Hebrews 11
I will not quote the entire chapter. I will let you follow the link and read it from Bible Gateway.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
One thing that most evolutionists won't tell you, is that evolution is a belief based on their interpretation of science. Creation is our belief in an almighty creator...God. Both are based on faith it's just a matter of whom one chooses to put their faith in.
4 By faith Abel ...
5 By
faith Enoch...
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
We do not earn favor with God. We have faith in what Jesus has done. Our reward is not "salvation", that is a gift. Our reward is treasure in heaven.
7 By faith Noah,...
8 By faith Abraham,...
11 And by faith even Sarah,...
13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing 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.
These people died having never seen what God had promised them. Yet they looked forward to what was ahead. We too need to press on toward our goal. We too need to look forward to our better country.
17 By faith Abraham,...
20 By faith Isaac...
21 By faith Jacob,...
22 By
faith Joseph,...
23 By faith Moses’ parents...
24 By faith Moses,...
29 By faith the people...
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell,
31 By faith the prostitute Rahab...
32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
So I search my heart and look at what am facing today. I will not face anything like this. Where is my faith? I encourage you to do the same.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Hebrews 10:19-39
Hebrews 10:19-39
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Why do you we go to church? My friend Bob said one morning in Sunday School, "Programmed response." We go to church some days because we've trained ourselves to go. It's more habit than commitment...although it's a good habit. I admit there are days I do this blog because I should and because I know some people read it as there morning Bible study.
Here the author is asking for us to draw near with a sincere heart. I think this is to get close to God on purpose, to study on purpose and to worship on purpose.
23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
There are men in my church who hold to their faith no matter what. These are Godly men. Their pursuit of God makes me want to be a better man of God.
25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
I have heard people say they do not go to church. I've heard people say they have their own time with God. We need on another. We are to meet regularly. As this world is getting further and further from God we need one another all the more. Go to church. Meet in small groups. Gather together in God's name and encourage one another.
26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." So, how do we explain these two verses that seem to contradict each other? I believe verse 26 is speaking alone the same lines as Hebrews 6. These people have completely rejected God and forgiveness. They have made a conscious choice to walk away from God.
28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
I genuinely feel sorry for those who reject God.
32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
The American church has not dealt with this too much. However, it is my conviction that it is coming.
36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For,
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Why do you we go to church? My friend Bob said one morning in Sunday School, "Programmed response." We go to church some days because we've trained ourselves to go. It's more habit than commitment...although it's a good habit. I admit there are days I do this blog because I should and because I know some people read it as there morning Bible study.
Here the author is asking for us to draw near with a sincere heart. I think this is to get close to God on purpose, to study on purpose and to worship on purpose.
23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
There are men in my church who hold to their faith no matter what. These are Godly men. Their pursuit of God makes me want to be a better man of God.
25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
I have heard people say they do not go to church. I've heard people say they have their own time with God. We need on another. We are to meet regularly. As this world is getting further and further from God we need one another all the more. Go to church. Meet in small groups. Gather together in God's name and encourage one another.
26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." So, how do we explain these two verses that seem to contradict each other? I believe verse 26 is speaking alone the same lines as Hebrews 6. These people have completely rejected God and forgiveness. They have made a conscious choice to walk away from God.
28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
I genuinely feel sorry for those who reject God.
32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
The American church has not dealt with this too much. However, it is my conviction that it is coming.
36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For,
“In just a little while,
he who is coming will come
and will not delay.”
he who is coming will come
and will not delay.”
38 And,
“But my righteous one will live by faith.
And I take no pleasure
in the one who shrinks back.”
And I take no pleasure
in the one who shrinks back.”
39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.
Any suffering we do here on Earth will be short lived in light of eternity. We will receive our reward. However you can see there will be consequences for those who shirk the things that God has called them to do. This is not a loss of salvation, but a disappointed father.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Hebrews 10:1-18
Hebrews 10:1-18
The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. 4 It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
The sacrifices were a constant reminder of the sins of the people. The sacrifices did not take away the sins of the people.
