Psalm 8 " O Lord ( Yahweh) our Lord ( Adoni), How majestic is Your Name in all the earth."
The self-existent One who reveals Himself, our Sovereign ruler, our Master - Your name is majestic - large, powerful, excellent, famous, gallant, glorious, noble, worthy, mighty!
You have "displayed Thy splendor above the heavens".
You have "established strength " from the mouths of children.
Lord, we consider all of Your creation and wonder at the vastness of it all... the moon and the stars that You have placed in the heavens, securely and purposely... and it makes us wonder why You even think of us.
Yet, You sent Your Son, making Him like us, and have crowned Him with "glory and majesty".
He rules "over the works of Your hands."
You have put "all things under his feet".
Lord God, our Father, Your name is majestic! There is no other name that is as powerful, or noble. There is no other name that is excellent or worthy . Help us to keep our eyes on You. To always consider the works of Your hands and the grace of You love. You have chosen to save us. You have chosen to redeem us and to adopt us, to make us holy as You are holy. We are in awe of that truth!
Keep us in that wonder and awe, even as we walk in this weary land. We pray this is the majestic Name of Jesus our Lord, amen.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Friday, June 24, 2016
Hebrews 13 instructs believers in specific ways that our lives testify of our faith;
The love we have for one another is the most important testimony of our faith.
Showing hospitality.
Remembering those imprisoned for their faith.. also those ill-treated.
Honoring the institution of marriage is vital.
Being free from the love of money and being content with what we have.
Confidence in the fact that God will never forsake us, that He is our Helper and we do not need to fear man.
We are to ".... continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name."
We are to firmly believe that Jesus is "the same yesterday and today,yes and forever."
We are to stay away from false teachings and fully live in dependence upon the grace of our Lord Jesus. Trusting not in the blood of animals or the old covenant, but in Jesus alone.
We are to do good and share with others.
We are to obey and submit to our leaders, those responsible for keeping "watch over our souls".
" Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. amen. "
Amen!
The love we have for one another is the most important testimony of our faith.
Showing hospitality.
Remembering those imprisoned for their faith.. also those ill-treated.
Honoring the institution of marriage is vital.
Being free from the love of money and being content with what we have.
Confidence in the fact that God will never forsake us, that He is our Helper and we do not need to fear man.
We are to ".... continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name."
We are to firmly believe that Jesus is "the same yesterday and today,yes and forever."
We are to stay away from false teachings and fully live in dependence upon the grace of our Lord Jesus. Trusting not in the blood of animals or the old covenant, but in Jesus alone.
We are to do good and share with others.
We are to obey and submit to our leaders, those responsible for keeping "watch over our souls".
" Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. amen. "
Amen!
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Hebrews 12:18-29 Our position with God, as His children who live by faith and who follow the examples that came before us, is so much greater than before.
The Jewish religion centered around the Law that was established at Mount Sinai. The people came out of Egypt and met God at that mountain. A mountain that they were warned not to even touch!
There was fire.
There was darkness.
There was a whirlwind.
There was a trumpet blast.
There was the thundering voice of God that made them tremble. In fact we are told that the whole mountain "quaked violently" as "the Lord came down on Mount Sinai".
The New Covenant, in contrast is centered in Mount Zion, the "city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem."
Where there are "myriads of angels".
Where the "general assembly and church of the first born who are enrolled in heaven" abide.
Where "God, the Judge of all" reigns.
Where the "spirits of righteous men made perfect" dwell.
And, where "Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant... and sprinkled blood... better than the blood of Abel." ministers.
There was a warning spoken to the people at Mount Sinai, a warning from God's own voice that shook the earth. But a second warning has been given. Haggai 2:6 "For thus says the Lord of hosts, Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land. And I will shake all the nations ; and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts."
Hebrews 12:27-29 tells us that all things that have been created will be shaken and that only God's Kingdom, which cannot be shaken, will remain. "Therefore... let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God and acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire."
Those who were disobedient and failed to heed the first warning did not escape God's judgement. And even more so, those of us who have become the children of God, must heed the second warning to "not refuse Him who is speaking". We must not turn away from Him in any way.
