I want to remind you that you are closer than you think to where God wants you to be. The gap between where you are and where you want to be isn’t as wide as it seems. It’s about letting go of the weights, running with endurance, fixing your eyes on Jesus, and trusting God’s process.
[00:00:37] [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to The Bible Speaks with your host Elgin Carelock.
[00:00:42] [SPEAKER_00]: The Bible Speaks is a daily podcast dedicated to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, rightly
[00:00:49] [SPEAKER_00]: dividing the Word of Truth and learning how to apply it to our daily lives.
[00:00:55] [SPEAKER_00]: You may contact Elgin at the address given at the end of the broadcast.
[00:01:00] [SPEAKER_00]: And now here's Elgin.
[00:01:02] [SPEAKER_01]: Brothers and sisters, I welcome you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy
[00:01:08] [SPEAKER_01]: Spirit to another edition of Words of Inspiration where we explore how God's Word gives us direction,
[00:01:18] [SPEAKER_01]: encouragement, and strength for life's journey.
[00:01:22] [SPEAKER_01]: And today we'll be diving into a message that reminds us how close we are to breakthrough,
[00:01:30] [SPEAKER_01]: victory, and transformation.
[00:01:34] [SPEAKER_01]: Today I would like to have a discussion with you on the topic of Closer Than You Think.
[00:01:42] [SPEAKER_01]: Our inspiration comes from Hebrews Chapter 12, verses 1 through 2.
[00:01:50] [SPEAKER_01]: And reading from the English Standard Version it reads,
[00:01:55] [SPEAKER_01]: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside
[00:02:02] [SPEAKER_01]: every weight and sin which clings so closely.
[00:02:06] [SPEAKER_01]: And let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the
[00:02:13] [SPEAKER_01]: founder and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured
[00:02:19] [SPEAKER_01]: the cross, despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
[00:02:28] [SPEAKER_01]: The primary thought of our discussion today being the difference between where you are
[00:02:35] [SPEAKER_01]: and where you want to be is choosing to do what's necessary to get there.
[00:02:41] [SPEAKER_01]: Often we're closer to the breakthrough, success, or purpose God has for us than
[00:02:48] [SPEAKER_01]: we realize, but it takes removing the things that hold us back and placing our full trust
[00:02:55] [SPEAKER_01]: in the finished work of Jesus Christ to move forward.
[00:02:59] [SPEAKER_01]: The writer of Hebrews tells us to lay aside every weight and the sin which clings so
[00:03:06] [SPEAKER_01]: closely.
[00:03:07] [SPEAKER_01]: This is a powerful image of how certain things in our lives, whether it's sin,
[00:03:13] [SPEAKER_01]: distractions, or even habits can weigh us down and prevent us from moving forward.
[00:03:20] [SPEAKER_01]: Think about it, in a race no runner carries extra baggage.
[00:03:26] [SPEAKER_01]: They strip down to the essentials so that they can run freely.
[00:03:31] [SPEAKER_01]: In the same way there are weights in our lives, things like fear, doubt,
[00:03:37] [SPEAKER_01]: insecurity, and sin that have the effect of slowing us down.
[00:03:44] [SPEAKER_01]: These aren't always obvious, but they keep us from reaching the place God wants us to be.
[00:03:52] [SPEAKER_01]: The first step in getting closer to where you want to be is identifying what's weighing you down.
[00:03:59] [SPEAKER_01]: Are there certain habits, thoughts, or even relationships that are keeping you stuck?
[00:04:07] [SPEAKER_01]: It can be something as simple as procrastination or a serious as a sin that happens to linger in your life.
[00:04:16] [SPEAKER_01]: Hebrews 12 and 1 encourages us to throw off these weights so that we can run with endurance.
[00:04:24] [SPEAKER_01]: Hebrews 12 also tells us to run with endurance the race that is set before us.
[00:04:31] [SPEAKER_01]: The Christian life is often compared to a race, but it's not a sprint, it's a marathon.
[00:04:40] [SPEAKER_01]: This means it requires perseverance, determination, and focus.
[00:04:45] [SPEAKER_01]: Sometimes we get frustrated because we want instant results.
[00:04:50] [SPEAKER_01]: We see where we are and know where we want to be, but the gap feels too wide.
[00:04:57] [SPEAKER_01]: But God calls us to run with endurance, not to give up because it's hard or because the finish line seems so far away.
[00:05:06] [SPEAKER_01]: The good news is that you're closer than you think.
[00:05:10] [SPEAKER_01]: The difference between where you are and where you want to be is often one decision, one step of faith, or one act of obedience.
[00:05:22] [SPEAKER_01]: But it requires a commitment to keep going even when it gets tough.
[00:05:28] [SPEAKER_01]: James 1, verse 4, reading from the English Standard Version says
[00:05:35] [SPEAKER_01]: And let this dead fastness have its full effect that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing.