5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:
11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. 14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
The Earthly priest in the Jewish temple performed his duty over and over. Jesus, our heavenly priest, died once...and he SAT DOWN. Not only did he obey God in becoming the sacrifice for our sin, he now waits for God to deliver his enemies to him.
A little personal application here. If Jesus waits for his father to act, and has been for over 2000 years, why do I think I deserve immediate resolution to my issues?
15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:
The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. 4 It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
The sacrifices were a constant reminder of the sins of the people. The sacrifices did not take away the sins of the people.
5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:
“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;
6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings
you were not pleased.
7 Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—
I have come to do your will, my God.’”
but a body you prepared for me;
6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings
you were not pleased.
7 Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—
I have come to do your will, my God.’”
8 First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. 9 Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Jesus came to do the will of the Father. He became the sacrifice for us. I died once and it was for everyone.
The Earthly priest in the Jewish temple performed his duty over and over. Jesus, our heavenly priest, died once...and he SAT DOWN. Not only did he obey God in becoming the sacrifice for our sin, he now waits for God to deliver his enemies to him.
A little personal application here. If Jesus waits for his father to act, and has been for over 2000 years, why do I think I deserve immediate resolution to my issues?
15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:
16 “This is the covenant I will make with them
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.”
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.”
17 Then he adds:
“Their sins and lawless acts
I will remember no more.”
I will remember no more.”
18 And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.
Because of Jesus sacrifice, God will not hold our sins against us. When God forgives we don't need to "do" anything to earn our way back into his grace. In fact we can't earn it and that is the point.
Also Christ's sacrifice was once. It never has to be done again.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Hebrews 9:11-28
Has it really been 4 days since I blogged? My apologies.
Hebrews 9:11-28
11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
The heavenly tabernacle is the perfect tabernacle. Christ's blood is better than the blood of animals. They made the people ceremonially clean. Christ's blood redeemed us and clears our conscience.
15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
The price has been paid. We've been set free.
16 In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. 18 This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. 19 When Moses had proclaimed every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. 20 He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.” 21 In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. 22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
23 It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
In the old testament things had to be cleansed with blood over and over. Christ's blood was shed once and he never has to suffer again. We will see more of this next blog.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Hebrews 9:11-28
11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
The heavenly tabernacle is the perfect tabernacle. Christ's blood is better than the blood of animals. They made the people ceremonially clean. Christ's blood redeemed us and clears our conscience.
15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
The price has been paid. We've been set free.
16 In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. 18 This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. 19 When Moses had proclaimed every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. 20 He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.” 21 In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. 22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
23 It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
In the old testament things had to be cleansed with blood over and over. Christ's blood was shed once and he never has to suffer again. We will see more of this next blog.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Hebrews 8-9:10
Lots of reading today. Not much commentary.
Hebrews 8-9:10
The tabernacle that existed here on earth was a copy of what is in heaven. Every aspect of the earthly temple reflected an attribute of God. That is why Moses had to me precise. One of my first pastors Rev. Paul Colby did a sermons series on this and I wish I could revisit the series but this was in a time before mp3 and video.
7 For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. 8 But God found fault with the people and said:
The old covenant had lots of rules and regulations. The people were separated from God and only the High Priest enter the Holy of Holies (where God dwelt) once a year to offer sacrifices for sin. Yet these were not enough and had to be done over and over.
We will discuss the new covenant and how Jesus is better next time.
Happy Thanksgiving.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Hebrews 8-9:10
8 Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.
3 Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. 4 If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. 5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned
when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make
everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” 6 But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.The tabernacle that existed here on earth was a copy of what is in heaven. Every aspect of the earthly temple reflected an attribute of God. That is why Moses had to me precise. One of my first pastors Rev. Paul Colby did a sermons series on this and I wish I could revisit the series but this was in a time before mp3 and video.
7 For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. 8 But God found fault with the people and said:
“The days are coming, declares the Lord,
when I will make a new covenant
with the people of Israel
and with the people of Judah.
9 It will not be like the covenant
I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of Egypt,
because they did not remain faithful to my covenant,
and I turned away from them,
declares the Lord.
