Lay Aside Every Weight
1. Sin Can Grow Like Weeds Around Us
I walked down to look at my garden this afternoon, and it is still deep in water and mud from our three days of rain. It is the most weedy garden I have ever had. I enjoy using a hoe and pulling up weeds to help the little plants grow. It has rained so much, which is good to help it grow, but it makes it impossible for me to even walk in, much less hoe. As I thought about all these little weeds growing up around the plants, I thought of Hebrews 12:1-2. "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." When I let sin in my life, it crowds out the good that should be there. As I was thinking about the possibility of using these verses for our next devotional, I was standing at the refrigerator and saw a magnet with these verses right in front of me. I am not sure where God will lead with these verses, but I am excited to find out.
2. Don't Let Sin Choke Out The Word
In my garden I like to pull the weeds away from the tender plants, and it is discouraging to see the weeds about to overcome the okra plants. As soon as the ground dries enough, I want to get in there and pull up the weeds. I sometimes take a bucket along with me so I can carry the weeds with their strong roots out of my garden completely. That keeps them from getting another hold. Jesus talked of this in the parable of the sower... "And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:... He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." (Matthew 13:7 and 22-23) Things in our lives can choke out the Word of God. When we realize that these things are becoming a problem in our spiritual well-being, we need to confess them, gather them up, and take them completely out of our lives so they don't get another strong hold on us. I believe this can also apply to our verse in Hebrews 12:1. "...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us..." That is an important step in becoming fruitful Christians.
3. Jesus Laid A Good Foundation
When you begin to build, a house or even a road, you must always lay a good foundation. It is true in our lives also. Jesus is the only solid foundation. "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 3:11) The storms of life come to all, but only those on the Solid Rock will stand.
"21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it." (Matthew 7:21-27)
4. "Lay Me Down In Peace, And Sleep"
A few nights ago I woke up thirsty during the night and turned the faucet on, but nothing happened. Not sure what to do, I woke Michael and he called the water company. He was told that it was a main line, and with all the heavy rain, they were having trouble finding the leak. I tried to go back to sleep, but my sleep wasn't restful. When we have problems it is hard to sleep well. My troubles seem so small compared to David who lived during the Old Testament time. He fought off a bear and a lion to protect his sheep. He stood with God alone, against the giant Goliath. He ran for his life and hid in the wilderness from King Saul. And all of this happened before he turned 30 years old! In Psalm 4:1 he prayed, "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer." And he knew that God heard his prayer, because he ended the Psalm, "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8) This Psalm gives us assurance that God hears and answers our prayer, and comforts us so that we can lay down in peace, and sleep.
5. "Lay Down His Life For His Friends"
We celebrated Memorial Day and I saw many post John 15:13 on their facebook pages. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Many have sacrificed their lives for others down through the ages. And for that I am sincerely grateful. Even more so, I am thankful for Jesus. He was willing to leave His home in heaven, and be born in a stable, and live to lay down His life to pay for my sin. What amazing love! How do we respond to His great love? We can accept His love, or reject it. I hope that you know Jesus and have asked the Lord to save you. Another way we respond to His great love is by loving others. In the same passage Jesus said, "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." (John 15:12)
6. Lay Down Our Crowns At His Feet
The Bible tells us that we may receive crowns as rewards. "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." (II Timothy 4:8) "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." (James 1:12) There are a few more crowns found in the Bible. Jesus has done so much for me, it would be such a joy to receive a crown that I could lay at His feet and worship Him! Jesus is worthy of all our praise!
"8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." (Revelation 4:8-11)
7. Lay Down Your Cares At His Feet
It has been hard to be apart from so many of our family and friends. Sometimes we just need a shoulder to lean on. In tough times we need someone to just listen with love and understanding. During these long troubled days you may begin to feel that no one cares. When problems seem to rise up over our head, it is easy to feel alone, and think that nobody cares. David was a man after God's heart, yet he felt that way. "I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: ... no man cared for my soul. I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low:..." (Psalm 142:4-6) Yes, David cried, "no man cared for my soul" but he knew where to turn. The Psalm ends, "... the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me." (vs. 7) Jesus cares for you and me, just as He cared for David. We can cry out to our loving Savior, and lay all our troubles, all our worries, and all our woes at His feet, because He cares for us! "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (I Peter 5:7)
8. They Laid Their Coats At Saul's Feet
Saul was a very religious man. "Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless." (Philippians 3:5-6) By God's grace he changed from persecuting the church, to preaching for Jesus Christ, through the church. The Lord stopped him on the way to Damascus and Saul was gloriously saved. I believe that the stoning of Stephen had an impact on Saul's life. The witnesses laid down their clothes at Saul's feet. He saw how Stephen died, looking up into heaven, and asking for forgiveness for his accusers. Be encouraged today. People are watching how you react to the problems around you. They are listening to what you say. They see the attitude you have in the midst of the storms. The Lord may use you to be a witness in your words or actions that lead some lost soul to Christ.
