<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!-- generator="wordpress/2.1" -->
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd"
	xmlns:dtvmedia="http://participatoryculture.org/RSSModules/dtv/1.0"
	xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"
>

<channel>
	<title>DEEPERDEVOTION.com</title>
	<link>http://deeperdevotion.com</link>
	<description>Delivered Monday through Friday, our daily devotions are the perfect companion to your time in the Word. Biblical, consistent, and with over three years of back content, DEEPERDEVOTION.com is a great resource for everyone. Check us out on the web at www.deeperdevotion.com</description>
	<pubDate>Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:16:43 +0000</pubDate>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1</generator>
	<language>en</language>
		<!-- podcast_generator="podPress/7.7" -->
		<copyright>&#xA9;DEEPERDEVOTION.com </copyright>
		<managingEditor>office@deeperdevotion.com (DEEPERDEVOTION.com)</managingEditor>
		<webMaster>office@deeperdevotion.com</webMaster>
		<category>Devotions</category>
		<ttl>1440</ttl>
		<itunes:keywords>devotions, bible, devotion, god, youth, deeperdevotions, deeper devotions, church</itunes:keywords>
		<itunes:subtitle>Daily Devotions from DEEPERDEVOTION.com</itunes:subtitle>
		<itunes:summary>Delivered Monday through Friday, our devotions are the perfect companion to your time in the Word. Biblical, consistent, and with over three years of back content, DEEPERDEVOTION.com is a great resource for everyone. Check us out on the web at www.deeperdevotion.com</itunes:summary>
		<itunes:author>DEEPERDEVOTION.com</itunes:author>
		<itunes:category text="Religion &amp; Spirituality"/>
<itunes:category text="Religion &amp; Spirituality">
  <itunes:category text="Christianity"/>
</itunes:category>
<itunes:category text="Religion &amp; Spirituality">
  <itunes:category text="Spirituality"/>
</itunes:category>
		<itunes:owner>
			<itunes:name>DEEPERDEVOTION.com</itunes:name>
			<itunes:email>office@deeperdevotion.com</itunes:email>
		</itunes:owner>
		<itunes:block>No</itunes:block>
		<itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
		<itunes:image href="http://deeperdevotion.com/wp-content/themes/dd/images/podcast_300.jpg" />
		<image>
			<url>http://deeperdevotion.com/wp-content/themes/dd/images/podcast_small.jpg</url>
			<title>DEEPERDEVOTION.com</title>
			<link>http://deeperdevotion.com</link>
			<width>144</width>
			<height>144</height>
		</image>
		<item>
		<title>Dumb As Sheep</title>
		<link>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/777</link>
		<comments>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/777#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 21 May 2004 10:39:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Glenn Ansley</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Devotions]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">890647646</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Sheep are pretty dumb.  As a matter of fact, they almost totally incapable of taking care of themselves.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[by Scott Meier
Psalm 23:1
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
Sheep are pretty dumb.  As a matter of fact, they almost totally incapable of taking care of themselves.  I remember when I worked in my first church there was a family that raised sheep.  They had many stories of how the sheep would get tangled up in the fence or would get lost in a grove of trees in the pasture.  Not being able to find there way out, especially at night, this family shared how they would be awakened by the sound of the sheep crying in the night.
In the twenty-third Psalm, the Psalmist is comparing himself, and ultimately you and I, to sheep.  It was an analogy that was probably a bit of an insult to those who heard it many years ago, for they would have been well aware what he was saying is we are all incapable of taking care of ourselves.  So incapable, in fact, that we all need a shepherd.
In John 10:11, Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd.  Again basically reminding those who hear these words that we are incapable of taking care of ourselves.  In the previous verse, John 10:10, Jesus has just stated that He came to bring us a full and abundant life.  That life, that a relationship with Christ offers, is one we cannot get any other way.  Just like a shepherd tending to his flock, Jesus came to tend to us and to our needs:  Our needs today and our needs eternal.