10 This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel
after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds
and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
11 No longer will they teach their neighbor,
or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.”
when I will make a new covenant
with the people of Israel
and with the people of Judah.
9 It will not be like the covenant
I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of Egypt,
because they did not remain faithful to my covenant,
and I turned away from them,
declares the Lord.
10 This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel
after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds
and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
11 No longer will they teach their neighbor,
or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.”
13 By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.
The people did not follow the old covenant. So God in his grace provided a new one. One that any non Jew reading this benefited from.
9 Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. 2 A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, 4 which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. 5 Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.
6 When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. 7 But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. 9 This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. 10 They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order.The old covenant had lots of rules and regulations. The people were separated from God and only the High Priest enter the Holy of Holies (where God dwelt) once a year to offer sacrifices for sin. Yet these were not enough and had to be done over and over.
We will discuss the new covenant and how Jesus is better next time.
Happy Thanksgiving.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Hebrews 7:11-28
Hebrews 7:11-28
11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared:
20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him:
23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
Jesus priesthood is permanent.
Jesus completely saves us. (Nothing we need to do.)
Jesus is holy, blameless, pure set apart and exalted.
Jesus' sacrifice was once for all and forever. (Could you imagine us having to bring sacrifices to the alter for our sins still?)
Jesus is perfect and forever.
The writer wrote this to show the Jewish people that Jesus is better than the law. Yet some stubbornly clung to the law and their traditions. We are no different today. Our churches have or lists of rules and traditions that are clung to just as tenaciously. Jesus is better. Chose HIM.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared:
“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”
in the order of Melchizedek.”
18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
Priests came from the tribe of Levi. Jesus was from Judah. The law had no provision for a priest from the tribe of Judah. Vs 18 and 19 give the answer. Jesus is our "better hope".
“The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind:
‘You are a priest forever.’”
and will not change his mind:
‘You are a priest forever.’”
22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.
How did Jesus become priest? God declared it. Anybody else have a better reference than that on their resume?
26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
Jesus priesthood is permanent.
Jesus completely saves us. (Nothing we need to do.)
Jesus is holy, blameless, pure set apart and exalted.
Jesus' sacrifice was once for all and forever. (Could you imagine us having to bring sacrifices to the alter for our sins still?)
Jesus is perfect and forever.
The writer wrote this to show the Jewish people that Jesus is better than the law. Yet some stubbornly clung to the law and their traditions. We are no different today. Our churches have or lists of rules and traditions that are clung to just as tenaciously. Jesus is better. Chose HIM.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
God answers my prayer...the same afternoon.
This morning I slept in. Though I "woke" at 5 am and again at 6 am I just kept rolling over till suddenly it was 705am. Ugh. Gotta MOVE if I'm going to log on to school by 8 am. Before my feet hit the floor I realize that I would not have time to blog. A brief prayer was sent that I would not forget to blog today.
So I made it to school and had an OK day. My issue was temptation with certain sins that have been part of my life so long that I am happy when I "do better" than yesterday and manage it to what I wrongly perceive as "acceptable levels". When we rationalize our sin we tell ourselves rational lies. God is very clear. He hates sin.
So this afternoon I cry out to God, "Why is this sin still present in my life? I don't hate it like you do. In truth, I like it more than you some days." I left it there planning on speaking to Steve (my accountability partner).
Later, and I'm talking just a short while later, I'm listening to Pastor Mark Driscoll, of Mars Hill Church, preach on the book of Luke. He was in chapter 17. "32 Remember Lot's wife. 33 Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, whoever loses their life will preserve it."
When the angel of the Lord was practically dragging Lot and his family from Sodom, she looked back longingly to her house and way of life and showed what was the most important things to her. Her husband suffered and her children suffered hardship because of her choice.
The sermon went on to talk about where is your greatest hearts desire is. I can say that my greatest desire is to serve God. Therefore, I do know I am saved. However the cost of this sin in my life has been great and it also sent Jesus to the cross. He nailed it there.
So I have a choice. Keep my life (this sin) and lose it or lose my life (in Christ) and he will preserve it. What choices do you have to make?
