Hebrews 13  This final chapter reminds us of some practical.. personal life choices.. that we will demonstrate as we walk in faith.. 

We will "let brotherly love continue".  We will "show hospitality". We will remember those who are in prison for their faith. We will honor our marriages. And, we will be free from the love of money, being content with what we have. 

Our motto will be the words of our Lord, "I will never leave you, nor will I ever forsake you."  Jesus, who is "the same yesterday, today, and forever".. is our helper.. and we do not need to fear what mankind can do to us.

"Consider the outcome of their ( the godly leaders)  way of life and imitate their faith.."  Even as we look back at the heroes of faith listed in chapter 11.. we can look at men and women of faith in our own generation.. who live out their faith before us.  Another version says it this way, "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation."  In other words.. they walk.. the talk!  These are the ones we want to imitate. 

The second part of verse 9 stands out to me.. ".. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace.. "  It is not by "strange teachings".. nor is it by following ceremonial laws.. that our hearts are made stable and established in faith.. it is by God's gracious gift. 

Once again, we are exhorted to look to Jesus.. "Let us, then, go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come."  Like those who went before us.. we also are called to look ahead.. to that which we hope for, but do not yet see.. we fix our eyes on Jesus.  We live our lives here in a way that takes us to be with Him forever. 

"Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."  And amen!

 Hebrews 12;14-29  Having given us many examples of men who walked in faith.. the writer gives us a warning. "Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. "  Holiness.. consecration or sanctification.. a pure heart set apart for God and peace with our fellow men.  These are needed along this way set before us.. if these are missing, then we need to re-examine our path.  Is there a "bitter root" growing up in us?  Is there sin that we need to repent of? 

Are we like Esau.. letting our desires for what we want "right now".. entangle us so that we miss out on the blessing that lies ahead?

We are once more reminded that we have come to a "greater" covenant.. a greater promise.. 

The Israelites were so afraid when they heard God's voice... and the burning fire, darkness, and storm on the mountain.. that they told Moses to go alone. They had no doubt that God is a "consuming fire"!  

Yet, we come.. through Jesus Christ.. even closer to our God than Moses.. "But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirit of  the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. " 

How much more should we tremble before Him?

Oh may we "not refuse him who speaks"! He shook the earth.. and will once again shake it "but also the heavens". All that we know.. this creation.. will pass away one day.. and the only thing that will remain is the Kingdom that cannot be shaken.. the Kingdom of God.  So.. "let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." 

Father in heaven, we come before You in reverence and awe, for You are Mighty and Awesome, Holy and Omnipotent. We come with thankful hearts, for You have spoken to us and shown us mercy. By grace You have brought us to faith in Jesus Christ our Lord. We belong to the Kingdom that will not be shaken!  We have been granted access to Your Holy Presence.. this is too marvelous for words.. far beyond our comprehension.. yet true according to Your Word and Your Spirit. We praise You and bless Your Name as we bow before You in worship and thanksgiving. Amen. 

 Hebrews 12:1-13  "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." 

Just like those who went before us.. all those, whose lives testified of their faith in the One True God.. may we also walk in faith.  Jesus is the "author" of faith.. the chief leader, the captain.. the prince.  He is also the "perfecter" or the finisher.. the completer.. the One who "raised faith to its perfection and so set before us the highest example of faith" ( Thayer Lexicon).   He is the Beginning and the End.. the Alpha and Omega.. of faith.  Of "our faith". 

Jesus.. "for the joy set before him.. 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." (v2-3)

We have the examples.. as listed in chapter 11.. but the greatest example of all.. is our Savior, Jesus Christ.  He resisted sin "to the point of shedding.. blood" .. but we have not. Our hardships cannot compare.. yet..  we need His provision of faith..  When we consider Him.. and all that He went through.. we can be encouraged to keep persevering in the faith that He provides for us. 

What we can count on.. as the writer of Hebrews goes on to say.. is that we.. as the true sons and daughters of God.. will receive discipline from our heavenly Father. .  He will treat us as His own children.. and that sometimes involves hardships.. to cultivate in us what is good.  He will correct us, nurture us, instruct us and train us in His ways.  Sometimes.. often times.. that discipline is unpleasant.. painful.. but "it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who are trained by it." (v11)

Verse 12 "Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.."  Isaiah 35:3-4 makes a similar statement.. " Encourage the exhausted and strengthen the feeble..say to with anxious heart, take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance, the recompense of God will come, but He will save you.." When we are weary.. when we are experiencing the hardships and struggles.. we can receive them.. as God's training program.. just as an athlete might work through strenuous exercises to prepare for a race... working on the weak areas to become stronger..   God will train us ... helping us in our weaknesses.. when we look to Him in faith... knowing that He will produce a harvest of righteousness and peace for us and in us. 

Verse 13 ".. and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather, be healed."  The reference here seems to be related to Proverbs 4:26-27 "Watch the path of your feet, and all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left; turn your foot from evil."  Staying on God's path.. running "with endurance the race that is set before us".. takes faith.  Faith that the witnesses showed us by their lives. Faith that Jesus provides. Faith that God will help us by training us in His ways. Faith that brings the promised reward.. righteousness and peace. 

Father in heaven, have Your way in us. Help us in our weaknesses.. strengthen our feebleness. Fill us with a greater faith and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.  May we run the race You have set before us. May we not stray for the firm foundation, but keep going Your way, to do Your will, for the glory of our Savior, Jesus Christ who lives in us.  It is in His name that we pray. Amen. 