It is so easy for you and I to get tangled up in a life of sin and to find ourselves so lost all we can is cry out.  It is at those moments that Jesus comes rushing to our aid and to our side.
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/777/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Control Freaks and the Yoke of Christ</title>
		<link>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/774</link>
		<comments>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/774#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 20 May 2004 11:05:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Glenn Ansley</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Devotions]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">88825241</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Most of my life is marked by things that I have absolutely no control over. Although I have prided myself on being a man in control of his surroundings, the truth is I am not.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[by  Jeff Fields
Marked by the &#8220;otherness&#8221; of God
Matt 11:27-30
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.  &#8220;For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.
Most of my life is marked by things that I have absolutely no control over. Although I have prided myself on being a man in control of his surroundings, the truth is I am not. Something happened today that although it may seem as insignificant to some, it gave me a sense of desperation. Like there was absolutely nothing I could do to change the outcome. I made calls, felt like I had been wronged, misused and just a number. Nothing helped. There was nothing I could do.  the feeling in the pit of my stomach was heavy&#8230;it hurt&#8230;I felt cheated&#8230;then I remembered.
I am not sure I have ever controlled anything. My ego tells me I have always been in control. Today Jesus reminded me that He has always been in control. Every thing that has ever come my way has first passed through His hand. He has never left me with out a covering, with out place to go, with out love and with out understanding.
As I fell on my face this afternoon crying out to this wonderful God, these words flowed from my mouth; &#8220;my sustenance comes from you oh God. What others do, what others say, where others lead, matters not. For in you and you alone salvation is found. Rest and security comes from your strong right hand, mercy flows from your throne, holiness surrounds you&#8230;and you invite me to find my rest in you.&#8221;
The awesome thing about knowing God is that He knows me. Knows my fear, knows my weakness, my heart. And in spite of that, He offers rest. 
Rest oh my soul, rest in the arms of the one who loves you and gave Himself for you. Wow. Can you say amen? I can&#8230;Amen!
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/774/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>What&#8217;s More Valuable?</title>
		<link>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/771</link>
		<comments>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/771#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 19 May 2004 03:30:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Glenn Ansley</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Devotions]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">1851149249</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On their way to church on Sunday, my husband and two of his friends saw a stray puppy on the side of the road...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[by Kristie Ansley
Proverbs 31:20
She extends her hand to the poor; and she stretches out her hands to the needy.
On their way to church on Sunday, my husband and two of his friends saw a stray puppy on the side of the road.  Concerned for the dog&#8217;s safety, they pulled over, got out of the car, and tried to call the dog to them.  The dog immediately took off into the woods that border the road. Since they had no chance of catching up with him, and had to get to church, they got back in the car and continued on. 
Later that day, Glenn and I were heading out on the same road and we decided to check and see if the dog could possibly still be there.  As we neared the area, we saw the puppy standing on the small hill Glenn had seen him on earlier.  As soon as we got out of the car, he took off back into the woods.  By this point, we began to be concerned that no one was looking for this poor little puppy and that he would likely face the night in the woods all alone and possibly become prey to whatever else lurked behind the dense foliage.  We weren&#8217;t geared up for a hike and we had no idea where he could have run to so we gave up and headed home.
I take the same road in to work, so on Monday morning I decided to check for him.  No sign of him.  On my way home on Monday, I decided to leave some food out at the place where we had seen him and see if he would come out.  I waited for several minutes and gave up, figuring someone had picked him up.  Just in case he was still alive, though, I left some food for him.  
On my way into work Tuesday morning, I checked to see if the food was still there- it was gone.  As I was pulling away, I was almost sure I saw a puppy-like figure bolt into the woods.  In case this was him, I left some more food and checked back on my way home from work- it too was gone.  By this point, I was extremely concerned.  This poor puppy had been in the woods for at least three days now and was probably dehydrated and exhausted.  I left some food out and parked to monitor it.