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
So I made it to school and had an OK day. My issue was temptation with certain sins that have been part of my life so long that I am happy when I "do better" than yesterday and manage it to what I wrongly perceive as "acceptable levels". When we rationalize our sin we tell ourselves rational lies. God is very clear. He hates sin.
So this afternoon I cry out to God, "Why is this sin still present in my life? I don't hate it like you do. In truth, I like it more than you some days." I left it there planning on speaking to Steve (my accountability partner).
Later, and I'm talking just a short while later, I'm listening to Pastor Mark Driscoll, of Mars Hill Church, preach on the book of Luke. He was in chapter 17. "32 Remember Lot's wife. 33 Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, whoever loses their life will preserve it."
When the angel of the Lord was practically dragging Lot and his family from Sodom, she looked back longingly to her house and way of life and showed what was the most important things to her. Her husband suffered and her children suffered hardship because of her choice.
The sermon went on to talk about where is your greatest hearts desire is. I can say that my greatest desire is to serve God. Therefore, I do know I am saved. However the cost of this sin in my life has been great and it also sent Jesus to the cross. He nailed it there.
So I have a choice. Keep my life (this sin) and lose it or lose my life (in Christ) and he will preserve it. What choices do you have to make?
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Hebrews 7:1-10
Hebrews 7:1-10
I made this mistake of Googling Melchizedek. Lot's of stuff of there and some of it is pretty weird. Since I don't know the sources enough to trust them, we're just going to use scripture and allow the Holy Spirit to lead.
This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
He was the King of Salem and since he was a priest of God, Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. We know what his name means and what the name of his city means, saying he is the king of righteousness and peace. We don't know who his family is or where he went.
4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. 6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. 9 One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.
Confused yet? I know part of me is. Because I have read ahead and know that the writer is comparing things that were to Jesus. Tomorrow we will see that though Melchizedek was a great king and priest and was close enough to be similar to Christ, Jesus is superior. Some come back and we'll work through it together.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
I made this mistake of Googling Melchizedek. Lot's of stuff of there and some of it is pretty weird. Since I don't know the sources enough to trust them, we're just going to use scripture and allow the Holy Spirit to lead.
This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
He was the King of Salem and since he was a priest of God, Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. We know what his name means and what the name of his city means, saying he is the king of righteousness and peace. We don't know who his family is or where he went.
4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. 6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. 9 One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.
Confused yet? I know part of me is. Because I have read ahead and know that the writer is comparing things that were to Jesus. Tomorrow we will see that though Melchizedek was a great king and priest and was close enough to be similar to Christ, Jesus is superior. Some come back and we'll work through it together.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Hebrews 6:13-20
Hebrews 6:13-20
13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.
In Biblical times, men entering a contract would slaughter an animal, cut it in half and the parties responsible to fulfill that contact would walk between the pieces. This was a sort of blood oath swearing "I will fulfill my part even unto death.". In Genesis 15 we read that God entered into this promise with Abram. But Abram was put to sleep and only God walked through the carcasses. He was the only party responsible to make it happen.
18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
God cannot lie. How refreshing that is since we live in society where our leaders cannot tell the truth. We can have real hope and feel real secure in our eternity with God.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.
In Biblical times, men entering a contract would slaughter an animal, cut it in half and the parties responsible to fulfill that contact would walk between the pieces. This was a sort of blood oath swearing "I will fulfill my part even unto death.". In Genesis 15 we read that God entered into this promise with Abram. But Abram was put to sleep and only God walked through the carcasses. He was the only party responsible to make it happen.
18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
God cannot lie. How refreshing that is since we live in society where our leaders cannot tell the truth. We can have real hope and feel real secure in our eternity with God.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Hebrews 5:11-6:12
Hebrews 5:11-6:12
11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Some people just never grow up in their faith. That is where I was for years. I "knew" about the Bible. I "knew" about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I even believed Jesus paid for my sins and had accepted him as my Savior. I was a Bible college graduate. Yet I was still a baby. I was still in my infancy with faith. It has really only been since this blog started that I began in earnest my search of God. I mentioned in my first post about Hebrews that this book gave me pause. That's because for so long all I did was drink the milk of the word while passing by the meat and potatoes.