 Hebrews 11:21-40 The writer of Hebrews gave us example after example of people who lived by faith.. their lives are a testimony.. so that we might know that no matter what.. even if we don't receive what we have asked and believed for.. there is a greater reward waiting for us in eternity. 

Verse 21 tells us that Jacob, "by faith... blessed both the sons of Joseph" before he died. Looking back at Genesis 48 where this is described, helps me understand this a bit better.. the blessing had to do with the inheritance that Ephraim and Manasseh would receive when all the people of Israel returned to the promised land.  Jacob believed that both of these grandsons would become great and have many descendants. He was looking towards the future that God had promised. 

Likewise, Joseph..by faith..  believed that the Israelites would return to their land and requested that his bones be taken with them.

Moses was a man of faith.. coming from a family who trusted God.. hiding him for three months and then watching as he was taken in by Pharoah's daughter.  It was by faith, we are told, that Moses refused to live in sinful luxury, but came alongside his people.  "By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible." 

By faith.. the Israelites sacrificed lambs and put the blood around their doors so that their firstborn children would not die. 

It was by faith that they walked through the Red Sea on dry ground.

It was by faith that they walked around the walls of Jericho for seven days. 

It was by faith that Rahab welcomed the spies and was saved. 

The writer of Hebrews tells us that there are so many more examples of men and women who lived by faith in God.. even those who suffered and died for their faith.  "... the world was not worthy of them.. " he writes.. but God "commended" them for their faith.  

These examples are meant to encourage us to also have faith.. for we have even "better" promises than they did.. for we have Jesus, "the pioneer and perfecter of faith." 

Father in heaven, open our eyes that we would see You, like Moses and the others that came before us.  May we have such faith.. that even when we don't get the answers that we want.. we will persevere in faith.. knowing that Your promises are True.  May we trust You with today.. and for tomorrow.. and for eternity... knowing that You will always be with us through the good and the bad times.  Bless us with Your grace and peace today we pray. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Hebrews 11:1-21 "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." 

As we "hold fast" our confession of hope.. not wavering.. but trusting in the fulfillment of all that our God has promised.. we live by faith.  Faith is a "substance".  It a foundation, a support.. a firm trust.  It is proof or evidence of what our eyes cannot yet see.  Faith is a noun...  When we have faith, we are persuaded of the Truth... we rely on it and we live according to what we have believed. 

The writer of Hebrews gives us a "great cloud of witnesses".. those who proved the genuineness of their faith by their lives.. these are meant to be examples.. those who did not see the completion of that which was promised them.. but who were confident in God's promises anyway.  Their lives proved their confidence in God. 

 He begins with Abel where we learn that faith leads to action.. Abel  offered a better sacrifice.. and was commended for his righteousness.  In Enoch we see that faith pleases God.. so much so that Enoch was taken to heaven without dying.  "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." (v6)

Noah's obedience.. building an ark to escape an unseen flood.. reveals his faith in a God who condemns sin and saves the righteous. 

Abraham's faith in God led him to leave his home and family and move to an unknown land, wait for a promised heir, and prepare to sacrifice his own son at the command of God.  His faith was rewarded as Isaac was born and his descendants multiplied just as God promised. 

"All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance".   Their faith extended to a greater promise.. a future city.. " a country of their own"... 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)

There are more witnesses to hear from.. but let us pause and think about these verses.  We need to examine our own faith.. our confidence and assurance in God's promises to us.  We need a faith that offers a "better sacrifice".. that pleases God.. that obeys His instructions.. that is willing to do whatever He tells us. We need a faith that is a foundation of our lives for all of eternity.  

Father, we join our fellow believers, looking for the promised city above.. and living now by faith in You, our God. May You be pleased by us who believe in You and are earnestly seeking You.  May we live in obedience as we walk in faith and trust You in all things.  We do not want You to be ashamed to be called our God.  Strengthen our faith we pray. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Hebrews 10   In chapter 6 the writer told us that we needed to move forward.. to become mature in spiritual matters, and then he took us through a master course in chapters 7-9.  This chapter summarizes those lessons.. 

We learned that the old covenant law was just a shadow of the "good things".. the reality that Christ brought to us. 

We learned that the old sacrifices and offerings were insufficient to truly cleanse us, but that the -once for all- sacrifice of Christ Himself completely cleanses us. 

We learned that the former priests had to repeat their religious duties over and over again.. but that Christ "offered for all time one sacrifice for sins.." 

We learned that the old covenant is obsolete.. and the new covenant is so much greater... as God changes our minds and hearts.. not just our outside actions. 

We learned that through the blood that Christ Jesus shed on the cross.. we are completely forgiven!

It is because of this that 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." (v19)

We can draw near to God. We can have "full assurance" through faith. 

We can have unswerving hope.... because we know He is faithful. 

We can "spur one another on toward love and good deeds"... we can meet together to encourage one another.. we can joyfully await the return of our Lord.  

What we need to be careful NOT to do.. is to turn away from the truth.  We must persevere in faith and hope and love.. for Jesus is coming again!  ".. He who is coming will come and will not delay." 

Father, You are our Helper and our Strength.. enable us to hold on and not shrink back. May our faith grow, may our love abound, and may our hope be a firm foundation as we have confidence in our Great High Priest who shed His blood for us.  Thank You for this great salvation.. and for the promise of a future inheritance that will be for eternity! Keep us near to Your heart we pray, in Jesus' name. amen. 

