Are You In Shape? | Joseph Brothers

Hello, Kids.

After reading the title, I know what you must be thinking, “Is Dad seriously asking me if I am in shape?” And, rightfully so. Considering consistent workouts at Beatbox Fit & Lifetime Athletic, not to mention your athletic careers, I have no doubt that you all are in the best physical shape of your life.

Actually, I intended to ask my church family this question. Several of my friends there have heard me say, “I am so out of shape; I need to lose some weight.” But, that’s not what I would have been talking about.

You see, I was responsible for today’s extended scripture reading, and I chose to read Hebrews 11, which is a highlight reel featuring the “cloud of witnesses” who lived by faith in God. The writer of Hebrews, presumably Paul, concludes this passage by saying, “…, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, …” He said this right after saying that we need to lose some weight, and that is the weight of sin & heavy burdens that are keeping us from living by faith.

So, to rephrase the question, I would have asked, “Are you in faith?” What will your highlight reel be when family & friends look back on the life you lived?

I wasn’t able to ask my church family these questions due to the format of our extended scripture reading, but I will continue to ask myself each time I read about the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11.

Have a great day!
Dad

Check it out, “By Faith,” by The Acappella Company:

By Faith

By faith we see the hand of God
In the light of creation’s grand design
In the lives of those who prove his faithfulness
Who walk by faith and not by sight

By faith our fathers roamed the earth
With the power of His promise in their hearts
Of a holy city built by God’s own hand
A place where peace and justice reign

CHORUS
We will stand as children of the promise
We will fix our eyes on Him, our soul’s reward
Till the race is finished and the work is done
We’ll walk by faith and not by sight

By faith the prophets saw a day
When the longed for Messiah would appear
With the power to break the chains of sin and death
And rise triumphant from the grave

By faith the church was called to go
In the power of the Spirit to the lost
To deliver captives and to preach good news
In every corner of the earth

[CHORUS]

By faith this mountain shall be moved
And the power of the gospel shall prevail
For we know in Christ all things are possible
For all who call upon His name

[CHORUS]