Your Heavenly Cheering Squad

Your Heavenly Cheering Squad

BY RICK WARREN — OCTOBER 17, 2014

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“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1 NLT)

Home field advantage can mean everything in sports. Teams who are at home often have a far better record than those on the road. When a team has someone cheering them on, they can often outplay their ability.

The Bible says that you, too, have an audience cheering you on. Hebrews 12:1 says,“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us” (NLT).

Nothing you do is private. You have an audience. Heaven is watching. But, more importantly, you have a cheering section. The Bible says that everyone in Heaven is cheering you on.

You probably realize that God knows everything. The Bible says “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth” (2 Chronicles 16:9 KJV). The Lord doesn’t miss a thing. He knows your ups and your downs — your everything. He knows every thought you have.

But you’re also surrounded by "a huge cloud of witnesses to this life of faith.” Moses is watching you. Abraham is watching you. Every believer who has ever lived is in the stands watching you live out your faith.

And they’re cheering you on. When you’re scared, they’re rooting for you to be courageous. When you want to give up, they’re urging you to keep going. When you feel insignificant and forgotten, they’re in your corner.

Talk It Over

• What does understanding that God knows your ups and downs change for you?
• Who do you think is among your cloud of witnesses? Are there friends or family who have gone on before you?

The Greatness of His Favor

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us…raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."
(Ephesians 2:4-7, NKJV)

TODAY'S WORD:

Oftentimes, people set their focus on what God has done in the past—how He parted the Red Sea or stopped the sun for Joshua or fed thousands of people with just a little boy’s small lunch. Yes, God has performed many amazing miracles throughout history. And it’s important that we give Him praise, but at the same time, we also have to look forward to what God wants to do in our lives today. 

In today’s verse, Paul says that “in the ages to come” God would do things that exceed anything He’s ever done before. I believe that the “ages to come” is this day and time we’re living in right now. God wants to outdo Himself in our generation! 

Remember, God is a God of increase. Where you are today is not where you are supposed to stay. He has greater levels of His favor and blessing in store for your future. Dare to dream big! Dare to keep a God-sized vision in front of you! Dare to take hold of every spiritual blessing He has in store for you!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for showing me Your love. Today I open my heart and mind to You so that I can see the greatness of what You want to do in my life. Use me for Your glory in Jesus’ name. Amen.

PS... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgXL3y9RIbI