55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep." (Acts 7:55-60)
9. Lay Up Treasures In Heaven
I am so thrilled to get to go to church again today. It has been almost three months since our church gathered together to worship. Being apart has given me a greater desire to meet together and fellowship with my Christian church family. Having this freedom restored gives me a renewed joy of how precious the things of the Lord are to me. It gives me a greater burden to pray for Christians who don't have the religious freedom we enjoy. These last few months have shown us how our world can suddenly change, and how we can lose our ability to make money, and how daily necessities can become unavailable. All the day by day unsurety shows us how crucial it is to put our trust in the anchor, Jesus Christ, that is sure and steadfast, to ride out these storms. It also shows us how important it is to lay up our treasures in heaven, where the world can't take them away. Satan may be trying to weaken God's children, but I think God will bring us out stronger, as we put our faith and trust in Him!
"19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)
10. The Wise Men Laid Out Their Treasures To The Christ Child
Little Madison likes to play with my Christmas "Snoopy" things so after Christmas I told her that I would leave them out for her to see the next time she came for a visit. When I took down my tree and put away the boxes for another year, I left the musical Peanuts toys out just for her. When we facetime she always asks me to turn the camera around so she can see the room. Each time I carry the ipad to the piano, and let her choose which buttons she wants me to push so she can hear the songs. So, I am still enjoying my little Christmas treasures, with my precious little living treasure. Sharing my treasures gives me great joy, and I think how amazing it must have been for the wise men who laid out their treasures to the Christ Child.
"9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." (Matthew 2:9-11)
11. When I Lay Awake At Night
Do you ever have times when you just can't sleep at night? Times when your mind is so busy you lay awake, wondering how you're going to get things done? Times when you are hurting, or fearful, or alone, and you lay awake, trying to get comfortable? The book of Psalms tells us things we can do when we lay awake in the night.
We can meditate on God's Word. "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." (Psalm 1:2-3)
We can sing and pray unto the Lord. "Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life." (Psalm 42:8)
We can praise the Lord. "Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches." (Psalm 63:4-6)
We can remember the Lord. "I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law." (Psalm 119:55)
The next time you can't sleep, try one of these remedies. And as it has often been said, "Why count sheep, when you can talk to the Shepherd?"
12. Our Layover
I don't like flying. That little bitty vent where the air comes out over my head, is not big enough to give me enough air to breathe. The last time we were flying home to North Carolina from Minnesota, I got really sick. I was watching the things on the ground and motion sickness hit me hard before we landed in LaGuardia Airport, NY. We had a layover, which was good for me, because when I got off the plane, I could not have gotten right back on another flight. I had to sit a little while, walk a little while, and eat a little, before I felt well enough to start my trip again. While some may view a layover as a waste of time, I was very thankful for that layover! Have you ever thought of our time here on earth as a lengthy layover? This is not our final destination. When we get saved, we are given eternal life, but we don't go immediately to heaven. We are just passing through, but one day our journey will be complete and we will go home where our Lord is preparing a place for us. The only flight I want to take is when I rise to meet my Lord in the clouds!
"13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city." (Hebrews 11:13-16)
13. "He Layeth It On His Shoulders"
Most of what we see on the news is bad news. Well, I have some good news for you today! It is found in this parable that Jesus told.
"4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." (Luke 15:4-7)
I was a little lost sheep. I didn't know how to be saved or how to go to heaven. When I was about 8 years old my Grandfather M. P. Beasley was preaching from Luke 16 about Lazarus and the rich man. For the first time I realized that I was lost, and I started crying. I asked Jesus to forgive me, and save me. And just like the lost sheep that the shepherd went to find, and laid on his shoulders, Jesus came to find me and He will carry me home to heaven. If you have never asked Jesus to save you, I hope you will today.
Understand that you are a lost sinner. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23) And sin has to be punished. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23) Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and He came to give His life on the cruel cross to pay for your sin. Trusting in Jesus is the only way to heaven. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10)
14. Lay It On The Line
Sometimes I miss the old sayings and actions. People used to say, "Lay it on the line." The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "Lay it on the line", "to speak very honestly and directly to someone." If I am having physical problems and I go to the doctor I want to hear the truth. If I want to buy a used car, I want to know the truth about it. If a personal acquaintance seems to be upset with me, I want to know the reason. As I see the news online I don't know what is truth, and what is just made-up fiction. I enjoy reading my Bible because I know that it is God's Word and I can always trust that it is truth. In the little book of Amos we read about a plumbline. If you are building a house, or building a wall, you can hang a plumbline and the law of gravity pulls it straight down and you can use it as a guide. "Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand. And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:" (Amos 7:7-8) Amos was upset as to how great God's judgment was going to be on His people. So, the Lord showed Amos a plumbline and Amos saw how far out of line from God's law the Children of Israel had strayed. If we could do the same with America today we would see how great the sin of our country has come. I am glad that there are still pastors and preachers today who "lay it on the line" and stand true to God's Holy Word!