4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
This is a hard passage to understand. So hard that years ago I contacted my Pastor Bill Jenkins about it and I even saved his response. Since I cannot improve on his answer and I do not wish to paraphrase him, I shall quote him. Links added by me for you ease of use.
Thank you Pastor Bill for that explanation.
7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
What are you producing? What am I producing? Are we worthless to God?
9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
The evidence of salvation was evident in the people to whom this letter was written. I was once asked, "If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?".
As the writer encourage his readers, I too encourage you to "show the same diligence" in your walk with God.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Some people just never grow up in their faith. That is where I was for years. I "knew" about the Bible. I "knew" about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I even believed Jesus paid for my sins and had accepted him as my Savior. I was a Bible college graduate. Yet I was still a baby. I was still in my infancy with faith. It has really only been since this blog started that I began in earnest my search of God. I mentioned in my first post about Hebrews that this book gave me pause. That's because for so long all I did was drink the milk of the word while passing by the meat and potatoes.
6 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.
I had to grow up. It was not easy, but my faith in God has grown more in the past two and a half to three years than the previous 30. It's interesting that I was probably NOT going to blog the book of Revelation because I did not feel qualified. Perhaps we will. Not sure where God will lead.
This is a hard passage to understand. So hard that years ago I contacted my Pastor Bill Jenkins about it and I even saved his response. Since I cannot improve on his answer and I do not wish to paraphrase him, I shall quote him. Links added by me for you ease of use.
"The writer of Hebrews has a goal here: describing the seriousness of turning from
the Christian faith.
He is not questioning the perseverance of the saints (see
John 6:37-39; Romans 8:30; Ephesians 1:13-14 and others), but he is stating
that only those who continue in the way of Christ ARE the saints.
If a person is a genuine Christian, then they can never be
lost and will be preserved to the last day for salvation, per the above verses.
What about when a person pledges to believe yet at some
later point denies the faith and goes back to living a non-Christ centered
life?
The answer is found in 1 John 2:19, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out from us, in order that it might be made manifest that they all are not truly of us."
The answer is found in 1 John 2:19, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out from us, in order that it might be made manifest that they all are not truly of us."
Look at the verse again & note the highlights & then
what’s capitalized:
4It is IMPOSSIBLE for those who
have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who
have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5who have tasted
the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because
to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting
him to public disgrace.
The writer seems to be describing someone who seemed to be a
Christian but never really was a true follower of Christ.
This idea fits in the with the context of Hebrews, for in
Ch. 3:16-19 there is a description of how the Israelites had all of the ear
markings of God’s people in the wilderness, but never entered the Promised
Land.
This passage does not refer to backsliders, but to people
who walk with the Lord for a while and then deliberately turn and completely
walk away from Him, rejecting Him.
It is IMPOSSIBLE for those who have partaken in the bold
faced items above to be brought back into repentance because they do not want
to be restored into a good relationship with God.
These people nail the Son of God to the cross all over again
by rejecting Him. In their heart they
make themselves one with those who put Christ to death on the cross. They choose to harden their hearts to Christ.
It’s not impossible for God to forgive them, but
instead, it is impossible for them to be forgiven because they have no
desire to turn back to Christ and repent of their sins.
They reject Christ, and therefore will not be saved."
Thank you Pastor Bill for that explanation.
7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
What are you producing? What am I producing? Are we worthless to God?
9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
The evidence of salvation was evident in the people to whom this letter was written. I was once asked, "If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?".
As the writer encourage his readers, I too encourage you to "show the same diligence" in your walk with God.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Hebrews 4:14-5:10
Hebrews 4:14-5:10
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
The Jewish people had priests that would interceed for the people. The high priest would once per year go into the holy of hollies and offer a sacrifice for the entire nation. Jesus is that new high priest. He was the once forever sacrifice for, not just the Jewish people, but the entire world. Now he is interceding for us in heaven.
This new high priest is not just a stranger who does not understand us or our personal problems. Jesus was tempted in every way we are and he did not sin. As I meditate on this truth it should really impact my life.