As I was sitting there, I began the think to myself about how sorry I felt for this poor, helpless little puppy.  And then the thought occurred to me, there are millions of people in the world that are starving and I hardly bat an eye, yet when I see a puppy in danger, I am willing to give up my time and energy to ensure his safety.  What must God think of my extreme confusion of values?!  He must despise my level of concern for needy people and be enraged over the fact that I care more for a dog than a starving child in India.
Unfortunately, the puppy never emerged.  I will probably check for him again tomorrow morning, but this conviction has caused some serious evaluation for me.  I want to be a woman of God and I want my heart to be like His, but I am so often so far from what I should be.  I would like to be a Proverbs 31 woman and yet, my hand rarely extends to the poor and I never &#8220;stretch&#8221; out my hand to the needy.  I am praying today that God would show me the needy as He sees them, and that He will grant me a heart like His.
Lord, only You can take a wretched human heart and make it truly love.  Grant me Your vision to see the world as You do and grant me Your grace to step outside of myself.
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/771/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Where&#8217;s the Respect?</title>
		<link>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/768</link>
		<comments>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/768#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 May 2004 03:01:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Glenn Ansley</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Devotions]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">2048543134</guid>
		<description><![CDATA["If God created it, why can't I smoke it? God obviously gave me the desire for sex, so why should I wait?"]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[by Glenn Ansley
1 Corinthians 6:12
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.
&#8220;If God created it, why can&#8217;t I smoke it?&#8221;
&#8220;God obviously gave me the desire for sex, so why should I wait?&#8221;
There is and endless source of similar justifications being used by you and your friends on a daily basis. Many of you justify your actions out of selfish want. Some of you do it out of ignorance. Romans 7:6 reads, &#8220;But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.&#8221; If you are a believer, both this verse and 1 Corinthians 6:12 applies to you. They don&#8217;t, however, give you the freedom to do whatever you want. In fact, they give to you an even greater responsibility: the duty to glorify God in everything you do.
I challenge you to apply the second and fourth clauses of 1 Cor. 6:12. First of all, &#8220;Not all things are profitable.&#8221; It&#8217;s important to recognize Paul doesn&#8217;t include the words &#8220;for me&#8221; after his saying. That&#8217;s because Paul is no longer at the center of the equation, God is. 
This principle must be the subject of the first question you ask for every decision you make. 
&#8220;Will God be glorified if I do this?&#8221; 
Not, &#8220;Will I get in trouble?&#8221; 
But only, &#8220;Will God be glorified in my actions?&#8221; 
The second question that should be asked is, &#8220;Will I be mastered by this? Have I become a slave to this habit?&#8221; If the answer to either of these is yes, you must determine not to go any further in what you are doing&#8230; regardless of who said it was okay, how fun it will be, or how popular you will become.
All things truly are lawful for the Christian, but not all things are profitable for the glory of God. Isn&#8217;t it about time you started thinking more about God than yourself?
Your greatest downfall isn&#8217;t a lack of obedience towards the law; it&#8217;s a lack of respect towards the Lord.
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/768/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Pain Next Door</title>
		<link>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/764</link>
		<comments>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/764#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 May 2004 11:07:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Glenn Ansley</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Devotions]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">725012243</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Friends and family battle a multitude of inflictions. Seldom, however, do we look past our own pain to help those next door...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[by Glenn Ansley
Proverbs 24:12
If you say, &#8220;See, we did not know this,&#8221; does He not consider it who weights the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work?
&#8220;I didn&#8217;t know.&#8221; But you did, and try as you might, ignoring it will never change the fact that you knew. Friends and family battle a multitude of inflictions. Depression, guilt, loneliness and suffering taunt us all on a daily basis. Seldom, however, do we look past our own pain to help those next door; even further from our minds are the sufferings of strangers. We rush them by every day of our lives. We know they are staggering, barely holding on, but we resist their need for deliverance. If we don&#8217;t notice, it isn&#8217;t our responsibility.
