A Great Cloud of Witnesses

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. – Hebrews 12:1

By Pastor Mike Spaulding

I am inspired by godly people. I am at a place in my life where individuals whom God is using mightily, who are set apart for His special work of grace and truth, who are warriors in God’s eyes, are increasingly crossing my path.

I am encouraged by these people for a number of reasons. First, I receive these friendships with much joy for I see them as God’s handwritten message of hope to me. It is helpful for all of us from time to time to be reminded that God is still at work all around us.

The enemy may buffet us with trials of every kind, many driving us to frustration and worse. But our Father shows me that through the dear men and women, His sons and daughters, which he places in my life that He is mindful of my weakness and need of strengthening daily by His hand.

Second, these godly men and women are hearing the same message from God and they are rallying around others who are marching to the same drumbeat. This reminds me that God has raised up His banner of truth and righteousness in these troubling days and His people are responding.

‘We Are All on an Assignment from God’

We are all on an assignment from God to be His messengers, His salt and light bearers, and His ambassadors of the only message of hope that matters.

The third and most important reason that I am encouraged by these people is because they are not haughty, arrogant, or prideful. They do not see themselves as anything apart from God’s mighty work of grace in their lives and they are simply thankful to be on the mission field that America has become. They walk with the lowly of heart and lift them up with the love and kindness that God has shown them.

The verse in Hebrews above reminds me today that I have been surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses both in the heavens (original context refers back to Hebrews 11), but also right here where I am today (by application). I’m thankful for the road I have traveled with my wife Kathy for the last 36 plus years and for the many friends that our loving Father has placed in our lives.

Traveling the Road Together

Having friend’s means we share our lives, both joys and sorrows. We are ready at a moment’s notice to lend a hand or an ear. We encourage one another to rebuke the enemy who masquerades as encumbrances. Notice in this verse that encumbrances and sins are mentioned separately.

The reason for that is encumbrances are those things that catch our attention, that occupy our time, that require our resources, but that also in a good many instance are camouflaged iron teethed traps waiting to be sprung on the unsuspecting.

Sin is a lot like a fishing lure. Bright shiny spinners attached to bright colored objects meant to do one thing: distract the intended prey from seeing the hook. Only when the lure is taken does the reality of sin – the hook – sink into the flesh with painful consequences.

Friends help one another cast off the chains of sin that would not just slow us down in this race we are running but that would prevent us from finishing this race God has placed before us. Friends come along side one another to encourage and strengthen for persevering in this race.

Let’s commit together today to set our eyes on Jesus! When we are weary and troubled reach out to Jesus and watch Him reach out to you with the arm of a friend. God bless you today as you run this race together with endurance.

Pastor Mike Spaulding (www.drmikelive.com, www.soaringeagleradio.com) was ordained to the ministry in 1998. Since then he has planted two Calvary Chapel churches – Calvary Christian Fellowship in St. Mary’s, Ohio, in 1998, and Calvary Chapel of Lima, Ohio, in 2005, where he currently serves as pastor. He holds a B.A. in Organizational Management, and a M.T.S., and a Ph.D. in apologetics. He is the author of #MTPGA (Make the Pulpit Great Again): 12 Things Christians Can Do Right Now, Random Thoughts from a Disciple of Jesus Christ: Commentary on America’s “Hot Button” Issues, and Matthew: A Commentary for the Remnant Body of Jesus Christ, Volume 1. He is a contributing author to The Evangelical Dictionary of World Religions, and Daily Devotions with Calvary Chapel Pastors. He has written for several apologetics’ ministries including Got Questions? (www.gotquestions.org) and the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry (www.carm.org). He’s a frequent conference speaker and has appeared on broadcasts including Worldview Weekend Radio with Brannon Howse, The Hagmann and Hagmann Report, Caravan to Midnight and Ark Midnight with John B. Wells, Spiritual Encounters with Caspar McCloud, Five in Ten on Skywatch TV with Derek Gilbert, I Am Liberty Radio with James Walton, and The Prophecy Brothers. He’s host of Soaring Eagle Radio (www.soaringeagleradio.com), Dr. Mike Live (www.drmikelive.com), and cohosts The Kingdom War Room with Dr. Michael Lake. His teaching ministry is featured on the radio program “The Transforming Word,” heard on radio stations throughout the Midwest United States. He has been married to his lovely wife Kathy for over 35 years and together they have four daughters and five grandchildren. He can be reachedatpastormike@cclohio.org. Follow him on Twitter at @ccpastormike.