Just a Little Encouragement

I have been studying Hebrews 10-12 the past few days. Those chapters hit 3 huge areas in our lives--perseverance, faith, and discipline (I encourage all to read them). No matter how many times I have read these chapters, they seem fresh to me each time--reminding me of its holiness as the Word of God. It always amazes me how much a verse, not to mention a chapter, encompasses when broken down and studied. I feel like I'm drowning in a sea unworthiness! But how amazing is it, when we start to feel hopeless in being who He has called us to be, He reminds us of what He has already done. Our only jobs are to be vessels, willing to be molded, loving our Savior, and drawing others to Him. Simple task--not so simple as humans always. But praise be to Him who "planned something better for us" (Heb. 11:40) and who never gives up on us and promises that,"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion." (Phil. 1:6)

Anyways, I just wanted to share some verses that have been encouraging to me lately to run this race that we (as Christ followers) have been graciously allowed to take part in.
Persevering: Hebrews 10
-"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess for he who promised is FAITHFUL. And let us consider how we may spur on another on toward love and good deeds." 23-24
-"But we are not those who shrink back and are destroyed, but those who believe and are SAVED." 39
Faith: Hebrews 11 - reminds me that God uses ordinary men and women in un-imaginable ways because of one simple thing: trust.
-"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."-
-(talking about Moses) "He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of GREATER value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking AHEAD to his reward. By faith he left Egypt not fearing the King's anger; he PERSEVERED because he saw him who is invisible." 26-27
-(talking about all who had faith)"They admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they left, they would have the opportunity to return. Instead they were looking for a better country --a heavenly one. Therefore God is NOT ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them." 13-16
-"The world was not worthy of them" 38
I have had to ask myself this question many times and am being challenged to ask it much more: Right now, am I living in the world or of the world?
Discipline: Hebrews 12 
-"Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?" 7  (I have to catch myself getting so frustrated with discipline because, when I really think about it, how wonderful and blessed (and so unworthy!) are we that our God treats us as sons and daughters?! Willing to discipline us for our good)
-"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later one, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." 11

Lord, remind me of this race daily: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sing that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the AUTHOR and PERFECTER, of our faith who for the JOY set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose hope." Hebrews 12:1-3