When will we realize that our self-deception, while beneficial now, will not hold up on the day of the Lord? Have we honestly forgotten that He has the ability to weigh our hearts and to know our souls? &#8220;I didn&#8217;t know&#8221; will not pass the Lord&#8217;s test on that day. Our selfish works, governed by the lies of ignorance, will be burned up like chaff when tested with His fire (I Corinthians 3:12-15). I challenge you to reevaluate your response to &#8220;those who are being taken away to death, and those who are staggering to slaughter&#8221; (Proverbs 24:11). It is concerning our response to these that Solomon warns, &#8220;Will he not render to man according to his work? (24:12). 
Just as we are without excuse to our response, so are we to our obligation. The Scriptures make it abundantly clear that it is our duty to assist those in need. Christ illustrates this importance through the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37). Romans 15:1 commands us, &#8220;Those who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.&#8221; James 2:8 reminds us that we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Not even our enemy, if he is hungry or thirsty, should be ignored. As children of God, we are to imitate the heart of Jesus. It is our responsibility to care for everyone need, even our enemies (Romans 12:20). 
I wonder how many times we have blown by those in desperate need of comfort because of our own selfishness. I am frightened to know that one day I will be held responsible for the lack of compassion I&#8217;ve shown to strangers, friends and family. How many times have you received encouragement and support from both those closest to you, and complete strangers? When was the last time you meditated on how Jesus reached out to you in your greatest season of need? It is my guess that even today you know of someone who could use encouragement or physical assistance. I challenge you to put off helping them no longer. Not only is it the right thing to do, but also it&#8217;s what we have been commanded to do by our Savior. When you stand before the Lord, will you be commended for your compassion, or judged for your selfishness?
Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin (James 4:17).
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/764/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>No Ordinary Man</title>
		<link>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/763</link>
		<comments>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/763#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 14 May 2004 11:19:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Glenn Ansley</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Devotions]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">272491880</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As children of this God, it is our duty to imitate Him in all of His ways.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[by Glenn Ansley
Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions.
Thousands of Jews, foreigners and Roman centurions were descending upon the city of Jerusalem at one time. The number of inhabitants was more than doubled as faithful Jews, hopeful businessmen, and anxious Romans slowly made their way across scorching deserts of the southeast and the rocky terrain north of the city. It was the week of Passover, the most anticipated feast of the Jewish religion. Jews celebrated the remembrance of their freedom from slavery to the Egyptians. Foreign businessmen took advantage of the large numbers of people gathered in such a confined space, and the Roman army prepared for possible riots. It was the perfect setting for joint worship, quick money, and social upheaval. It was the perfect setting for God&#8217;s &#8220;fullness of time&#8221;.
Among the crowds that week was a small band of disciples who followed their faithful teacher into Jerusalem. For three years Jesus had been at the center of everything they did. He was their teacher, their provider, and their future king. Little did they know that He was days away from becoming the center of the greatest hatred and love they would ever witness. He entered into Jerusalem that week on a donkey, praised by the people. They had heard of the many miraculous signs and wonders He had been doing outside of Jerusalem. The crowds were correct in believing that He was the promised Christ, but mistaken in their understanding of what that meant. Along with His disciples, the Jewish people believed the coming Christ would save them from their Roman occupation and oppression. He would be a mighty king, compared to the greatness David. Jesus, however, came not to deliver Israel from Rome, but rather, the entire world from the curse of sin. 
