. Have you downloaded the 2014 Bible Reading Guide? Click on link and join me in reading through God’s Word: 

Going the Distance

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. Hebrews 12:1-2

We are about to embark on the new year – 2014. Our theme for the past year has been JOY IN THE JOURNEY – Walking in the promises of God. And what a year it has been.

Our theme verse (see below) was Acts 20:24 and I trust that many of you committed it to memory. Our theme for 2014 is GOING THE DISTANCE and our theme verse is Hebrews 12:1-2.

When we picked the theme and theme verse, we didn’t make the connection at the time as to how beautifully this year’s theme and theme verse tie into last year’s.

The thrust of last year’s verse was to “finish our race with joy.” And as I was beginning to memorize our 2014 verse, it struck me that our 2014 verse fleshes out how to live out Acts 20:24.

If we are going to finish our race with joy,  there are three things we need to do:

1.)         Lay aside the weights and sin in our lives

2.)         Run with endurance

3.)         Keep our eyes on Jesus

Over the course of the next several weeks, I will try and unpack the rich treasures of Hebrews 12:1-2 to help us think about “GOING THE DISTANCE.”

For starters can I challenge you to begin memorizing Hebrews 12:1-2? I found a great app to help with Scripture memorization. Check out Scripture Typer. It is a great tool and it’s free!!!

Let me know if you download the app. Have a blessed day.

Going the distance with Jesus,

Bill Welte
President/CEO America’s Keswick

Daily Bible Reading: Zechariah 13-14; Luke 24:1-35

Quote of the day: No one who has not tried it would believe how many difficulties are cleared out of a man’s road by the simple act of trying to follow Christ. Alexander MacLaren

Verse to Memorize: “But none of these things move me, nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24