 Hebrews 9  The first 10 verses of this chapter remind us of the "earthly tabernacle".. which is a "shadow" of the True tabernacle above.  There was the Holy Place.. with its lampstand and table. Then there was the "most Holy Place" behind the veil.. where the Ark of the covenant stood, containing the jar of manna, Aaron'r rod that budded, and the stone tablets.  It was overshadowed by the cherubim.  We are reminded that the priests entered the first room every day, to serve as they were required. But, the High Priest was the only one to enter the second room.. and then only once a year and "never without blood". 

Blood was necessary.. God's requirement for the forgiveness of sins. Verse 13 "The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean."  Moses, after he had "proclaimed every command of the law to all the people, .. took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people.. "  This, he said, ".. is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep."  Everything involving the worship of the Lord, was sprinkled.. the tabernacle, all its furniture, all the instruments for use in the tabernacle.. everything was sanctified.. set apart as holy to the Lord.  "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." (v22) 

If such careful and thorough instructions were necessary for the first covenant.. the "shadow" of what was to come.. how much more is the new covenant!

"But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not part of this creation."  Christ entered.. not with the blood of animals.. but "by his own blood thus obtaining eternal redemption."  "How much more" the writer says, does His blood cleanse!  Not just the outward man.. but He cleanses "our consciences from acts that lead to death, sto that we may serve the living God." 

The sacrifice of Christ's blood brings eternal redemption. "a ransom to set [us] free from the sins committed under the first covenant."  He entered "heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence."  Christ's sacrifice was "once for all.. to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself."  He will not suffer again.. but he will come again.. "not to bear sin but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him." 

Our Father in heaven, how we thank You for this great Savior, our Great High Priest who even now makes intercession for us at Your right hand.  We give our praise to the Lamb who was slain and to You, our God and Father who gave us such a gift of salvation through His death on a cross.  May we walk in the Light of this Truth.. the amazing work of Jesus Christ who has obtained our redemption by offering Himself for our sins.  How can we thank You enough? We give You all the praise and honor and glory that we can offer.. and it is not enough.. "O for a thousand tongues to sing" of our great Redeemer! Lord, we are waiting for that day.. when Christ will come again! May we all be ready. Amen!

 Hebrews 8  As chapter 7 explained that there is now a new order.. an eternal High Priest, Jesus Christ.. this chapter explains that there is also a new covenant.. a greater covenant than the old one which is now made "obsolete". 

Jesus, our Great High Priest does not serve in a temple made by human hands.. but He has "taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched, not man." 

The old priesthood offered "gifts according to the Law." But, Jesus offered a greater gift and "obtained a more excellent ministry by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises." 

The old covenant could not make anyone "faultless".  The people failed to keep that covenant. But God chose to make a "new covenant"..  "I will put My laws into their minds and I will write them upon their hearts and I will be their God and they shall be My people."  This covenant begins with a gift.. God will bestow upon His people those things that He desires into our minds.. our understanding.. that we might think rightly.  He chooses to inscribe our hearts.. our  inner beings with His Word and His will.  He chooses to make Himself known to each of us.. individually.  He chooses to forgive us from our sins.  He chooses to make us "faultless"...by this new covenant enacted by Jesus Christ. 

What grace! What wonder! Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Father in heaven, we bless Your Name and give Your thanks for this great salvation through Jesus Christ our Great High Priest. Fill our minds with Your Truth.. write Your words on our hearts.. help us to walk in faith and in the hope of this great grace that You have poured out on us.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

 Hebrews 7  This chapter helps us to understand the High Priesthood of Jesus Christ.  The writer begins by reminding us who Melchizedek was.. "king of Salem, priest of the Most High God.. "  He is a unique character who we first learn of in Genesis when Abraham gives him a tenth of the spoils that he collected from his battle against the kings who fought against him. 

In Genesis we are told very little about this king who was "priest of the Most High God", but the writer of Hebrews tells us a little more.. " without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he abides a priest perpetually."  We know that Abraham recognized and honored Melchizedek and gave him a tenth of the spoils. We also know that Melchizedek blessed Abraham.. therefore we understand that Melchizedek was "greater" and Abraham was "lesser".  We also learn that all who came after Abraham.. in particular the tribe of Levi who were set aside for the priesthood.. would also be of a lower order than the order of Melchizedek. 

It is in Psalm 110 that we hear of Melchizedek again.. as David writes an inspired psalm about the Messiah.. it is in this Psalm that God reveals that He has "sworn and will not change His mind.." that the Messiah is  "a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek .. "  The writer of Hebrews tells us that there has been a change in the "priesthood".  The Levitical priesthood could not bring about the "perfection" that God requires.. so God brought forth a new Priesthood.. "not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life." 

The former Law and priesthood were weak and useless to bring "perfection" or completion.. but the new Priesthood brought a "better hope, through which we draw near to God." 

Jesus, our Great High Priest, is forever the "guarantee of a better covenant".. for He lives forever.. He is our "permanent" High Priest. He saves forever! He makes intercession for all who will "draw near to God through Him."  He is "holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens."  He never needs to offer sacrifices for Himself, for He never sinned.. but He did offer Himself up for our sins.. "once for all.."  that we might be saved. 

