Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above....

James 1

 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above....v16-17

It is important to understand who God is and to understand the depth and breadth of his greatness.  He created the heavens and the earth and everything in between - all of its inhabitants.  He chose each us then suffered and died for us...knowing everything about us, including our brokenness.  He is of course ALL of the fruits of the Spirit - a God we not only should desire but a God we desperately need in our lives and a God we should seek daily.  All of our life comes from Him - we are need of nothing else because all good things and all things we need come from Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You indeed are a great God.  I know You love me.  I desperately need You in my life - I am broken.  You have saved me but I need ongoing cleansing and transformation.  I know You are not done with me.  Thank You for the many blessings You provide and for Your mercy. Please forgive me for my selfishness.  Help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me truly lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me understand, be obedient to and apply Your message for me today and every day.

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

James 1

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. v13-15

I have held for sometime that selfish desires are symptoms of our sinful nature (in us but not from God - instead from Satan) and that when we focus on renewing our mind (Romans 12) God transforms our hearts, minds, and lives to the extent that we can recognize these symptoms when they occur and be better equipped to prevent sin from taking a serious hold in our lives...this has certainly helped me.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God that You provide Your Son, Your Holy Spirit, Your Word, the church, brothers and sisters in Christ - all so that we can protect ourselves from sin and gain Your protection.  How awesome!  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am not worth such protection - I continue to sin - complaining is my sin today among my many.  Forgive me Jesus.  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa comfort, strength, and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me put on the armor of God and defeat sin in my life and in the life of others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

James 1

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. v5-6

In my last post, I shared a website that discussed James as the "bossiest" book in the Bible based on its use of imperative verbs.  Today, I hear God talking to me about wisdom.

First, God is the only source of truth, knowledge and wisdom.  We MUST go to Him for clarity on any matter.  Yes, earthly knowledge is important, but it COMES from God (see v17) and it must be used in the name of God (see 1 Corinthians 12, 1 Timothy 4).  Second, we become more like God   (unchanging, stable, etc.) as we invite, assume, and assimilate more truth into our heart and life.  Third, I must believe and have faith in the truth You divine even if I don't like it.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of power, love, compassion, etc.  You are also truth, and the source of all knowledge and wisdom.  No action, no decision should be informed by any source other than You.  I know that if I ask for wisdom in Your Name, it will be given to me...I may not like but I know it is Truth.  You are a great God and I need no other God.  Thank You for the wisdom You have provided me in my life and for the many, many blessings!  I am blessed well beyond what I deserve.  I am weak - I am selfish, I complain, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort, and freedom from pain.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

James 1

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. v2-3

I read a post this morning that it is believed based on the use of imperative verbs that James is the "bossiest book in the bible".  Kinda interesting....in these two early verses of James I am reminded how I am to consider it pure joy during this current trial with Lisa where she is going through cancer treatment...not easy but when I think about it, James is saying "consider" and when you look up the definition of consider here, the implication is that we are to keep in top of mind during our trial that God is doing this for our good and His glory and that we should be honored.  We are in fact His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, everything You do is perfect - Your will, designs, plans, works, everything!  What our family is experiencing right now is according to Your plan...I know..even though it is indeed a trial.  You have seen us through trials previously and You will with this one as well.  You are great!  Thank You for Your love, protection, encouragement, etc.  I am not worth such blessings.  I am selfish, angry, lazy, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me consider this and all of my trials as pure joy.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort, and freedom from pain.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

Hebrews 13

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. v17

I know God has place leaders in my life, church leads, work leaders, etc. that are for my benefit.  Scripture elsewhere commands me to obey leadership:

• Romans 13
• 1 Timothy 6

"[I]t is of no benefit to to [me]" if I disobey leadership and there work is a burden.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and You have placed leadership in my life for my good and You do SO much for me - I know You love me in ways that I cannot describe or imagine. Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love Jesus.  I am broken and sinful.  I need You desperately in my life.  I am selfish, stubborn, harsh, impatient, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin.  Help me turn towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me submit to ALL of my leaders...help me support them.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort and freedom from pain. Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.

Hebrews 13

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. v15

My Prayer: God is Holy, He IS the fruit of the Spirit - He IS the spirit through which the fruit is available, the creator of the heavens and the earth, and the one true God.  He provides, protects, heals, and does all things...for me.  What a great God Jesus is!  He knows everything about me yet He provides and saves anyway...He came for me, specifically for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and service - I am broken.  I am selfish, impatient, quick to anger, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me continually offer to You a sacrifice of praise and to openly profess Your name and Your greatness.    Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort, and freedom from pain.  Heal her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

Hebrews 13

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. v1-2

The Bible says alot about God's love and God wants us to love like He does....check out this interesting infographic here on God's love. See also John 13:


