Hebrews 12:4 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sins which ensnare us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us

We feel alone sometimes in our lives. We look around and the world looks so cold and unfriendly. We are called to be a witness for Jesus Christ, but when we do the world does not like it. As we have seen this week it will even kill you for being an effective witness. But even in the darkest moments we do have those who have passed before us that are watching us in heaven.

They are a great cloud of witnesses. Daniel, Joel, Abraham, Isiah, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter and Paul to just name a few. These men were martyred for sharing their faith in Jesus. They have known the loneliness and suffering that comes with the testimony they shared with the world. being a Christian in this world is like swimming upstream as the world floats by downstream. We are not of this world.

Therefore, cast off all sin, everything that would weigh you down and run with all the strength and endurance to finish the race well. Just think if you would tell 10 percent of the people you meet in a day about Jesus. Witnessing everyday to the lost sinners and trying to take as many with you to heaven as possible is the goal. Death comes to us all. But there is a host in heaven cheering us Christians on as we fulfill the command of Jesus. Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.