Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.

James 1

Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. v9

Humility is a topic discussed frequently in scripture, emphasizing that others cannot see Jesus in us unless we remain humble.  Humility does not imply lack of confidence - on the contrary, believers have confidence.  Their confidence, however, rests in Christ as we have access to the same power that raised Christ from the dead.  This is similar to what John Piper sees as "The Happy Paradoxes of Christian Freedom and Slavery".

On the subject of paradoxes, it becomes interesting to look at the topic of mystery vs understanding - and Piper once again has a great post on this topic.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are that You love me and give me BOTH wisdom and mystery - causing me to draw near to You to depend on You for all things. I love You.  I am not deserving of such love and blessing that comes from You.  I worry...far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  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. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Hebrews 13

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. v15-16

We no longer need to offer animal sacrifices but instead we are to offer our bodies (and lives) as as a "living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1).  As part of our living sacrifice we are to "do good" and "share with others".  Similar to my post from a couple of days ago, we are to be a light.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who sacrificed Your life...for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a gift - the greatest gift of all time.  I worry and I fall down in the roles You desire for me - as a father, husband, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  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

In v18-28, we see a distinction in our relationship with God - in the Old Covenant, and now with the New Covenant. We previously did not directly communicate with God but only through prophets such as Moses.  Now we longer need a mediator as Jesus went to the cross and He became the final sacrifice, and the veil was torn, allowing us who believe direct access to the Most High Place where we can have an eternal and personal relationship with God the Father.

We also have this kingdom that cannot be shaken. When everything around us is shaken and fails, we have a God who is faithful and upon Him we can rest as He is our rock.

Finally, God is a consuming fire and it is this power that drive us into His arms.  See also post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who has both the power to save and to destroy - You are all powerful, all knowing, and I KNOW You love me.  Thank You Jesus.  I know You know everything about me, including my sin.  I also know You have the power to do anything You wish to me - and for this I am driven closer to You....because I love You and because and respect who You are.  Thank You for the many blessings You pour out on me. I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it is daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  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

We exist to glorify God and to bring others to Jesus (see also here) - plain and simple to save them. The author of Hebrews makes it clear in v14 that people are watching us (believers) and if they don't see "holiness" in us they won't be drawn to Jesus. 

V14-17 include other warnings/encouragements, including:
- to be on guard for bitter roots that prevent fruit or in other words for "hinder[ance]s and the sin that so easily entangles" (v1)
- to avoid sexual immorality or godlessness, using Esau as an example of someone who through the promise of quick earthly satisfaction (a meal) threw away his father's blessing (v16-17)

On the subject of v14, there are MANY other scriptures about how we are to be a light. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who came to save me and feeds me - well beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  I worry and I have other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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.

Hebrews 12

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. v11

Speaking on discipline, the author of Hebrews wants us to view our circumstances in light of how we have a Heavenly Father that disciplines just as we all had an earthly father that did the same (v4-11).  We should view hardship as discipline (v7) and training and other circumstances as well as discipline and training.  If God has great plans for us, then He should be equipping us for those plans as well should He not?

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. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

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. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. v1-3

John Piper offers - in my view - an extraordinary encouragement on these verses, particularly with respect to how we should not run aimlessly.

Piper says:
- "So into the church has crept the disease of drifting and neglecting. People are growing careless, spiritually lazy, and negligent." 
- "They have begun to have a kind of lazy sense of security. A false notion that nothing really huge is at stake in their small group meetings or whether they meditate on the Bible or take time alone to pray or fight sin. They assume all will be well. Hebrews is written to teach them otherwise."
- "They made a profession of faith and went into a passive, coasting mode. This is utterly wrong."
- "Endure, persevere, run, fight, be alert, be strengthened, don’t drift, don’t neglect, don’t be sluggish, don’t take your eternal security for granted".
- "Don’t stroll, don’t meander, don’t wander about aimlessly. Run as in a race with a finish line and with everything hanging on it."
- "Then along comes a text like this which says that passivity and coasting and drifting are mortally dangerous."

We must RUN...and FIX OUR EYES on Jesus - this requires focus!  Focus implies a plan.

Piper suggests we "plan [a] fall run with Jesus".

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has provided MANY great witnesses, Your Word, The Holy Spirit, the church, my brothers and sisters in Christ, all of which give me coaching training, etc. - thank You Jesus!  I know You are always with me.  I am undeserving of such love.  I am harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  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.