We can pray with confidence because, Jesus our high priest is there.
7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Jesus was chosen by God to be the sacrifice for the world.
Melchizedek was a priest AND a king. In those days your were one of the other, not both. Jesus prayed that God would find another way to save the world, but God said "No. Trust me.". Jesus obeyed and God made him high priest and King of kings.
I want to point out the God said "no" to his own son because he had a plan that was greater. If this is true and I believe it, why do I get upset when things don't go my way? Am I better than Jesus? The entire point that Hebrews been making is that Jesus is better than the way things have been done. Therefore my only conclusion is "no".
I do not understand why things in my life are the way they are right now. I do know that Jesus my high priest and King, sits in heaven at the right hand of God...a God who loves me and wants what is best for me. I also have the Holy Spirit within me to guide me. That is enough.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
The Jewish people had priests that would interceed for the people. The high priest would once per year go into the holy of hollies and offer a sacrifice for the entire nation. Jesus is that new high priest. He was the once forever sacrifice for, not just the Jewish people, but the entire world. Now he is interceding for us in heaven.
This new high priest is not just a stranger who does not understand us or our personal problems. Jesus was tempted in every way we are and he did not sin. As I meditate on this truth it should really impact my life.
We can pray with confidence because, Jesus our high priest is there.
5 Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.
The high priest is not elected. He is chosen by God. Though the human priest may have been able to empathize, he still had to offer sacrifice for himself. Jesus is better.
Our human pastors and teachers are men called of God. They too are not sin less. They are put here to help us, but they will make mistakes. Offer them the same grace and mercy we receive from God.
5 In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,The high priest is not elected. He is chosen by God. Though the human priest may have been able to empathize, he still had to offer sacrifice for himself. Jesus is better.
Our human pastors and teachers are men called of God. They too are not sin less. They are put here to help us, but they will make mistakes. Offer them the same grace and mercy we receive from God.
“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.”
today I have become your Father.”
6 And he says in another place,
“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”
in the order of Melchizedek.”
Jesus was chosen by God to be the sacrifice for the world.
Melchizedek was a priest AND a king. In those days your were one of the other, not both. Jesus prayed that God would find another way to save the world, but God said "No. Trust me.". Jesus obeyed and God made him high priest and King of kings.
I want to point out the God said "no" to his own son because he had a plan that was greater. If this is true and I believe it, why do I get upset when things don't go my way? Am I better than Jesus? The entire point that Hebrews been making is that Jesus is better than the way things have been done. Therefore my only conclusion is "no".
I do not understand why things in my life are the way they are right now. I do know that Jesus my high priest and King, sits in heaven at the right hand of God...a God who loves me and wants what is best for me. I also have the Holy Spirit within me to guide me. That is enough.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Hebrews 4:1-13
Hebrews 4:1-13
Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.
Does you faith cause you to obey? Do you live at peace even when your life turns bad all around you? I can write all the blogs I want and you can read them too, but if what we read does not cause a change in our faith and our behavior, we really need some self evaluation.
3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
I think back to my actions of the past 24 hours. Nothing was hidden from God. He even saw the motives behind every action. Now I read God's word and I see things that need to change. I hope you chose to change as well.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.
Does you faith cause you to obey? Do you live at peace even when your life turns bad all around you? I can write all the blogs I want and you can read them too, but if what we read does not cause a change in our faith and our behavior, we really need some self evaluation.
3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,
“So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’”
‘They shall never enter my rest.’”
And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. 4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.” 5 And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”
6 Therefore
since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who
formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of
their disobedience, 7 God
again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long
time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”
do not harden your hearts.”
God has finished what he set out to do since the day of creation. I can chose to join him or be against him. God rested after his work and has offered that rest to those who believe. Some have chosen and some will still chose not to believe and they will not enter. If you hear God's voice in your heart, don't ignore it. Chose to believe. Chose to obey.
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
The people entered the promised land and conquered it with God's help under the leadership of Joshua. They had peace, this was not a permanent peace and the rest was not complete. The rest offered by God is superior.