"For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever." 

Our Father in heaven, we draw near to You, through Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest, who brings us to completion by His offering of Himself, once and for all.  We are thankful for such a wonderful Savior and King.. for His intercessions for us.. for His great love shown to us.. and for His power poured out on us by His Spirit.  Help us to understand more of this great truth and to draw even nearer to You.. every day.. and forever. Amen. 

 Hebrews 6  The author of Hebrews encourages.. and maybe even commands his readers to move on toward "maturity".. to solid food that goes beyond the basics of Christian doctrines, which they should already know quite well.. namely the doctrines of repentance, faith, baptism, etc. 

In verses 4-6 he teaches a vital lesson about salvation.  "... for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age.. "  

This outlines the sequence and fulness of true salvation..  It begins with God..  He is the One who, by His grace, gives us Light.. He offers this "heavenly gift".  We choose to either receive it or reject it.  If we truly receive it.. then we will share in the Holy Spirit.. for He makes us a partaker of His Spirit who comes to live in us.  It is by the indwelling Spirit that we "taste" the "goodness of the word of God."  And it is by the Spirit that we experience the Power of God in our lives.. sanctifying power.. transforming power.. supernatural power that conforms us to the image of our Savior. 

The writer firmly states the it is "impossible"  for someone who has truly experienced this new birth.. being made a new creation in Christ.. to then fall away and then try to return to another new birth.  He is not saying that we won't sin or if we sin we can't repent.. that is contrary to all Scripture.  He is saying that there is only ONE salvation which was provided by Jesus Christ when He died on the cross.. Once for all!

Christ will not be crucified again. His sacrifice is sufficient for all sins of all men and women if we truly believe and receive Him with sincere hearts.  

Verses 7-8 Compares ground that receives the rain and grows useful fruit.. to ground that is worthless and "yields" only "thorns and thistles" that will be burned up.  It is a similar comparison that we have read many times in the Scriptures.  Jesus taught this truth in John 15 where He said "I am the true vine and My Father is the vinedresser."  When we abide in Him.. we can bear fruit.  "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." ( John 15:6)

The maturing Christian needs to understand these things.. that their salvation is secure in Christ... but it goes beyond a one-time confession.. it is a lifetime abiding in Christ.. in His Word.. and in His Spirit. Fruit is produced in a life that is fully committed to constantly abiding in our Lord. 

"We desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." (v11-12) This is a great prayer!  Like Abraham who trusted in the promise of God.. and who waited for that promise to be fulfilled... we also are "heirs of the promise".. we have an "anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one that enters within the veil.."  The unchangeable God, who cannot lie.. has promised us a future inheritance.. "beyond the veil".. in His Holy Presence.. forever..

Christ, our Great High Priest has gone before us "as a forerunner" .. opening the way!  What a great and marvelous Hope we have in Him.  Praise His holy Name!

Father, thank You for the Living Hope that we have in Christ our Redeemer and King. He is our Great High Priest who has made a way for us to be with You forever. Lead us on.. lead us deeper into the fulness of Your salvation.. for Your purposes which You have confirmed by Your own oath.  You are a mighty and amazing God who has given us this gracious gift.  We desire to walk in Your Light and do Your will.. and ask for Your Spirit to fill us to the full today so that we might abide in Christ and bear much fruit to Your glory. Amen. 

 Hebrews 5  In the first 4 verses the writer outlines the role of a "high priest": 

He is "taken" or selected from among the people.. appointed by God, to represent them in spiritual matters..."in things pertaining to God". (v1)

He is tasked with the responsibility to offer " both gifts and sacrifices for sins." (v1b)

He is called to "deal gently with the ignorant and misguided"... to  have compassion on those who do not know or understand and to those who have gone astray or been deceived. (v2)

The high priest is also "subject to weakness" and can relate to those he ministers to... and must also offer sacrifices for his own sins "as for the people." (v3)

The high priest cannot make himself a high priest. He does not take this honor upon himself. He "receives it".  He is called by God.. just as Aaron was. (v4)

In verses 5-10 we see how the High Priestly role that Jesus was given is similar but different than the former description:

Jesus did not take upon Himself the honor or becoming the High Priest.. but He was called by the Father to that role.  "Thou art My Son.. " The Father said to Him.. and "Thou art a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."  Jesus was called to a greater order.. to an eternal order of priesthood. There is a distinction made here that we need to see. 

This High Priest did what the human high priest could not... He suffered and died.  He became the "source of eternal salvation."  We are told that Jesus "offered up both prayers and supplications".. that He "learned obedience from the things He suffered, "  and that He was "made perfect".  Jesus fully submitted to the Father's will.. as we read in the account of His prayers in Gethsemane.  In His perfect obedience He accomplished and completed the Father's will.   It was in this act that He became the source of eternal life to all who "obey Him."  This Priesthood is far superior to every and any  human position!

One last thing that the writer tells us in this chapter.. as he warns his readers to move beyond the elementary principles of faith.. He says, " .. solid food is for the mature who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil."  We must train our minds.. to perceive, to understand, and to judge between what is "good" - beautiful, excellent, pure, noble, and praiseworthy;  and that which is "evil" - that which is wicked, troublesome, destructive, harmful, and depraved. 

How do we do that?  We must "draw near, with confidence,  to the throne of grace.. " and we must abide in the Word of God which is "living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword.. "  We must "press on to maturity".. as we will read in chapter 6.