Hebrews 11

Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. v16

In this chapter of Hebrews, often referred to as the Faith Hall of Fame or Hall of Faith, the author gives us several descriptions of faith, along with examples from the Bible of those who "lived by faith" (v13).  Believers must not live for the things of THIS world be instead be focused on pleasing God and eternal rewards.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who provides forgiveness of sin, eternity in Heaven, and abundance in this life - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

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.

Hebrews 10

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. v34

In my view this morning, in v26-39, there are a couple of nuggets worth a pause, including not just v34 but also v26-27:

 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.  

Willful sin, or sins of commission DO threaten a believer's salvation but John Piper points out that this such sin must be a more deliberate, continued, and settled pattern of sin.  Regardless of the distinction Piper makes, believers nonetheless should be on guard for willful sin as we don't want to separate ourselves from God. 

With v34, we have a picture of how God provides something of so much value that we can endure and persevere through those times of challenge, trial and suffering.

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. Philippians 3:8-9

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have been with me - always...through all the challenges, trials, and suffering.  Thank You Jesus!  Knowing You and being in Your family is worth more than anything else in my life.  I am grateful.  Yet I am undeserving for how You love and bless me.  I worry and I have many other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 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.

Hebrews 10

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 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. v24-25

As a result of Jesus sacrifice on the cross, the author of Hebrews wants us to "hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful (v23)."  Our ability to "hold unswervingly to the hope" we have in Jesus is very difficult outside of our brothers and sisters in Christ who spur us on through encouragement and sharpening.

John Piper provides many other scripture examples on these topics.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me brothers and sisters in Christ who encourage me and help me grow into who You desire for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and encouragement.  I am often harsh with my words and actions and I gossip.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help em grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: "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."

Hebrews 10

The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: "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." v15-16

As I pivot from "Christ's service" in 7:1-10:18 to warnings about persecution and falling away from faith in Hebrews 10:19-31, I paused this morning on v15-16 where the "Holy Spirit also testifies".  The Holy Spirit is an important aspect of our faith.  John Piper's excellent post tells us that:

1. the Holy Spirit is a person not an impersonal force. 
2. the Holy Spirit is God not a creation of God.

Piper uses John 14-16 and Romans 8:9–11 as scripture examples to illustrate the above two points.  He writes how we are living in the "prominence of God the Holy Spirit", and believers once lived in the "prominence of God the Father", and during the days of Christ's earthly life, in the "prominence of God the Son".  Piper wants us to recognize how favored we are and how thankful we should be for the Holy Spirit...indeed.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I DO feel favored and I AM thankful to have the Holy Spirit because I know it is Christ IN me - thank You Jesus!  I feel the love of Jesus through the Spirit!  Thank You!  I am not deserving of such love...I sin...daily.  Please forgive me.  Help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 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.

Hebrews 9

Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 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. v27-28

Here in Hebrews 9 we have a discussion of Christ's second coming.  We don't talk about this second coming much in church so I thought it would be useful to learn more about this.  I found the following John Piper posts useful.

What Is the Rapture?
Our Hope: The Appearing of Jesus Christ

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who came to save me - Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of salvation but You provide it anyway through amazing grace.  Again...thank You!  I am not deserving because of my sin, which I have daily...worry among other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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!

Hebrews 9

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! v14

In chapter 9, the author of Hebrews continues to compare and contrast the First Covenant and the New Covenant, with the focus this morning on worship, the tabernacle, and sacrifice.  Note how Jesus offered himself as an unblemished, eternal sacrifice - "SO THAT we may serve the living God"!  

While he uses another text - 1 Peter 2 - John Piper delivers the same message here. Through Christ, we achieve both freedom from the sting of sin and death and freedom to serve.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who died for me so that I would no longer be slave to sin - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a gift...I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.

Hebrews 8

For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. v12

Referencing Jeremiah 31:31-34, the author or Hebrews focuses on the "obsolete" and "outdated" nature of the First Covenant and how the New Covenant, based on Jesus' blood, is superior because it it is based on better promises (v6).  After the Israelites escaped Egypt, they suffered from a continuous

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

Hebrews 7

Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 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. v26-27

In describing Christ as a high priest, the author of Hebrews gives a great summary of some of the key attributes of our Lord and Savior.  More than anything, I am struck by how Jesus "truly meets our need".  Truly is defined as "with exactness of construction or operation" - in essence our need is met perfectly and only by God (see John Piper post here).  Note how the author uses the word need in the singular - implying that salvation is our greatest need above all (see also a Biblical worldview of Maslow's hierarchy of needs discussed here).  

While believers can acknowledge that we all sin and need a Savior (and that Jesus is that Savior) it is nonetheless important to examine our priorities and to remind ourselves of the primacy of our relationship with Jesus.