Everyone in the city was not a supporter of Jesus though. The Jewish leaders were extremely threatened by the influence of Jesus over the crowds. They believed He was a distraction and danger to their highly evolved religion; they were correct. Seizing the opportunity, they shifted the opinion of the crowds and turned them against Jesus. Social tension mounted and the Lord&#8217;s plan for salvation was set in motion. Hatred and revenge began to rule the hearts of the people. They were no longer hailing Jesus as their savior and king, but rather, as an unstable man who threatening the well being of Israel. Encouraged by the Jewish leaders, this hatred became a mounting snowball, rolling downhill with vicious momentum. It continued to grow as not only the Jewish people and the their leaders were added to its size, but the Roman officials became engulfed in the situation. The ball finally came to an abrupt stop at the foot of a cross on the top of a hill. It was here that hatred had run its full course, ending in strife, upheaval, and the death of a man. This was no ordinary man though. He was also the Son of God, divinity in the flesh. As the proverb says, &#8220;Hatred may stir up strife, but love covers a multitude of sins!&#8221; What Satan meant for evil, God meant for good. More important than our Savior&#8217;s death was His resurrection from the dead three days later. His self-sacrificing love provided the power needed to cover a world of transgressions. 
As children of this God, it is our duty to imitate Him in all of His ways. I pray that you would follow the instruction of Proverbs 10:12 along with the example of Jesus Christ. Let love, rather than hatred, rule over your life.
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/763/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Your Recipe For Life</title>
		<link>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/760</link>
		<comments>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/760#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 13 May 2004 04:34:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Glenn Ansley</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Devotions]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">378086650</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There is this fantastic chocolate cake recipe that I have used for years. It was one I got from my mom...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[by Scott Meier
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
There is this fantastic chocolate cake recipe that I have used for years.  It was one I got from my mom, and it uses just a few ingredients, but the outcome is heavenly.  I misplaced the recipe when I moved a few months ago, but because I had made it many times, I assumed I remembered how to do it.  Lets just say my memory isn&#8217;t what it used to be, for the cake I pulled out of the oven was disgusting!
Scripture is the recipe for life, life today and life eternal.  In order for it to work in our lives we have to make sure we are keeping it handy and following what it says.  If we aren&#8217;t reading and studying Scripture on a regular basis, when we face struggles in life we will not have the proper ingredients to overcome.  To guess what the Bible says or to assume you know what it says is not enough.  One of the amazing things about the Bible is that no matter how many times you read it, study it, and memorize it, you can pick it up again and find something new.  I love that about the Bible.  No matter what I am struggling with in life, I can find what I need to know about the things I face.
I found the recipe this morning tucked away in a box of stuff I had not yet unpacked.  When I read it I realized I was way off when I tried to bake the cake without it.  
I know a lot of Christians who need to unpack, dust off, and open the Word of God, for it contains the recipe for life.
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/760/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>So That You May Not&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/759</link>
		<comments>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/759#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 May 2004 03:38:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Glenn Ansley</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Devotions]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">628066568</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Who are we to think that our pain, grief, embarrassment, or some simple stress could even hold a light to that which our Lord and Savior so willingly put Himself through for us!]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[By Glenn Ansley
Hebrews 12:3
For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.
For consider Him&#8230; Who are we to think that our pain, grief, embarrassment, or some simple stress could even hold a light to that which our Lord and Savior so willingly put Himself through for us!
&#8220;I&#8217;m tired.&#8221; So what? 
&#8220;Sunday&#8217;s the only day I have to myself.&#8221; You&#8217;re point?
&#8220;It&#8217;s embarrassing to pray for my lunch at school.&#8221; Christ hung naked on a cross for you!
What&#8217;s your excuse for taking your eyes off of Jesus? How do you justify your resistance to the Spirit&#8217;s conviction? Do you not yet realize that taking your eyes off of Christ is the very source of your discouragement? 
Jesus Christ died a gruesome and horrible death so that you might live eternally with Him. He has shown you the course you must run, He has claimed your victory through His accomplishment, and now you would dare to consider your &#8220;grieves&#8221; too great a hindrance to continue running?
Consider Him! Consider the suffering He&#8217;s overcome for your sake.
How dare you sit on the sideline and wallow in your self-made pit of despair. Stand up. Return your eyes once again to the greatness of Him who has given you life. Take claim of the strength your entitled through Him.