Father in heaven, once again we come before You, in awe of Jesus Christ, the Beloved Son, our Great High Priest.. our Eternal Savior and King.  All glory and honor and power to the Name that is above all names.. Jesus Christ the Lord.  We ask that You help us to press on.. to draw near.. to receive all that You have given us in the Word and to gain understanding of Your ways and will. Thank You for such a great High Priest who has compassion on us, who provided eternal salvation for us, and who is even now drawing us close to You.  It is in His name that we pray, amen. 

 Hebrews 4 The Israelites that had "hardened" their hearts.. failing to trust in God.. disobedient, obstinate and rebellious.. would not "enter" into God's "rest".  The writer wants us to understand what that rest is.. 

In verse 1 he warns us that we do not want to "come short" of that promised rest. 

In verse 2 he tells us that the Word is vital to entering that rest.. if "united by faith.. " 

In verse 3 he tells us that "we who have believed enter that rest.." 

In verse 4 he tells us that our rest is relative to the rest that God Himself entered on the 7th day. 

In verse 5 he reminds us once again that the unbelievers "shall not enter [His] rest."

In verse 6 he tells us that it is still possible to enter that rest.. if we are not disobedient like they were in the wilderness.

In verse 7 he tells us that there is a "certain day.. Today" that we are each given to "not harden [our] hearts".. but to "hear His voice"... so that we can enter His rest.

In verse 8 he tells us that Joshua did not give the people rest.. even though he led them into the promised land... but that there is "another day after that." 

In verse 9 he tells us that "there remains therefore a Sabbath of rest for the people of God."

In verse 10 he tells us that Jesus entered that rest himself .. resting from His works.. 

And in verse 11 he exhorts us to "be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall through following the same example of disobedience." 

That is a lot of emphasis on "rest".   Followed by this, " For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." 

The writer goes on to tell us that God sees "all things".. He sees into our souls and knows our hearts.  Everything is "open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do."  We must give an account before Him. We cannot hide our hardened hearts. We cannot pretend to be believers.  We must have Jesus.. our great High Priest.. or we will not enter into the eternal, glorious Kingdom of God's rest. 

Oh how marvelous is our High Priest!  He has "ascended into heaven." .  He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses.  He was tempted as we are.. yet He did not sin.  We must hold on "Firmly to the faith we profess."  And as we hold fast to Him we can "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help in time of need." 

Father, thank You for such a High Priest as this.. Jesus, our Lord.  Help us to hold fast.. to not harden our hearts but to fully believe and trust in Him who has ascended to Your right Hand.  We yield to Your Spirit and draw near to Your throne of grace. We look forward to that day when we will be forever with You in that Holy Rest. Amen. 

Hebrews 3  Therefore... "fix your thoughts on Jesus.."  -  "consider Him".. the writer urges us.. He who is the "Apostle and High Priest of our confession" .. the One we profess to follow...   Jesus "our apostle" our "sent one".. and our High Priest... the priest above all other priests.. the only One to enter the true holy of holies.. the only One to offer the complete atonement offering.. Himself.  

Consider Him.. fix Your eyes on Him. 

Jesus was "faithful to Him who appointed Him."  He is found "worthy of greater honor than Moses.."  He is the "faithful Son over God's house".   

And.. we "are his house if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory." 

 The writer encourages us to "hold fast".. and to "take care"..  and to "encourage one another day after day.."  because we are His.  We must not let our hearts be hardened.. we must not allow our hearts to become "unbelieving", like the Israelites did in the wilderness. 

Those who were with Moses.. those who went out of Egypt by the great power of God.. were the same ones who hardened their hearts.. they "tried" the Lord and tested Him. They saw Him work but failed to follow His ways.  Because of this they would not enter the promised land.  This is an example that we need to learn from.. "lest any of [us] be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." 

Jesus, You are worthy of great honor... You are the faithful Son over God's house. -us. You are the heir of all things.. of all the creation which came into being by You and for You.  We will hold fast to You. We will stand firmly in our confession as we profess You as Lord and King forever.  We will encourage one another to yield our hearts to You and not be hardened by the lies of this world.  We confess our need of Your Spirit to lead us in Your ways, to serve You faithfully all of our days.  Come and move in us today we pray.. be our right hand and strengthen us for whatever this day holds. In the Name that is above all names we pray. Amen. 

 Hebrews 2 "For this reason.."  Because of Who Jesus is.. the Begotten Son.. the Eternal King.. the Appointed Heir.. "we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard.. " 

All that Jesus Is.. all that He did.. all that He will do.. was and is for the Father's purposes..  Everything has been made "subject" .. subordinate.. under obedience.. to Jesus...... "He left nothing that is not subject to Him." (v8)  We don't see it all clearly now.. but we can know by faith that this is True. 

According to the Father's plan, Jesus was "made for a little while lower that the angels.."  There was a greater purpose for His suffering as a man of flesh and bones.  The writer tells us that  He was "crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone." (v9)

Because He suffered, Jesus would bring "many sons and daughters to glory".  He now calls us His brothers and sisters.. 

He "shared in [our] humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death - that is, the devil - and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." 

Jesus was made fully human.. so that He could be "a merciful and faithful high priest.. "  He made atonement for us.  He faced temptations like us.

