Life's a Trip!

I began a new message series yesterday, "Life's a Trip! Who's Your Guide?". It's a look at Hebrews 12:1-2, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Yesterday I focused in on "let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..." I encouraged everyone to get in the race of following Jesus, not matter where they are on the course. Some are in the race and need encouragement. Others have quit, gone down the wrong road, or are simply watching from the sidelines.

However, one thing that I could have been more clear about, is what to do when you feel like you've gone down the wrong road so long and too many times? Can God still accept us back into the race for abundant life? The answer from the Bible is a resounding "Yes!". 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he (Jesus) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The Apostle Paul writes about himself, "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:12-14) Don't let guilt keep you from getting back in the race. Jesus, our coach, stands ready to forgive and welcome us back.

The upcoming messages in this series are:
April 22 - "Who's Your Guide? - Jesus as Coach"
April 29 - Kent Odor from Cincy Vineyard will be speaking about community
May 6 - "Pack Light - Setting Aside Every Hindrance"