The very reason He endured such hostility was so that you wouldn&#8217;t grow weary or lose heart.
This is 3 of 3 in a series of devotions. See Also:
May 10, 2004: Run With Endurance
May 11, 2004: No Better Example
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/759/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>No Better Example</title>
		<link>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/758</link>
		<comments>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/758#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 11 May 2004 04:53:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Glenn Ansley</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Devotions]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">2059241244</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Encouragement always comes so much better from someone who&#039;s "been there and done that."]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[By Glenn Ansley
Hebrews 12:2
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Encouragement always comes so much better from someone who&#8217;s &#8220;been there and done that.&#8221; This truth is what makes Jesus Christ not only your greatest strength and nourishment in the midst of this race called life, but your ultimate example as well. 
It&#8217;s one thing to understand that you&#8217;ll never make it to the finish line without a sincere faith in Him. It&#8217;s a completely different ballgame once you realize that the very one you are putting your faith in is also the &#8220;author and pefecter&#8221; of that faith. His death on the cross created substance behind the faith of those listed in Hebrews 11. Furthermore, His death was a one-time, fully satisfying act of perfection. 
His death marked the perfect birth of a meaningful faith. As Paul illustrates, He now serves as our greatest example through three amazing acts of love. Hebrews 12:2 says that He joyfully: endured the cross, despised its shame, and then sat down at the right hand of the Father. 
The greatest of these is the fact that Jesus Christ, serving as our High Priest before God&#8230;  sat down. In the Old Testament, the job of the High Priest was never completed. He could offer sacrifices for the people&#8217;s sin, but there would always be the need to offer more. Not this time. Our Lord and Savior has run the race before you, taking on the guilt and the shame of your cross, despised it, and is now seated at the right hand of God. That is why you must keep your eyes on Him. 
Once you do, you&#8217;ll be amazed at what you find! (Eph 2:4-6).
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/758/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Run With Endurance</title>
		<link>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/754</link>
		<comments>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/754#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 10 May 2004 12:07:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Glenn Ansley</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Devotions]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">703296088</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It&#8217;s a great day for the race. I just wish more individuals would open their eyes long enough to acknowledge the fact that they&#8217;re still in it.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[by Glenn Ansley
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us&#8230;
It&#8217;s a great day for the race. I just wish more individuals would open their eyes long enough to acknowledge the fact that they&#8217;re still in it. There&#8217;s no denying it. God the Father has created you and placed you in the race (Ephesians 1:3, 4). Jesus Christ, once you accepted Him as Lord and Savior of your life, has become your strength and nourishment, your only means of finishing the race (Ephesians 1:7-8). Finally, the Holy Spirit has been given to you as a coach (John 14:26), revealing to you the true course of the race, teaching you to keep your eyes fixed on Christ, and convicting you when stop to pick up unnecessary weights along the way. 
So many are in the race, but so few are advancing.
Are you having a hard time running? Have you forgotten that you&#8217;re even in a race? One only stops running a race when he passes the finish line or when he no longer has the strength to continue. You have not yet crossed that line (Philippians 4:21), nor have you lost the strength that enables you to run (Matthew 28:20b). Rather, you have allowed your eyes to lose focus of the goal and you have sought to find strength in yourself rather than Christ. I challenge you to look to those who have run the race and completed it (Hebrews 11). You must wake up every morning with the finish line on your mind. Learn from their failures and be motivated by their victories. Finally, look once again to Jesus Christ as your only source of strength. Daily confess to Him your dependence on His power and might. Thank Him for the sacrifice He so willingly paid that you might one day see the finish line.
You are in a race. There&#8217;s no turning back. Stand up and run with endurance that which has been set before you!
This is number 1 of 3 in a series of devotions. See also:
May 11, 2004: No Better Example
May 12, 2004: So That You May Not&#8230;
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://deeperdevotion.com/devotions/754/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