Our Savior and King.. through and for  Whom all of creation came into existence ... became flesh and bones.  He suffered. He died. He broke the power of death. He resisted temptation.  He did it all, so that we might be His family.. forever.   This same Jesus is our High priest.. merciful and faithful.  He intercedes for us.  He ministers to us. He completes in us what we cannot.  He paid the wages of our sins.. so that we might share in His glory.  Let us truly take heed.. pay closer attention.. don't let this Truth "slip away" in the distractions of this world. 

Father, we exult in Your holy Name and in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior forever!  What a Wonderful Savior is Jesus our Lord! He is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters.  This is amazing grace and we give You thanks.  Hallelujah, what a Savior! Do all You desire in us today we pray.. in the Powerful Name of Jesus. Amen. 

 Hebrews 1:5-14  The writer continues to try to describe Jesus.. comparing Him to the angels who are His ministers. Using a variety of scriptures he proclaims the deity of Christ and His superiority to all of His creations... He exalts Christ and causes us to lift our eyes up and view the Majesty and Glory of the One who came to make "purification of sins."  

Verse 5 is a quote from Psalm 2:7  "Thou art My Son, Today I have begotten Thee.."  No angels were "begotten".. they are created beings.. created by/through Jesus.. for Him. 

Also in verse 5 we read, "I will be a Father to Him and He shall be a Son to me.."  which is a quote from II Samuel 7:14.. part of God's covenant with David.. a promise that a descendant of David will reign forever in the kingdom that He will establish. 

In verse 6 he says, "And let all the angels of God worship Him.." which is a reference to Psalm 97:7.  God commands all of His creation to worship Jesus Christ.. including every supernatural being.. angels and demons included. 

The writer also shows us that the throne of Christ is forever established, that He loves righteousness, that He has been anointed by God, and that the future is in His hands.  There is a day coming when the present creation will be rolled up, like an old garment.  Everything will change  EXCEPT Jesus.. "But Thou art the same, and Thy years will not come to an end." (v12)  This quote comes from Psalm 102:12. 

God ordained Jesus to sit at His right Hand.. "Until I make Thine enemies a footstool for Thy feet.."  This is another quote from the Psalms.. Chapter 110, a Messianic prophecy from the pen of David. 

Father we do lift our eyes up to You, and proclaim "Hallelujah! What a Savior!"  You have provided for us the perfect Lamb, the Beloved Son, the Eternal King,...our Wonderful Savior.  All power is in Your Hands and we are upheld by those same Hands.. As David wrote, " How precious also are Thy thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!" ( Psalm 139:17)  Let the Name of the Lord be praised! We worship You, Jesus, our Lord and King.. we come and adore You.. we bow, now, before You.  What a Mighty God we serve! Amen. 

 Hebrews 1:1-4  " In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets.... but in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son... "  

The writer begins this powerful message with a description of the Son.. indeed, this whole book expounds on the greatness of Jesus Christ.. greater than angels; greater than the Law; greater than any sacrifice; greater than the greatest priest or prophet.. for He alone is Christ forever. 

This first chapter tells us that Jesus is the "appointed heir of all things".  Everything! Every manner, every mode, every day, everyone. God the Father, set forth.. established.. ordained His Son as the heir of "all things." 

Jesus also is the maker of the world.. the universe.. everything that was made.. as John wrote, "All things came into being by Him and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being." (John 1:3)  It is "though" or "by" Jesus, the Beloved Son, that the universe came into existence.  The Eternal Son was the channel through Whom God spoke the world into existence.  He is the reason for and the means of creation. 

Jesus is the "radiance of God's glory".  He perfectly reflects the majesty of God.. Thayer's lexicon tells us. He is the "brightness".. the shining forth...God's perfect Light.

Jesus is the "exact representation of His nature" or "being".  God the Father "engraved" His image onto His Son. Jesus is the exact, precise, engraving.. of His Father. 

Jesus "upholds (or sustains) all things by the word of His power."  If all the universe is sustained by the word of Jesus.. how much power is in every Word that He has spoken?

Jesus "provided purification for sins"...  He did what no other could do.. He made or provided "purification".  He provided a cleansing that only He could provide.  He washed our sins away!

Jesus "sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high..." He is in the place of honor and authority.. exalted and esteemed.  

Jesus is "superior to the angels" and His name is more excellent than any other. 

And this is just the introduction!  How can we not worship Him?  How can we not adore Him?

Father, we are in awe of Your Son whom You appointed as the heir of all creation, Whom You sent to speak to us.. to shine Your light on us.. to save us by providing purification from our sin.  We have come to Jesus, the One who is the author and the finisher of our faith.. and we will trust Him with our whole selves.. Let the Word of Christ dwell in our hearts and minds.. that the power of His Word will forever uphold us in all righteousness and truth... to the glory of His excellent Name. Amen. 

 Habakkuk is a short book of 3 chapters that begins with the prophet questioning God about the injustice that he has observed in his own people.  "How long, O Lord, will I call for help.. ."  Habakkuk is weary of the violence and wickedness that surrounds him.. so much violence.. so much strife... so much perverted justice!  Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

God's answer to the prophet is so unexpected... His solution to the injustice of Judah was to send the Chaldeans.. a "fierce and impetuous people who march throughout the earth... "  doing more violence! 

Habakkuk responded with another question... " Art Thou not from everlasting, O Lord, my God, my Holy One?"

