We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away

Hebrews 2:1

Yesterday evening our BSF class dove into Hebrews and this particular verse struck me both like a whack on the head (warning) and as a tug on my heart strings (encouragement).

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

I certainly don't want to drift away from Christ but too often I feel "anchored" to other Gods, whether it be my work, tennis, sexual urges, or even my own leisure (because I deserve rest and relaxation!).  On this latter point, I need to recognize that I worship my leisure time.

For all of this, I am deeply sorry and I desire to run back into the welcoming arms of my Lord Jesus Christ, just as the prodigal son was welcomed back by his father.

At the same time, I seek to repent from my sins, just as Peter so confidently admonished the Israelites to do on the day of Pentecost:

 ³⁷ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 

 ³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

 ⁴⁰ With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” (Acts 2:37-40)

My Prayer: Lord, I know Your love for me is both deep and wide.  That You love me both inspires and encourages me, yet at the same time, I feel Satan's attacks daily in many forms.  And I fall prey to his attacks.  Lord please forgive me for drifting away, even for a moment or a day.  I never want to leave you.  Please help me stay near to you.

...Sustaining All Things By His Powerful Word.

Hebrews 1

While the author of Hebrews is not known, it is clear to me that one of the primary purposes of the book is to encourage believers.

One of the most encouraging lines is early on:

³ The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. 

Over the past year or so, my desire for God's word has grown and it has fed and even greater desire for His word.  As well, God's word has not only sustained me, but it is transformed both my heart and my life!

My Prayer: Lord, You are radiant beyond the brightest sun.  Yet I do things in my life to block Your light - please forgive me Lord for not allowing Your light to shine throughout all areas of my life.  Thank you for your grace and the blessings in my life and help me love you with all of my heart.

Do We Respond With Certainty and With Confidence Only the Holy Spirit Can Provide?

Acts 28

As Paul makes his way to Rome to meet with Caeser, he and his companions are shipwrecked but find safety in Malta.  While on shore, he is bitten by a viper but his response is nonchalant:

⁴When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” ⁵ But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. ⁶ The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. 

While there is no mention of a more dramatic response from Paul to this snake attack, one is left to assume that he did not scream or agonize - almost as if the attack was expected and the outcome expected as well.  When we are attacked, by Satan, or other threats - do we respond with such certainty that God is in charge and God will protect, heal, etc.

My Prayer: Lord, You DO protect, heal, provide and SO MUCH MORE!  How awesome You are and how desperately I need You because of my brokenness.  Help me grow in my faith, trust and devotion in service to You Lord.

The Best Defense is a Good Offense

Acts 26

As Paul is in prison in Caesarea, he makes his defense in front of Felix, Festus, then Agrippa.  One thing that stands out is out Paul's boldness and clarify in his own defense of his faith.  Take for example a number of his statements:

In verses 4-5 Paul proclaims how he was just as Jewish as those who rise up against him.

 ⁴ “The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. ⁵ They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. 

Then Paul states how his hope in Jesus is the same hope that the Jews have for the messiah:

⁶ And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. ⁷ This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. 

Then Paul asks the question that should be on everyone's minds which is, why is he on trial for proclaiming something that we know God is capable of doing?

Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead? 

Paul of course attributes his own story to Jesus:

²² But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike.

Paul's own defense comes to a close with a bold answer to Agrippa's question whether Paul can convince Agrippa to be a Christian:

 ²⁹ Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” 

Besides the boldness of Paul's defense, several questions for me come to mind:

• Am I so clear in my own mind about the power of Jesus in my life that I can articulate my faith and live my faith as boldly as Paul?
•  Can I defend my faith to attacks as Paul does ?
• Would I be willing to pray for my enemies as Paul does?

Ultimately, can I use any situation, as Paul does here, as an opportunity to glorify God?

My Prayer: Lord, You use all people and all things for Your glory for You are almighty and Your will is both perfect and great.  That You love me and You use me for Your glory is amazing and humbling all at the same time.  I say humbling because I am broken in so many ways - in Paul's words in ways "small and great alike".   I pray that You will forgive me for being small - despite Your call for me to be bold.  Help me overcome my own lack of confidence and instead place my confidence in You that I can be the bold person you desire me to be.  

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.

Galatians 2

As I am presented with new job opportunities, the looming question of course is whether I can understand God's will for my life.

As I have read recently and journaled in this blog, I believe God desires me to focus on Him and through this focus on Him I can allow Him to deliver to me the outcome He desires (vs a desire I have for myself).

Recent posts are consistent with what I have read tonight.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.

The focus, once again must be removed from myself and on my Lord Jesus Christ.  Glory God and He will provide - He will provide the job He wants me to have and He will provide the wisdom to chose this job.

My Prayer: Lord, You provide all and give me no reason to worry.  Yet I worry sometimes and I know this is not Your desire for me so please forgive me.  Thank You for hope regarding my work situation and help me focus on You.

If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 1

I too often try and please people or to seek their approval or acceptance - either via prideful boasting, by not ruffling feathers in times of disagreement or conflict, or via sins of commission or omission that serve to further an effort conform to an accepted behavior or way of life.    This is really present in my life the more I think about it.

One top of mind example is my lack of confidence sometimes to pray a prayer to bless food when I have a meal with non believers, say people at work.  This is just one example and of course there are more.

This is why Paul's statement is so penetrating for me.

If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

My Prayer: Lord, Your work and plans are perfect as I have seen You work in my own life and the transformation You have set in motion in my life is nothing short of miraculous.  It is ONLY through You that such work is done.  Yet I don't thank You enough and I still don't love You enough and I still let You down - please please forgive me and I DO seek to be Your servant and I DO seek to love You with all of my heart.  Please continue to transform my heart and my life.

Focus On Glorifying God Not On Any Specific Other Results or Outcomes

Acts 23

Paul is simply following the Lord's will.  Paul's actions are confirmed and encouraged by the direct words of the Lord himself:

 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”"Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome".

I have often heard other believers say about certain things like evangelism that we should focus on the message and not worry about the outcome as God will take care of the outcome.  For me the broader message is not lost.  God does not say to Paul here (and a summary review reveals few occasions where an outcome is the focus - Matthew 28:19) I have not seen it that often to my knowledge) to focus on bringing X number of believers to Him.  Instead, He simply says to "testify about me [Jesus]".  In the same way, I should not focus too much energy on any specific outcome but instead on glorifying God.  If I focus on glorifying God then pray, be in the Word, seek wise counsel, seek confirming circumstances, and find peace, then I will continue to be led by the Spirit as "Your word [will be] a lamp onto my feet."

My Prayer: Lord, Your ways and Your will are perfect.  That you would use me - someone who is clearly broken in so many ways - is incredible.  How You do it is amazing and I AM truly amazed by Your greatness.  And I desperately need You because of my brokenness.  I think of my anger and how I am often in "fits of rage" - something that clearly disappoints You and something that is not indicative of being led by Spirit but instead by Satan.  Forgive me Lord - PLEASE!   Thank You that I have You because I need You to protect me Lord!  I need you to purify me Lord.  Help me focus solely on You and on glorifying You.  Give me wisdom to glorify You Lord.