We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 6

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:19-20

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. This morning, I maintain my focus on Hebrews 6:9-20, as I lean on my commentary, and how it unpacks the third division "The Hope Behind the Curtain," which refers to Hebrews 6:19-20.  Here, the commentary highlights how, in the midst of the ups and downs of life, we all need "an anchor for the soul...The promises of God are firm and secure enough to hold us steady in a storm."  The commentary then highlights (and wraps on this note) how Jesus's death on the cross "accomplish[ed] all that God’s justice required [for our sin]....As our great high priest, Jesus has purchased our salvation and assured us of the promises of God."  This assurance provides a supernatural confidence, hope, and peace that only Jesus offers - believe!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for this assurance, and the supernatural confidence, hope and peace that it provides.  I am not deserving of such assurance.  My sin is great and it continues...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.

It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Hebrews 2

It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Hebrews 2:3b-4

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 2:3b-4, the second of three divisions in Hebrews 2:1-9, and the commentary builds on yesterday's warning to "spiritually hear" the messages of the gospel, and to "anchor" ourselves to the Word, lest we drift away towards eternal damnation. The commentary shares that if Jesus is more superior than angels, "[h]ow much more guilty, then, are those who reject the “great salvation” declared by the incarnate Lord himself? This new stage in redemptive history brings great privileges, but also great responsibilities."  The commentary then pivots to describe how Christ's message - the New Covenant brought about by His blood - is superior to angels' messages in four ways:

• Spoken to us by the Lord - v3b
  
• "Confirmed to us by those who heard [Him]" - v3b
• God himself testified the veracity of gospel "by signs and wonders and various miracles" - v4
• Through the showering and distribution spiritual gifts throughout the church - v4

On this last point, the commentary emphasizes that "the author of Hebrews helps us strip away our misconceptions about why spiritual gifts exist. Spiritual gifts are not an end to themselves to be used for our personal, private enjoyment. Spiritual gifts edify the church (see also 1 Corinthians 14:3-5; Ephesians 4:11-12) and testify that Jesus Christ is Lord."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are a great God who not only gave me ears to spiritually hear Your message, but You also gave me salvation and so much more - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such grace.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and help me turn from my sin towards You.  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 understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Ephraim is like a dove, easily deceived and senseless—now calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria.

Hosea 7

Ephraim is like a dove, easily deceived and senseless—now calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria. v11

Unless we have God as our anchor and firm foundation, we will waver and be blown and tossed about from idol to idol.  We want to avoid being just like Ephraim (Israel) and and Judah in the days of Hosea.  

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:19

With God, we will not waver.  See also the parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awe some God who loves me and who provides with a firm foundation upon which I cannot waver - thank You Jesus!  What an amazing God You are!  I am not worth such love and such a God.  I worry.  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.  Please 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 fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

Psalm 111

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. v10

Both David and Solomon understand that God is the source of all of our abilities - including what we can do with our minds. With my worry, I often am concerned whether I am doing enough or whether I am doing the right thing - overthinking matters.  Instead of letting my mind wander - I should anchor myself to the Lord and His Word and let the Holy Spirit fill me.  I must FULLY submit to Him, including my thoughts.

Lord Jesus, please fill my head with fear and thoughts of You - for You are a great God who loves me.  

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. 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 6:17-19

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are great indeed and I know that You love me, despite my sin and brokenness. Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love because 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 do.  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.