The Chaldeans would be held guilty, the Lord vows.. for their "strength is their god" (v11).. And strength is fleeting. In verse 16 He says, " Therefore, they offer a sacrifice to their net, and burn incense to their fishing net; because their catch is large and their food is plentiful.. " They worship their abundance.. their income.. and that also is fleeting.  These two idols are alive and well in the world today, aren't they?  What country does not rely on its strength and on its wealth? We know that ours does... 

Habakkuk chose to wait and watch to see what the Lord would do.  The Lord approves this.. "Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay.. "  It is the "righteous" who live "by faith". We are called to wait through the troubles.. through the threats.. through the years.. in faith, for we know that a time is coming when "the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." (v11)  This is the lesson that Habakkuk learned.  "But the Lord is in His holy temple, Let all the earth be silent before Him." (v20)

Chapter 3 is a recorded prayer/psalm which exults the Lord.. " His splendor covers the heavens and the earth is full of His praise; His radiance is like the sunlight; He has rays flashing from His hand, and there is the hiding of His power." (v3-4)  The ways of God are "everlasting".. His power is unlimited..  His salvation is certain.. Habakkuk declared.  And because of this he concludes, " I must wait quietly for the day of distress.. " He determines to live by faith:

"Though the fig tree should not blossom, and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail, and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold, and there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds feet, and makes me walk on my high places." 

Father, You are our help and our salvation.. You are the Lord who is in Your holy Temple and we become silent before You.  We worship You alone. We know that the things of this world are temporary.. fleeting.. and we cannot stand firm on them.  We put our trust in You alone. You are the everlasting God and we will wait on You.. no matter what befalls us.  Thank You for being our faithful and gracious God! We exult You and give You all our praise.  Thank You for the Savior who has come and will come again.. we wait for Him.. oh what splendor and wonder awaits us .. when we see Him in His glory.  Come Spirit of God and fill us with renewed faith and hope as we wait before our God. Amen. 

 Nahum 2-3 These chapters describe the destruction of Nineveh as God brings judgement upon them for the evil that they have done to Israel and to many other  nations. "Behold I am against you, declares the Lord of hosts." (3:5) 

There is no turning back.. there is no escape.. there is no army that can stand against the judgement of God.  There were no leaders that could help the people. There was nothing that they could do.. even though Nahum warns them to prepare.. Their evil ways would catch up to them. 

This is the message that God sends to every nation.. unless we humble ourselves and pray..unless we repent from evil ways.. unless we return to the One who rules heaven and earth.. there is a judgment that is coming.  It is a terrible thing for God to say to us.. "Behold,  I am against you..." 

Once again we turn back to the good news.. "The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him.." ( 1:7)  We hold on to the Words that God used to describe Himself, "The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means leave the guilty unpunished." (1:3)  God will not forsake us who call on Him for help.  He will not let the evil go unpunished. We serve a God who sees everything and everyone.  

As we look upon the world that we live in today... we wonder how evil people continue to live.. let alone prosper.. but we must remember that God is just and He will accomplish His will even through those who do not trust in Him.  Let us hold on to Him.. our stronghold and take refuge in Him.. no matter what evil comes our way.. I know that is easier to say than to do.. may God help us to trust His Word.

Father in heaven, You are our great God and we praise You. We extol Your holy Name. We praise You and tell of Your greatness. We praise You for saving us, for sending Your Beloved Son, to be our Savior and our King. We thank You for the indescribable gift of His sacrifice for our sins.  Thank You for helping us to see the glory of Your salvation.. the greatness of love.. poured out on a cross.... We cannot fathom the depths of Your love for us.. but we ask that You might help us to know You more.. to know the height and depth, the length and the width of Your great love. Fill us with Your Spirit once again we pray.. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

 Nahum 1 This passage proclaims two distinct views of the character of God.. one reveals His greatness and power against those who are His enemies; and the other shows His great love and provision for those who trust in Him.  As we walk through our lives.. we make choices.. and the choices we make determine which side of God we will experience. 

Nahum spoke this oracle about Nineveh which had once again become the enemy of God's people.. which made them the enemy of God.  "A jealous and avenging God is the Lord; The Lord is avenging and wrathful. The Lord takes vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies." ( v2) 

Yet..  " The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means leave the guilty unpunished." (v3a) 

Nahum extols the Lord's greatness.. 

He controls the "whirlwind and storm". The "clouds are the dust beneath His feet."  He can rebuke the sea and dry up the rivers; He can make mountains quake and hills dissolve. There is nothing that the Lord cannot do.  It is this God who will take vengeance against the enemy.  No one can stand against Him. To choose to live in unbelief and hatred is to choose God as your enemy. 

The good news is this:  "The Lord is good".  He is a stronghold to those who will choose to trust in Him. "He knows those who take refuge in Him." He will restore those who repent and turn back to Him. 

"Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace!" (v15)

Judah was assured that God saw what was happening to them.  God would stop Assyria. But, He would also chastise His errant people. He still desired them to come back to Him. 

Father in heaven, thank You for being faithful to help those who will call on You and take refuge in You.  May we choose to live in truth and obedience.. to live in faith in our good, good Father!  We give You praise for You are... the Lord who is slow to anger and great in power!  You are faithful even when we are not.  You bring chastisement upon us when we go astray.. so that we will repent and turn back to You. You forgive us for our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  You are worthy of all our praise and worship. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised! Amen. 