Jesus meets our need.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a a great God who meets my need - You do this solely and perfectly - thank You Jesus! I need You daily.  Yet I am undeserving of how You feed and sustain me.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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

Hebrews 6

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. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. v18-19

If we are to endure and persevere in this life (see post yesterday), we need encouragement - for some of us this is particularly difficult this time of year.  Writing to us on "the certainty of God’s promise", the author of Hebrews writes of "two unchangeable things" that give us this certainty we should have in Christ.  God first makes a promise to Abraham (and to us  - note also that God makes many promises to us), then He makes an oath.  John Piper refers to this as "double security".

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

For no word from God will ever fail. Luke 1:37

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You give me hope and GREAT encouragement!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  I worry and I have other sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 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 want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. v11-12

In v4-10, the author is warning us of a fate that awaits those who fall away.  John Piper addresses this very topic and I think he nails it here.  Piper, using the same analogy from Hebrews 6 (v8), warns us that a "persistently fruitless" faith that leads to a state of mind where we "are unwilling to put [our] faith into practice, and so [our] faculties are getting dull, right and wrong are becoming hazy...".

We must be obedient, have faith in action, and be "doers" of the Word.  

We must also persevere and have endurance as we run the race.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who will never leave or forsake me - thank You Jesus!  I need You badly as I run the race of faith.  You provide courage, endurance, etc. - thank You.  I am not deserving of such love and blessings - I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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.

Hebrews 5

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. v12-14

Hebrews' author continues (see also post yesterday) to describe Jesus as high priest in the order of Melchizedek - however, we are to understand that, according to John Piper, " Jesus Christ, God's Son, has not just come to fit into the earthly system of priestly ministry as the best and final human priest, but he has come to fulfill and put an end to that system and to orient all our attention on himself ministering for us in heaven".  This description of Christ's priesthood continues into chapter 10 and here in chapter 5 the author pauses to describe spiritual maturity (which extends into Hebrews 6:1-3).

I am reminded from previous posts that John Piper, a pastor I respect and follow, writes how spiritual maturity for believers is not optional. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has done away with animal sacrifices and similar ceremonial laws - giving me access to a personal Lord and Savior that I can approach with confidence without such ceremonial laws. I am grateful Jesus that You are my PERSONAL Lord and Savior and that You reign forever and throughout the heavens and the universe.  You are Lord of Lords and Kings.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God that You died for me and that You continue to love me.  I worry and I have other sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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. 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.

Hebrews 4

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. 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. v15-16

Yesterday, I posted about how "a fear of God knowing about our disobedience and fear of God's understanding of this disobedience should drive us closer to God".   We should desire to draw close God as well based on my scripture for today v15-16.

First we have a God who is - unlike anyone else - able to empathize with us because He has been tempted in EVERY way but did not sin.  He also knows everything about our thoughts and deeds yet He STILL loves us and for believers adopts us into His family.

We CAN approach Him in confidence.

See also posts here. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has laid down His life for me - nailing my sin to the cross.  You know everything about me yet You still surrendered Your life for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. 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. 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.

Hebrews 4

Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. 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. 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. v11-13

The author of Hebrews continues to warn us about falling away...towards sin and unbelief.  The author wants to avoid the fate of unbelief - a fate of struggle in this world and damnation eternally - see also John Piper on this rest.  I get it...life can be painful and full of struggle.  But God IS with us and gives us rest...a rest that is not available elsewhere in this life and an eternal rest...for those who believe.

A key point Piper raises is how disobedience is seen by God - He reveals it to us in our reading of the Word (so we should be reading the Word to stay obedient) and He knows all about all of our disobedience.  A fear of God knowing about our disobedience and fear of God's understanding of this disobedience should drive us closer to God. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who helps me understand my sin so that I can shed myself of these impurities - I desire to be refined by You.  Thank You Jesus for helping me in this way - I am grateful!  Yet I am undeserving of such love.  I sin daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message to me today and every day.

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

Hebrews 3

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. v12-13

We don't want to turn away from God but instead away from sin and towards God.  Others in our sphere of influence (i.e. children) may be tempted so our role should be to encourage others and we can do so by modeling Jesus - the more others see (and hear about) Jesus in us, the more likely they will desire Jesus and turn towards Him.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, feeds me, and encourages me - I cannot exist without You and I know You will never leave or forsake me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings and such love.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me and help me turn from such sin and to turn to and draw near to You.  I desire to become more like You.  Please help me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

Hebrews 1

In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment.  You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end. v10-12

Although we don't know Hebrews' author, we can still determine key context critical for us to better understand this great book.  Both OverviewBible.com and MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase) indicate that encouragement for Messianic Jews facing persecution was the key objective for the author.  Both of these sources also indicate Hebrews as doctrine heavy so it is likely I will be parked in this book for a bit.