Father in heaven, Your Name is holy! You are our Great and Mighty God, a consuming fire. Your ways are perfect and Your will is altogether wonderful. May it be done on earth as it is in heaven.
We long for the day when Your Kingdom comes in all fulness, when this present corrupt earth is swept away and a new heaven and earth will be established. Yet Father, I pray for those who are still walking in darkness and rebellion. Please change their hearts and open their eyes. May they hear Your voice and not harden their hearts I ask You in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
The Jewish religion centered around the Law that was established at Mount Sinai. The people came out of Egypt and met God at that mountain. A mountain that they were warned not to even touch!
There was fire.
There was darkness.
There was a whirlwind.
There was a trumpet blast.
There was the thundering voice of God that made them tremble. In fact we are told that the whole mountain "quaked violently" as "the Lord came down on Mount Sinai".
The New Covenant, in contrast is centered in Mount Zion, the "city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem."
Where there are "myriads of angels".
Where the "general assembly and church of the first born who are enrolled in heaven" abide.
Where "God, the Judge of all" reigns.
Where the "spirits of righteous men made perfect" dwell.
And, where "Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant... and sprinkled blood... better than the blood of Abel." ministers.
There was a warning spoken to the people at Mount Sinai, a warning from God's own voice that shook the earth. But a second warning has been given. Haggai 2:6 "For thus says the Lord of hosts, Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land. And I will shake all the nations ; and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts."
Hebrews 12:27-29 tells us that all things that have been created will be shaken and that only God's Kingdom, which cannot be shaken, will remain. "Therefore... let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God and acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire."
Those who were disobedient and failed to heed the first warning did not escape God's judgement. And even more so, those of us who have become the children of God, must heed the second warning to "not refuse Him who is speaking". We must not turn away from Him in any way.
Father in heaven, Your Name is holy! You are our Great and Mighty God, a consuming fire. Your ways are perfect and Your will is altogether wonderful. May it be done on earth as it is in heaven.
We long for the day when Your Kingdom comes in all fulness, when this present corrupt earth is swept away and a new heaven and earth will be established. Yet Father, I pray for those who are still walking in darkness and rebellion. Please change their hearts and open their eyes. May they hear Your voice and not harden their hearts I ask You in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Hebrews 12: 4-11 The discipline of the Father is proof of His love, this passage tells us. The Greek word is "paideuo" - to train up a child; to educate , chasten, instruct, learn, teach... The discipliner is one who is a trainer, a teacher, an instructor. It may involve punishment or chastisement, but that is only a part of the training process, for correction.
The quote in verses 5-6 reflect on Proverbs 3:11-12
"My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord, or loathe His reproof, for whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father, the son in whom he delights." Also, Job 5:17 "Behold how happy is the man whom God reproves, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty."
In these verses, the word for discipline is the Hebrew word "muwcar" - chastisement, reproof, warning, or instruction. Reproof is from the Hebrew word "towkachath" - chastisement, correction, refutation, proof, argument, reasoning or rebuke.
We can trust our Heavenly Father for He loves us and treats us "as with sons".
v 7 "It is for discipline that you endure..." The Bible Knowledge Commentary indicates that this statement is meant to remind us that when we go through hardships, which we will all do at times in our lives, we can be encouraged by the fact that God loves us and will use this to discipline or teach us, for we are His children. Illegitimate children, those with no inheritance rights, are "without discipline". (v8)
Our Father disciplines us "for our good". He, "the Father of our spirits" disciplines us that we might live, and so that our lives will produce the "peaceful fruit of righteousness." He desires for us to "share His holiness". Wonderful results are produced as we subject ourselves to our Heavenly Father.
When we receive His discipline and are trained by Him for the His purposes we know His love for us and we testify that we are His children. Because of this we are asked to :
v12 - "strengthen the hands of the weak and the knees of the feeble" Help each other to walk on the "straight paths".
v14 "Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord."
v15 We are to also " see to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble and by it many be defiled."
v16 and that " there be no immoral or godless person
To do these things - reveals a life that has received God's training.