“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” v34-35

My anger, pride, selfishness, etc. gets in the way of this command.  I desperately need God's forgiveness to transform my heart and life.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed great capable of anything.  I have seen You transform my life and the lives of others.  Thank You for what You have done for me and for being my God...available when I call Your name.  What a great God You are.  Please forgive me for my sin and help me overcome my anger, selfishness, impatience, etc. and my long list of sin.  Help me turn from such sins towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do....REALLY.  Help me grow in my faith. Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Please help this MRI be clean.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”

Hebrews 12

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” v28-29

Jesus, I know that You will never go away, Your words will never go away and that I should have 100% confidence and faith in You...a faith that is based on reverence and awe.  I should have such faith because if I don't believe in Him I am subject to destruction...which is what I deserve anyway for my sin.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are so full of grace, compassion, patience, etc.  I sin...repeatedly, sometimes knowing full well what I am doing...forgive me Jesus!  You have forgiven me for all of my sins already but I need You daily to do this...I am lazy, quick to anger and slow to listen...again Jesus please help me and forgive.  You are a great God and You have blessed me beyond what I deserve - thank You Jesus!  Help me turn from my sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Help me live in reverence and awe of You...daily...and to base my faith on this reverence and awe.  Help me have in my heart Your permanent nature and Your permanent words.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. v14

I recently said that "I don't get along with so-and-so"...how wrong and sinful!  God blesses me beyond what I deserve and my actions are like spitting in His face!  Please forgive me Jesus!  I need You desperately in my life.   

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for all of the many blessings You provide!  I am not deserving.  I reject Your commands or I am not obedient.  Please forgive me!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort, and freedom from pain.  Please heal her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Please also heal Kay and Lacey!  Help me also understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  Help me be peaceful with everyone! 

"My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

Hebrews 12

"My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
    and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” v5-6

Whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, it is instructive to understand what God is saying to us and what He is doing FOR us because as Solomon above writes in Proverbs (as quoted above by the author of Hebrews) whatever hardship we may be experiencing should be viewed as discipline and training from the Lord.

It continues in Hebrews:

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. v7-11

My Prayer: Lord You are a great God worthy of my worship and my full attention and focus on You.  You created the heavens and the earth and You created me and came to earth to suffer and die for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and such gifts - I am broken, selfish, arrogant, prideful, etc.  Please forgive me for my sin and help me overcome and turn from such towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help grow in my faith.  Help me endure hardship as discipline.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

Hebrews 12

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. v1-2

We are Christ's Ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) - given the gospel and told to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to all.  People know this and are watching us...these are our witnesses.  Because we have witnesseses we must as best as possible avoid sin and be Holy...as God asks us.  (Leviticus 11:44-45, 19:2, 20:7).  We must also persevere by fixing our focus on Jesus.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus You are a great God - pure, Holy and blameless.  You came to earth to suffer and die for me, knowing everything about me including my sin.  You persevered...for me.  What a great God - thank You for all that You are and all that You do.  I am not worth such a God.  I am broken.  I am lazy and too quick to anger...among my many sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me focus my eyes on You...help me avoid sin.  Protect me.  Help me persevere.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa comfort, strength, and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with uswould they be made perfect.

Hebrews 11

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with uswould they be made perfect. v39-40

In yesterday's post, I wrote about how we should understand how we are foreigners and strangers on earth but citzens of earth.  This morning I read about how heroes of the Bible from Abraham on all lived by faith, focusing not on their time on earth but on Heaven and on God's promise.  We should all focus and rest on God's promise.

My Prayer: God You are a great God who has reserved a place in Heaven for all who believe in You, including me...broken and all.  What a great God You are Jesus that You would suffer and die and do so much for me.  I am broken and in desperate need of You.  Please forgive me for me selfishness and my laziness.  Help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.   Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort and freedom from pain.  Help me focus on Heaven and eternal rewards...not on my time here on earth.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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.

Hebrews 11

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. v16

I know I should focus on the eternal - because I a foreigner and stranger on this earth.  My home is Heaven - where Christ has prepared a place for me.  

Jesus encourages me along similar lines:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy,and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

Paul also writes about not conforming to the patterns of this world:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

My Prayer: Jesus, You are a great God full of love and gentleness, compassion, patience, mercy, etc.  I know I am deserving of death for that is the wages of sin.  This morning I am full of lust and shame...please forgive me!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me focus on the eternal and on You - so that I can avoid conforming to this world.  Instead I desire to renew my mind with Your Word, Your good, pleasing and perfect will.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and everyday.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Hebrews 11

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. v1

God wants us to focus on Him and on things eternal - His Word, doing His Word (James 1)...we exist soley to glorify God.

Later on in this chapter the implication is that I am encouraged to refer to myself as a foreigner and stranger on earth.

