CURRENT RADIO SERIES The Source of Our Strength   CURRENT TV SERIES At the Cross

“And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.” —Hebrews 11:39-40 We are called to courageous commitment to Jesus Christ.  Everyone who has trusted Christ as Savior is called into a battle, and at times it is not easy.  As a matter of fact, at times it is very difficult, and we face foes that we could not imagine. We face obstacles that are seemingly impossible. Sometimes we’re called upon, not to be passive, but to be proactive for the cause of Christ.  And when we do that, it requires commitment God uses a Hines 57 variety of people.  God uses garden-variety kinds of people, all kinds of people.  Some of the people that here in Hebrews chapter 11 were cultured, and others were very common.  Some were wealthy; some were not wealthy; some were very poor.  Some won great victory; some experienced great defeats. But God used all of these people in different ways and what brought them together and what put them in God’s Hall of Fame here in Hebrews 11 was their faith and their common commitment.  We are inspired by that commitment. God is not limited by our personalities.  God is not limited by our predicaments. God is not limited by our possessions or our lack of possessions.  God can do anything through people who are available to Him, because our God is the same.   GOD IS NOT LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHO JUST HAVE A GREAT ABILITY, HE’S LOOKING FOR AVAILABILITY. The Race Is Won Wednesday, March 27, 2019 by Dr. Paul Chappell “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, 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.” Hebrews 12:1–2 Over the years I’ve watched a number of different kinds of athletic competitions, both in person and on television. When I was young, Alvin Dark was a member of our church, so we got to go see the Oakland A’s team that he managed play baseball games (from really good seats). I’ve watched our children and now grandchildren at sporting events over the years. If you get there early enough, you will usually see members of the team or competitors getting ready by stretching and warming up for the event. But in all the years I’ve watched these events, I’ve never seen an athlete come back out on the field after the game or race ended to stretch and warm up. Jesus came to the world and lived a perfect life, completely fulfilling the will and purpose of His Father. He defeated Satan, died on the cross, and was resurrected after three days in the tomb. He settled forever the outcome with a resounding triumph. And the Bible tells us that when His work was completed, Jesus sat down. He is not “warming up” or getting ready, because the battle is over. We have not yet seen the final victory. We still face trials and temptations on a daily basis, and will as long as this life endures. But the outcome is settled. The seated Saviour is our guarantee that that battle has already been won. Today's Growth Principle:  Jesus Christ has already won the ultimate victory, and it is our responsibility to claim it and live in it.