 Philemon 1   This letter is so unusual.. it is a personal letter to one family.. an appeal on behalf of one man, a runaway slave, Onesimus.  The letter is addressed to Philemon, Apphia, and Archippus.  The first thing that I notice is the terms of endearment... 

Philemon is addressed as "our dear friend and fellow worker". 

Apphia is addressed as our "beloved" or "sister" ( depending on which translation we use)

Archippus is addressed as a "fellow soldier". 

Their home is the meeting place of the church, which is known by Paul.  He has heard about their love and faith.  He has "much joy and comfort" in their acts of love towards other believers who have been helped by them. Paul has "confidence" in their faithfulness.. so he appeals to them on the behalf of Onesimus.

Onesimus is also dearly loved by Paul.. He calls him "my child, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment."  He considers Onesimus "my very heart".  This man has had a changed life..  He was once "useless", Paul says, but now is "useful".  Paul tells of how Onesimus has ministered to him.. and  has become a "beloved brother".  Paul is willing to pay for any debt the Onesimus owes to Philemon.  He appeals to Philemon's love and faith to receive Onesimus back as a beloved brother and not as a useless slave. 

Paul makes one final appeal, "Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ." (v20) 

Relationships are so valuable to Paul.. and this book helps to show us that it extends to even the "least of these".. a runaway slave.. as well as to one who was a slave-owner.   Do we value others as much? Are we ready to pay the debts of others when they can't? Are we willing to appeal to our friends to do what is "right" when they really have the legal standing to do otherwise?  How can we show love to someone in trouble today? 

Lord, help us to love better.. to go further.. to give more in our relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ. May we be "useful" in serving others. Fill us Holy Spirit for whatever You have for us today.. that we might refresh others in Christ.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

 Titus 3  Verse 3 describes the natural state of every single person.. " For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another."   We all begin in a state of "total depravity".. as Romans 3 reminds us " There is none righteous, not even one." ( v10)  Understanding and acknowledging this truth about ourselves is necessary.. because until we do, we do not understand the need to be saved and the extent of the salvation that God has granted us in Christ Jesus. 

Verse 4-7"But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." 

When we know this Truth, and receive the salvation that Jesus alone provides for all who will believe in Him ... our lives become radically changed.. we are new creations.. "careful to engage in good deeds.. " Living fruitful lives to the glory of our Savior as we walk according to His Spirit who dwells in us. 

Father, may Your Spirit enlighten our understanding of Your Word and change our lives to be more like Jesus our Savior.. May we live in obedience.. ready for every good deed.. in kindness, gentleness, and genuine love. Cleanse us from all unrighteousness and renew us by Your glory.. day by day. In Christ's name we ask this. Amen. 

 Titus 2  Paul urges Titus to teach "sound doctrine".. the Truth.. the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is only this kind of teaching that will "purify.. a people for His own possession"... It is the only teaching that changes lives. It is only as we come to know the One who "gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from every lawless deed.. " 

Sound doctrine.. teaching that is free of error; uncorrupted; wholesome;  includes:

Teaching older men to be "temperate, dignified, sensible,  sound in faith, in love, in perseverance." 

It is teaching older women to be "reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good." 

It is teaching the younger women to be "sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being submissive to their own husbands.. " 

It is teaching young men to be sensible.. self-controlled.. wise. 

Sound doctrine is influential in behavior.. causing those who hold on to the Truth to be above reproach.. to do good deeds.. to work in "good faith".. It is in following this kind of teaching that we are purified.. made holy... righteous.. and godly.. a "people for His own possession". 

Father in heaven, keep us pure by Your Word and by Your Spirit that we might be more like Jesus. Thank You for the grace that You have shown us.. the redemption that You have provided for us.. and the Spirit that You have given us that we might be Your own possession. Amen. 

 Titus 1 

Paul is writing to Titus in Crete, to encourage him and instruct him in the work he was appointed to do.. putting in order the leadership of the churches there.  Paul says in verse 1 that he is a "servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness - in the hope of eternal life.. " (NIV)  This is the goal of every pastor and teacher.. or at least it should be.. to "further the faith" of those they minister to.. and to increase the "knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness.."   This is God's appointment for every spiritual leader.. it is the "command of God our Savior". (v2-3) 

God entrusted Paul to do this.. and Paul dedicated the rest of his life to this purpose.  Paul entrusted Titus in this work of furthering faith and knowledge of the truth.. and he gave Titus the task of appointing the right men to lead in this same way in the churches in Crete.   Men who were "blameless, faithful... not over-bearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined..."  ( v6-9)  He must be someone trustworthy to preach the truth. 

The problem in Crete was the same problem everywhere... people who preached falsehoods.. people who preached for the purpose of making money.. people who didn't care how they corrupted others. 

Verse 16 " They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him."  Here is a powerful test of every leader and teacher that we need to use.. to evaluate whether or not we should listen to their teaching:    Do their actions deny God?  Are their deeds in line with the truth? Are they helping to further the faith of those they teach.. or are they just seeking money?  Do they teach the truth that leads to godliness?  Are they giving their listeners what they need to know so that they have "hope in eternal life"?

Father in heaven,  we pray for many more godly leaders in our world today...  who will teach the truth and live it out. We are thankful for those who have stepped up, like Paul, committing their lives to teaching the truth, to furthering our faith, and increasing our knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord.  May we live in accordance with Your Word, that our lives .. our actions.. will also reflect You.. to the glory of Your Name. Amen.