Too often, however, I focus on what is seen vs unseen - please forgive me Jesus!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus You are a great God full of love and patience for me.  You came for me...You chose me...knowing everything about me including my sin.  What a great God You are.  I am not worth such love and sacrifice. I am broken - I too often focus on what I see...not on glorifying You.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me glorify You with my life Jesus.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort, and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help her feel better today.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

Hebrews 10

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. v26-27

I know that I have received the knowledge of the truth and I know that I sin and I know there are sins for me that are very tempting - yet as this verse indicates I must be careful not to deliberately sin with such knowledge.  Please help me Jesus!

My Prayer: Jesus, You are a great God that has not only beat sin but also death.  You know and have experienced everything that I have experienced including temptation - yet You on earth were pure, holy and blameless.  How awesome a God are You - that You would suffer and die for even though You were undeserving of such punishment.  Thank You Jesus for doing this for me!  I am not worth such a gift because there are times when I deliberately sin...knowing truth.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me beat temptation and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa comfort, energy, and strength - please heal her of this cancer and help her today heal.  Please help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 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.

Hebrews 10

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 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. v19-22

Key for me in these verses is that we should have confidence in Jesus that He can save us both from being slave to sin (and shame) and from death itself.  One thing that stands out is that while we may avoid a guilty conscience, we do not escape consequences of sin either here on Earth or in Heaven. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You have once and for all freed me from being slave to sin and You give me eternal life - what amazing gifts these are!  I am not worth such gifts!  I am lazy, harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions, and I am weak - easily distracted.  Please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me have the peace and strength that comes with complete confidence to approach You and believe in You. Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, energy, comfort, and freedom from pain - please heal her of this cancer and help her feel better today!  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.

Hebrews 8

By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear. v13

Expanded, this chapter also includes:

For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. 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.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. 

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. 

 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.

For I will forgive their wickedness
    and will remember their sins no more.” v7-12

God found fault with the Israelites then and now "for all sin fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)".

For this reason, we are all in need of this New Covenant - Jesus Christ.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Name Above All Names - worthy of my worship and focus.  Yet I often focus elsewhere - please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome such desires and instead focus solely on You.  Help me turn from my sins towards You Jesus!  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me go to You - daily and throughout my day.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort, and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help her with these side effects - make them go away!  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

Hebrews 7

Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. v26

We often may think about our earthly pastors or those within our church and whether our needs are met for sermons that inspire or brothers and sisters in Christ who are able to encourage and support us - yet our focus should be on Jesus - He is the one who truly meets our needs!

See also:
John 4
Matthew 6

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You provide for all of my needs - spiritual, physical, etc.  All I need is You - yet I often seek other sources of provision.  I am weak.  I know You love me knowing everything about me including my sin.  I am deeply grateful for this but undeserving of such love.  Please forgive me for being distracted.  I do want to love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me turn from my sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me seek only You.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa, comfort, strength and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Please help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

Hebrews 6

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. v19

Regardless of what we are experiencing, we have hope...and this hope comes from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Similar scriptures:
James 1
Philippians 3
 2 Corinthians 1
Romans 8

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God.  Through trials and suffering you train and equip us - giving us hope that You are always there and using us and our experiences for Your glory and our good.  How awesome are You!  I am in awe that, knowing everything about me, including my sin, You came to earth to suffer and die for me.  I am not worth such an act - while I am deeply grateful I am broken and sinful.  Lazy, impatient, full of anger and impatience, harsh with my thoughts, words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me appreciate the hope that I have.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa comfort, strength and comfort.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Hebrews 6

We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. v12

Jesus our Lord and Savior gives all of us skills and abilities - gifts - that He wants us to use for His Glory.  At the same time we are not be lazy.

See also:
1 Timothy 4
1 Corinthians 12
Luke 12
Matthew 25

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your designs and Your works are amazing - how You designed all of Your children with skills and abilities that we can share and work together and how You designed the heavens and the earth and all of its inhabitants.  That I get to experience Your designs and works as well as salvation are amazing gifts - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such gifts.  I am lazy.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You Jesus.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me use my gifts for Your glory.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength, comfort, and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Hebrews 5

But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. v14

We are encouraged by the author to push ourselves in our relationship with Jesus...to go beyond our comfort zone....to grow.

In the larger context the author says:

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 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! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. v11-14

It continues in Hebrews 6:

Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity....v1 

A key way for us to grow is to be active and to take on roles in our church, in the house, and in the community that stretch us to beyond our comfort zone.  We are to be active:

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25

My Prayer: Lord You are an awesome God full of love and compassion for Your children, me specifically - I am not worth such love and compassion - I am full of anger and rage.  Please forgive me!  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You Jesus.  Thank You Jesus for all of the many blessings You provide - a job, a home, my health, Lisa's progress with her treatments, my family, my church, etc.  I am blessed beyond what I deserve.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow and mature in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort, and freedom from pain.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.