I think back to my actions of the past 24 hours. Nothing was hidden from God. He even saw the motives behind every action. Now I read God's word and I see things that need to change. I hope you chose to change as well.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Hebrews 3:7-19
Hebrews 3:7-19
7 So, as the Holy Spirit says:
16 Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? 17 And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? 19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.
Sometimes I look at the way I act and measure it against what I believe. Then I wonder if I really believe what I claim to believe. I have seen God do incredible things in my life. I know he has forgiven me. I know sin is an abomination to God. Yet there are days when I chose it over God.
Thank you God for sending Jesus to pay the penalty for my sin. Thank you for grace so that I can be forgiven. I desire to enter your rest Lord. I can only do so through belief. God the story in Mark 9 where man brought his son to Jesus to have the unclean spirit removed. Jesus said, “Everything is possible for one who believes.”. And the father's responce is the same as mine today God. “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
7 So, as the Holy Spirit says:
“Today, if you hear his voice,
8 do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion,
during the time of testing in the wilderness,
9 where your ancestors tested and tried me,
though for forty years they saw what I did.
10 That is why I was angry with that generation;
I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray,
and they have not known my ways.’
11 So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”
8 do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion,
during the time of testing in the wilderness,
9 where your ancestors tested and tried me,
though for forty years they saw what I did.
10 That is why I was angry with that generation;
I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray,
and they have not known my ways.’
11 So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”
The Israelites were stubborn and despite all they'd seen they never gave their all to the Lord. Yet here I sit and I know all that I have seen and I too don't give my all to the Lord. Far too often I choose sin over my walk with God.
12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14 We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. 15 As has just been said:
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion.”
do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion.”
Verse 13 reminds me of a comment from Pastor Mark Driscoll. "Your still breathing. There is still hope.". We have today. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not promised, but if we are alive, we have a choice. Today I wanted to harden my heart, skip the blog and go right Netflix. I made the choice not to harden my heart. I made the right choice and it was proven so by the text provided by our omniscient God.
Sometimes I look at the way I act and measure it against what I believe. Then I wonder if I really believe what I claim to believe. I have seen God do incredible things in my life. I know he has forgiven me. I know sin is an abomination to God. Yet there are days when I chose it over God.
Thank you God for sending Jesus to pay the penalty for my sin. Thank you for grace so that I can be forgiven. I desire to enter your rest Lord. I can only do so through belief. God the story in Mark 9 where man brought his son to Jesus to have the unclean spirit removed. Jesus said, “Everything is possible for one who believes.”. And the father's responce is the same as mine today God. “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Hebrews 3:1-6
Hebrews 3:1-6
Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. 2 He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house.
I so needed this today. Once again my land lady is saying one thing, I make plans, and then she changes her mind. The battle for being grateful for vs being bitter has battled since last night. I'm taking my thoughts off my situation and fixing them on Jesus. He is faithful. He is not going to change his mind.
3 Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. 4 For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. 5 “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,” bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. 6 But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house.
Jesus' honor is greater than that of Moses. Jesus position is higher than Moses. As God's Son, he is the head of God's house and Moses was a servant. Once again we see that Jesus is greater than Moses. This book of Hebrews is written to Jews. The author (believed to be Paul) is showing the Jesus is superior in every way.
And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.
We are God's house or his building project. What a privileged position we hold to be worked on by God himself.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. 2 He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house.
I so needed this today. Once again my land lady is saying one thing, I make plans, and then she changes her mind. The battle for being grateful for vs being bitter has battled since last night. I'm taking my thoughts off my situation and fixing them on Jesus. He is faithful. He is not going to change his mind.
3 Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. 4 For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. 5 “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,” bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. 6 But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house.
Jesus' honor is greater than that of Moses. Jesus position is higher than Moses. As God's Son, he is the head of God's house and Moses was a servant. Once again we see that Jesus is greater than Moses. This book of Hebrews is written to Jews. The author (believed to be Paul) is showing the Jesus is superior in every way.
And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.
We are God's house or his building project. What a privileged position we hold to be worked on by God himself.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
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