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  • CLOUD OF WITNESSES

    Deanna BrooksWritten by Deanna Brooks, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

    “By faith” is repeated over and over in Hebrews 11 as the writer mentions people like us who were pleasing to God. Hebrews 12:1,2 follows with: “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 to 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.”

    When I read this, I think of a track meet. Perhaps the writer had in mind the story of the Athenian courier Pheidippides who, in 490 BC, ran from the site of the Battle of Marathon to Athens with the message of Nike (‘Victory’) before promptly collapsing and dying.

    In the days before telegraph and telephone a runner would be dispatched to carry news of an important battle back to the commander.

    “Run with endurance” is an important phrase. “Endurance” means the ability or strength to continue despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions… no matter how tired or whatever else was happening.

    Endurance was needed for the runner… and likewise, we have a race to run and need endurance. Encouragement enhances endurance, and that is why the “cloud of witnesses” is so important.

    Why do you think the writer of Hebrews tells us about the cloud of witnesses? In addition to encouragement, I see reassurance and confidence in God’s promises as some of the reasons.

    As disciples of Jesus the Christ, we are running the most important race in the world: a race to protect our souls from Satan.

    When I look at the people listed in Hebrews 11, I wonder why certain ones are mentioned and others are left out. There are names listed as people of faith that I probably would not have included, like Jephthah. Perhaps they are listed to reassure us of God’s mercy and remind us of the forgiveness when our heart is turned towards Him. Their names also remind us that one decision, no matter how bad, does not destroy our relationship with God forever.

    When I think of the cloud of witnesses, I add in the names of my loved ones who encouraged me while they were living, and those memories continue to encourage me now.

    All of us who have gone to sporting events remember the cheering that is part of those events. Track meets have people in the stands yelling, “Keep on! You can do it! Hang in there!” We have seen our children glance over into the stands and catch a second wind when they see us cheering for them.

    Life can be hard. It can bring the unexpected. It can bring heartache. It can bring suffering. This comes because we live in a fallen world, ruled by Satan.

    Jesus told His disciples in John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

    We need encouragement. Throughout Scripture we are told of people who encouraged. Aaron and Hur held up the hands of Moses during a battle. Jonathan encouraged David when King Saul was trying to kill him. Naaman’s slave girl encouraged him to wash in the Jordan River. Barnabas was called “Son of Encouragement” …and because he did not give up on John Mark, we have the beautiful gospel of Mark.

    When my sons were preschoolers, I made an 8-foot Bible timeline and put it on the wall above our couch. As I told them lessons from the Bible, I would show them when it occurred. At the end of the timeline, I put the cloud of witnesses and included family members that they heard us talk about but never knew. I would tell my sons about the godly lives of faith of those who had gone before and how their example of faithfulness was an encouragement to me growing up.

    The encouragement from the “cloud of witnesses” from Scripture or our cherished memories of family gives us strength to remain faithful and finish our race.

    Jesus said in John 12:31: “Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.”

    In 2 Corinthians 4:4 Satan is referred to as “the god of this world.”

    In 1529 Martin Luther penned these words to his hymn “A Mighty Fortress”:

    “And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us. We will not fear, for God has willed his truth to triumph through us.”

    God’s power is greater than Satan, and we have the example of those who have gone before us in faith and won the VICTORY!

    1 John 5:4 “And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

    The “cloud of witnesses” that encourages us because of their faith will be waiting to cheer as we hear our Redeemer say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matt. 25:23), and we enter into the joys of an eternal relationship with our Heavenly Father.

    #IronRoseSister #HIStories #cloudofwitnesses #Hebrews #endurance #encouragement #guestwriter #blog

  • Keep the Faith!

    Michelle Goff 320Written by Michelle J. Goff, founder and director of Iron Rose Sister Ministries

    We do not know who wrote the book of Hebrews. Considering his extensive knowledge of Jewish customs and practices, the author was most assuredly a Jew. Furthermore, he saw his Judaism as an opportunity to appreciate Christ more deeply as the fulfillment of all the Hebrew prophecies and the archetype for all foreshadowing in Hebrew teaching.

    When the Holy Spirit inspired this author to pen this letter to the Jews, his primary purpose was to provide assurances based in the Torah and the Prophets. His explanations are rooted in what we know as the Old Testament. His points regarding the supremacy of Christ emphasize the importance of keeping Christ at the center of everything. But why?

    The Hebrew audience had grown discouraged. They were doubting whether Jesus of Nazareth really was all of who He said He was. And not many years had yet passed since Jesus’ resurrection. It is traditionally believed that the book was written during the second half of the 1st century. This is less than one generation after Jesus had died.

    It doesn’t take long for us to get discouraged. And to forget. If we don’t intentionally remember, we will forget and lose faith. Therefore, we celebrate the God stories in our lives. We delight in sharing with others how living and active God is. We marvel at the power revealed through the stories of the Bible.

    The first nine and a half chapters of Hebrews set the stage for the primary encouragement of the letter: Keep the faith!

    Allow me a one-sentence summary of each chapter as a preamble to his greatest admonition to keep the faith.

    1. Superior to the angels, Jesus was the Son of God.
    2. Jesus was 100% God and 100% human.
    3. Worthy of a greater honor than Moses, Jesus is the faithful Son over God’s house.
    4. Jesus was the ultimate high priest and atonement for our sins.
    5. Please believe in Jesus, the source of eternal salvation.
    6. God is unchangeable and had this plan from the beginning.
    7. Jesus is the guarantor of a better covenant, living to intercede for us, a high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
    8. Jesus was perfect and is the mediator of the new covenant.
    9. Eternal redemption is possible through the blood shed by the perfect sacrifice, Christ.
    10. We are made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

    Yet no matter how much evidence there is, no matter how many arguments presented, there is no way to convince someone with total assurance about the Christ. Why? Because no one can believe without faith.

    When our faith wavers, we can reflect on God’s faithfulness. When we get discouraged, we can remember the times when Jesus was discouraged and looked to His Father.

    The author of Hebrews recognized that many Christian Jews had become discouraged, and their faith was teetering on the edge of giving up.

    He reminds his readers:


    19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

    After summarizing the first ten chapters in these three verses (10:19-21), the author begins his encouraging admonition to the Hebrews.

    22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb. 10:22-25)

    The solution?

    • Draw near to God. Don’t isolate.
    • Recognize the lies and remember our cleansing.
    • Hold onto hope. Let go of discouragement.
    • Remain faithful as God is faithful.
    • Encourage one another. We are not alone!
    • Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus (Heb. 12:1). Everything else pales in comparison.

    Which admonition from Hebrews is most encouraging and hope-filled for you today?

     

    #IronRoseSister #HIStories #keepthefaith #runtherace #eyesfixedonJesus #Hebrews #MichelleJGoff #blog

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