[00:05:43] [SPEAKER_01]: The endurance you develop as you run this race is shaping you into the person God has called you to be.
[00:05:50] [SPEAKER_01]: Every step forward, every struggle and every victory is part of your growth and journey.
[00:05:58] [SPEAKER_01]: The most important part of this race is that we're not running it alone.
[00:06:04] [SPEAKER_01]: Hebrews 12 and 2 tells us, look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.
[00:06:12] [SPEAKER_01]: This is the key because while we're called to lay aside ways and run with endurance, our ultimate focus and trust must be in Jesus.
[00:06:24] [SPEAKER_01]: Jesus has already run the race.
[00:06:26] [SPEAKER_01]: He's endured the cross despite its shame and now sits at the right hand of God.
[00:06:33] [SPEAKER_01]: Because of his finished work, we can run this race with confidence knowing that the victory has already been won for us.
[00:06:41] [SPEAKER_01]: The gap between where you are and where you want to be can only be closed by fixing your eyes on Jesus.
[00:06:50] [SPEAKER_01]: When we place our trust in his finished work on the cross, we realize that he's not just an example to follow.
[00:06:56] [SPEAKER_01]: He's the source of our strength and the author of our faith.
[00:07:02] [SPEAKER_01]: When we focus on Jesus, the distractions, the weights and the sins that cling to us lose their power.
[00:07:11] [SPEAKER_01]: Often we're tempted to rush ahead of God's timing because we feel the pressure to be further along.
[00:07:18] [SPEAKER_01]: But God's process is always perfect.
[00:07:22] [SPEAKER_01]: Philippians 1 and 6, reading from the English Standard Version, reminds us
[00:07:38] [SPEAKER_01]: This means that even if you feel far from your goals, God is still at work in you bringing you closer to his plan.
[00:07:48] [SPEAKER_01]: The work he's doing in your heart, mind and spirit is essential to your growth and maturity.
[00:07:54] [SPEAKER_01]: Trusting his process is key to finding peace and confidence in your journey.
[00:08:02] [SPEAKER_01]: Sometimes our problems and challenges are God's way of refining us, preparing us for the next step.
[00:08:10] [SPEAKER_01]: What seems like a delay or a setback may actually be God's perfecting time.
[00:08:16] [SPEAKER_01]: When we trust the process, we can rest in the fact that God's plan for us is unfolding exactly as it should.
[00:08:25] [SPEAKER_01]: Finally, the difference between where you are and where you want to be is in choosing to do what's necessary to get there.
[00:08:34] [SPEAKER_01]: It's not about waiting on God. It's about taking steps of faith and obedience.
[00:08:40] [SPEAKER_01]: Maybe you've been praying for a breakthrough, but God is waiting for you to take the first step.
[00:08:47] [SPEAKER_01]: When are the practical steps you need to take to get closer to your goals?
[00:08:52] [SPEAKER_01]: Do you need to step out of the comfort zone, let go of a bad habit or make a decision that you've been putting off?
[00:09:01] [SPEAKER_01]: Often, the only thing standing between you and the next level is your willingness to act.
[00:09:08] [SPEAKER_01]: Proverbs 16 and 3, reading from the English Standard Version says
[00:09:16] [SPEAKER_01]: and your plans will be established.
[00:09:19] [SPEAKER_01]: When we commit our actions to God, trusting Him in every step,
[00:09:24] [SPEAKER_01]: He establishes our plans and brings us closer to the destiny He has for us.
[00:09:32] [SPEAKER_01]: I want to remind you that you are closer than you think to where God wants you to be.
[00:09:39] [SPEAKER_01]: The gap between where you are and where you want to be isn't as wise as it seems.
[00:09:45] [SPEAKER_01]: It's about letting go of the weights, running with endurance, fixing your eyes on Jesus and trusting God's process.
[00:09:56] [SPEAKER_01]: The good news is that Jesus has already paved the way for you.
[00:10:00] [SPEAKER_01]: He's the author and perfector of your faith, and He's working in your life even when you can't see it.
[00:10:08] [SPEAKER_01]: So don't give up.
[00:10:10] [SPEAKER_01]: Take the steps of faith that you need to take, and trust God is with you every step of the way.
[00:10:19] [SPEAKER_01]: I thank you for spending time with me on today, and I look forward to our conversation on tomorrow.
[00:10:26] [SPEAKER_01]: Until then, God bless.
[00:10:45] [SPEAKER_00]: If anything you've heard poured into your life, please share it with someone.
[00:10:52] [SPEAKER_00]: You can find the Bible Speaks on Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer and many more.
[00:11:01] [SPEAKER_00]: Follow us on YouTube at the Bible Speaks online.
[00:11:06] [SPEAKER_00]: You may contact Elgin at PO Box 5582 or Calla Florida 34478
[00:11:16] [SPEAKER_00]: or by email at thebiblespeaksonline at gmail.com