As I start Hebrews I pause on v10-12 and linger on God's permanent and unchangeable nature.  We know God loves us and because of his eternal and unchanging nature we can rely on Him and Him alone vs anyone or anything else.

God makes SO MANY great promises to us - they will all come to pass as He is faithful!

 My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves and who will always love me .and never leave me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God who loves me as You do.  I sin...daily and more than I can even recognize.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary.

Philemon 1

But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. v14

In this short letter, a prison epistle from Paul to Philemon and his church in Colosse, Paul focus primarily on urging Philemon to forgive his former slave Onesimus from stealing from him and running away.  Onesimus ends up in Rome and meeting Paul where he becomes a believer.  Paul sends Philemon this letter through Onesimus - and it is a picture of Christian love.  For more on this book, see OverviewBible.com and the MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase).  

Paul is in a position to force Philemon to forgive Onesimus but rather he uses this as a teaching moment - he wants this to be voluntary.  As such, Paul uses scripture to encourage Philemon to exercise Christian love and grace with Onesimus.

Just as Christ willingly surrendered His life for us, Christ wants us to willingly exercise love with others. 

Christ does the same thing with money - we are to be a cheerful giver (see 2 Corinthians 9:7).

This is not a natural act as we are born sinners but with renewal of the mind, believers can love and forgive others as Christ does for us (see also post yesterday).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who willingly laid down Your life for me - thank You.  Without a doubt, the most amazing gift of all time - not just for me but for all of humanity.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and a gift.  I am selfish...among my many sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

Titus 3

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. v1-5

As Paul closes his letter to Titus, he moves from what Titus shouldn't do (hypocrisy) to what Titus should do - which is think of God has done for you and let this serve as a reminder that we are to love and forgive others as God loves and forgives us. 

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.” John 13:34-35

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32

We will not be able to play the role God's intends for us in the Great Commission if we are not modeling Jesus to others - particularly in church leadership. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and forgives me - and You died for me...knowing everything about me, including my sin.  Thank You Jesus - I am not deserving of such a gift and such blessings.  I worry and I have other sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance....Do not let anyone despise you.

Titus 2

Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance....Do not let anyone despise you. v2, 15

Building on my post from a couple of days ago regarding hypocrisy and how we are to be a light to others, Paul encourages Titus to encourage those in his church to live lives worthy of respect and emulation by those who see them.  Paul addresses multiple roles, including older men (of which of course I am at this point), older women, younger women, and younger men.  Paul also addresses and slaves, yet this is a topic onto itself, including a discussion regarding Biblical views on slavery (sin) and joy in work (see also this post) - on the latter MacArthur believes the use of the term slaves in the Bible should be applied to "all employees".   

In v15, Paul reinforces my post from a couple of days ago by charging Titus to live in such a way that you cannot be accused of hypocrisy as this is believed to cause great harm within the church. ng

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who lived a spotless life - yet You willingly surrendered Your life for me - thank You Jesus!  This is the greatest gift of all time.  Of course I am undeserving of such a gift as sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it....They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him.

Titus 1

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it....They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. v9,16

Both the MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase), and Overviewbible.com indicate that Paul's purpose in writing this pastoral epistle to Titus is to encourage Titus in his leadership in the church in Crete to prepare, organize, and equip the church there for effective evangelization among the pagans living in Crete.  Paul writes about attributes for elders and focuses on avoiding hypocrisy - we must not believe and say one thing and do another.

We are ALL guilty of hypocrisy to some degree but we must push ourselves to grow and mature in relationship with Christ so that we don't deter others from faith because of the hypocritical lives we lead.

We must be a light to others.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who led a perfect life - yet willingly surrendered Your life for me so that I could have life - to the full in this life and in Heaven - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings and such gifts.  I often sin and fall down, and am guilty of hypocrisy.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

2 Timothy 4

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. v8

As Paul begins to wind down his final words to Timothy, he focuses once again on the final days (v3-4) and how Timothy (we) is (are) to "keep [our] head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of [our] ministry." (v5)

Our circumstances and the world around us will continue to change and often be very difficult, but God does not change, He is always with us and our focus should not change which is to glorify God and do so until we meet Him in Heaven.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, who is my rock, will never leave me and is SO full of grace, compassion, etc.  I cannot exist without You - thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of such a God.  I am harsh with my words and thoughts.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.