Father in Heaven, have Your own way in me today. Amen.
The quote in verses 5-6 reflect on Proverbs 3:11-12
"My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord, or loathe His reproof, for whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father, the son in whom he delights." Also, Job 5:17 "Behold how happy is the man whom God reproves, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty."
In these verses, the word for discipline is the Hebrew word "muwcar" - chastisement, reproof, warning, or instruction. Reproof is from the Hebrew word "towkachath" - chastisement, correction, refutation, proof, argument, reasoning or rebuke.
We can trust our Heavenly Father for He loves us and treats us "as with sons".
v 7 "It is for discipline that you endure..." The Bible Knowledge Commentary indicates that this statement is meant to remind us that when we go through hardships, which we will all do at times in our lives, we can be encouraged by the fact that God loves us and will use this to discipline or teach us, for we are His children. Illegitimate children, those with no inheritance rights, are "without discipline". (v8)
Our Father disciplines us "for our good". He, "the Father of our spirits" disciplines us that we might live, and so that our lives will produce the "peaceful fruit of righteousness." He desires for us to "share His holiness". Wonderful results are produced as we subject ourselves to our Heavenly Father.
When we receive His discipline and are trained by Him for the His purposes we know His love for us and we testify that we are His children. Because of this we are asked to :
v12 - "strengthen the hands of the weak and the knees of the feeble" Help each other to walk on the "straight paths".
v14 "Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord."
v15 We are to also " see to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble and by it many be defiled."
v16 and that " there be no immoral or godless person
To do these things - reveals a life that has received God's training.
Father in Heaven, have Your own way in me today. Amen.
Monday, June 20, 2016
Hebrews 12 All of these "men ( and women) of old" have left us their testimonies, their lives witness to us of their faith. They prove to us that it is worth it all... to walk with God in faith, for that which was "unseen" during their mortal lives, their greatest hopes have come true for them and much, much more than they could even imagine or hope...
We, too, can "lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us," and "run with endurance the race that is set before us." We must walk by faith.. to please God, to gain His approval, and to receive the promise of eternity.
" ... fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith , who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart." ( v2-3) The ultimate and final witness to us is Jesus Himself. If we can gain courage and hope through the testimony of men and women who lived before us.. how much more can we gain from our perfect Savior, Jesus!
For He is the author of faith - the chief leader, the ruler, the principal of faith. The word signifies the commencement - the beginning - thus the author. And He is also the "perfecter" of faith - the finisher - consummator, the completer. Jesus is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end.. of all things, including faith. He lived it out before us. "..who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God".
Look to Jesus, consider Him... the perfect example of a life lived in faith. The writer encourages us.. gives us the courage to also walk in faith - there is a joy set before us also - in a city not built with hands! Whatever we must endure in this life, it will be worth it all... !!!!
Yes, it can be hard.. but "you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;" We haven't even come close to that, have we?
Father in heaven, how wonderful and gracious You are! You are the One who heals us and forgives us. You save us through faith in Jesus, Who is the author and finisher of faith. Complete Your will in us, Oh Lord. We want to run with endurance the race that You have set before us, laying aside any encumbrance, to please You and to gain a testimony of Your approval. In Christ Jesus we come and ask for help by Your Holy Spirit, Amen.
We, too, can "lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us," and "run with endurance the race that is set before us." We must walk by faith.. to please God, to gain His approval, and to receive the promise of eternity.
" ... fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith , who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart." ( v2-3) The ultimate and final witness to us is Jesus Himself. If we can gain courage and hope through the testimony of men and women who lived before us.. how much more can we gain from our perfect Savior, Jesus!
For He is the author of faith - the chief leader, the ruler, the principal of faith. The word signifies the commencement - the beginning - thus the author. And He is also the "perfecter" of faith - the finisher - consummator, the completer. Jesus is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end.. of all things, including faith. He lived it out before us. "..who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God".
Look to Jesus, consider Him... the perfect example of a life lived in faith. The writer encourages us.. gives us the courage to also walk in faith - there is a joy set before us also - in a city not built with hands! Whatever we must endure in this life, it will be worth it all... !!!!
Yes, it can be hard.. but "you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;" We haven't even come close to that, have we?
Father in heaven, how wonderful and gracious You are! You are the One who heals us and forgives us. You save us through faith in Jesus, Who is the author and finisher of faith. Complete Your will in us, Oh Lord. We want to run with endurance the race that You have set before us, laying aside any encumbrance, to please You and to gain a testimony of Your approval. In Christ Jesus we come and ask for help by Your Holy Spirit, Amen.
Friday, June 17, 2016
Hebrews 11 Each of the people mentioned in this well known account have a testimony to give us; they lived and walked by faith in the One and only True God. God was pleased by their faith and commended them for it.
God commended Abel for offering a worthy sacrifice and He called him righteous. (v4)
God commended Enoch for pleasing Him by his faith, and He took him into heaven. (v5)
God commended Noah for believing the warning given to him and in reverent faith, building the ark. God rewarded him and he "became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith." (v7)
God commended Abraham for obeying Him, going to an unknown land, living as an alien in a nation promised to him and to his offspring, and believing God's promises for an eternal city. (v8-10)
God commended Sarah for considering Him faithful and rewarded her with a son. (v11)
Verses 13-16 are an interlude in this roster of "men of old" who gained God's approval by their faith.
It tells us that they "died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. " The promises they clung to most were the ones that would not be fulfilled on this earth, but in heaven. " But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. "
God commended Abraham for obediently offering up Isaac. For Abraham "considered that God is able to raise men even from the dead..." And God gave Isaac back to him.
God commended Isaac for his faith in blessing Jacob and Esau, "even regarding things to come".
God commended Jacob, who by faith blessed each of his sons, "and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff."
God commended Joseph, who by faith looked ahead to the "exodus of the sons of Israel and gave orders concerning his bones."
God commended the parents of Moses, who hid him from the kings edict. And He commended Moses who:
- chose to identify with his own people in suffering instead of the "passing pleasures of sin; considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward,"
-left Egypt, came back to gather his people, and "By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn might not touch them."
-passed through the Red Sea on dry ground.
By faith:
the walls of Jericho fell.
Rahab was delivered;
Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets "conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight... "
But others suffered in their faith, believing in a "better resurrection" - they were:
tortured
mocked
scourged
imprisoned
stoned
sawn in two
tempted
slain with a sword
made destitute
afflicted
ill-treated
".. men of whom the world was not worthy.. "
" And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect."
Each of these men and women believed that what God promised would come true, even if they would not see it in their own lifetime. They lived in faith, looking towards the things they could not see....
They trusted and obeyed God. Their hope - their expectation and anticipation - was that "better country, that is a heavenly one." Their testimony to us is this - It is worth it all!
What will we do - by faith?
Will we offer a worthy sacrifice?
Will we please Him by our faith?
Will we obey?
Will we look ahead?
Will we endure?
Will we conquer?
Will we die?
Will we consider the reproach of Christ greater than all the riches of... this world?
How will we live.. for Him?
Father in heaven, blessed is Your Name in all the earth! You alone are worthy of our praise and thanksgiving. I choose to walk by faith, persuaded and convinced that Your Word is Truth and all that You have said will be fulfilled. Oh Lord, I want to please You in every way by walking in faith, in a manner worthy of You. Fill me Holy Spirit that I may walk in obedience and hope, by faith, in Christ I pray. Amen.
God commended Abel for offering a worthy sacrifice and He called him righteous. (v4)
God commended Enoch for pleasing Him by his faith, and He took him into heaven. (v5)
God commended Noah for believing the warning given to him and in reverent faith, building the ark. God rewarded him and he "became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith." (v7)
God commended Abraham for obeying Him, going to an unknown land, living as an alien in a nation promised to him and to his offspring, and believing God's promises for an eternal city. (v8-10)
God commended Sarah for considering Him faithful and rewarded her with a son. (v11)
Verses 13-16 are an interlude in this roster of "men of old" who gained God's approval by their faith.
It tells us that they "died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. " The promises they clung to most were the ones that would not be fulfilled on this earth, but in heaven. " But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. "
God commended Abraham for obediently offering up Isaac. For Abraham "considered that God is able to raise men even from the dead..." And God gave Isaac back to him.
God commended Isaac for his faith in blessing Jacob and Esau, "even regarding things to come".
God commended Jacob, who by faith blessed each of his sons, "and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff."
God commended Joseph, who by faith looked ahead to the "exodus of the sons of Israel and gave orders concerning his bones."
God commended the parents of Moses, who hid him from the kings edict. And He commended Moses who:
- chose to identify with his own people in suffering instead of the "passing pleasures of sin; considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward,"
-left Egypt, came back to gather his people, and "By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn might not touch them."
-passed through the Red Sea on dry ground.
By faith:
the walls of Jericho fell.
Rahab was delivered;
Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets "conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight... "
But others suffered in their faith, believing in a "better resurrection" - they were:
tortured
mocked
scourged
imprisoned
stoned
sawn in two
tempted
slain with a sword
made destitute
afflicted
ill-treated
".. men of whom the world was not worthy.. "
" And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect."
Each of these men and women believed that what God promised would come true, even if they would not see it in their own lifetime. They lived in faith, looking towards the things they could not see....
They trusted and obeyed God. Their hope - their expectation and anticipation - was that "better country, that is a heavenly one." Their testimony to us is this - It is worth it all!
What will we do - by faith?
Will we offer a worthy sacrifice?
Will we please Him by our faith?
Will we obey?
Will we look ahead?
Will we endure?
Will we conquer?
Will we die?
Will we consider the reproach of Christ greater than all the riches of... this world?
How will we live.. for Him?
Father in heaven, blessed is Your Name in all the earth! You alone are worthy of our praise and thanksgiving. I choose to walk by faith, persuaded and convinced that Your Word is Truth and all that You have said will be fulfilled. Oh Lord, I want to please You in every way by walking in faith, in a manner worthy of You. Fill me Holy Spirit that I may walk in obedience and hope, by faith, in Christ I pray. Amen.
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Hebrews 11: 1-6
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval."
Faith, the persuasion and conviction of the Truth and reliance upon Christ for salvation... is the
assurance/ substance - the underlying support or confidence
of things hoped for - expected, anticipated, confided
the conviction - the proof; evidence; reproof;
of things not seen.
The men of old - Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham etc.
gained approval - obtained a testimony; became a witness; gave evidence/a good report - they pleased God.
Faith pleases God. To come to Him we must be persuaded and convinced that He is the one True God and that He will reward those who "seek Him".
Abel, by faith, gave a better sacrifice. He believed what God had said. He "obtained the testimony" - he witnesses to us, even though he is dead, that he was righteous.
Enoch walked with God and pleased God, "by faith"... "for he obtained the witness".
"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."
Father, I want to please You by walking with You in faith. I am persuaded that Your Word is the Truth . I am relying in Christ, my Lord and Savior, for life and salvation. I am holding on to the hope that You have given. Lead me nearer. Draw me closer. Thank You Lord, for Your grace.
Amen
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval."
Faith, the persuasion and conviction of the Truth and reliance upon Christ for salvation... is the
assurance/ substance - the underlying support or confidence
of things hoped for - expected, anticipated, confided
the conviction - the proof; evidence; reproof;
of things not seen.
The men of old - Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham etc.
gained approval - obtained a testimony; became a witness; gave evidence/a good report - they pleased God.
Faith pleases God. To come to Him we must be persuaded and convinced that He is the one True God and that He will reward those who "seek Him".
Abel, by faith, gave a better sacrifice. He believed what God had said. He "obtained the testimony" - he witnesses to us, even though he is dead, that he was righteous.
Enoch walked with God and pleased God, "by faith"... "for he obtained the witness".
"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."
Father, I want to please You by walking with You in faith. I am persuaded that Your Word is the Truth . I am relying in Christ, my Lord and Savior, for life and salvation. I am holding on to the hope that You have given. Lead me nearer. Draw me closer. Thank You Lord, for Your grace.
Amen
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