Hebrews 1:2 - God holds everything together by what he says—powerful words! Hebrews 1:2
WATCHING GOD WORK...DON'T REFUSE HIS PLAN "A"
"So, my dear Christian friends, companions in following this call to the heights, take a good hard look at Jesus. He's the centerpiece of everything we believe...now, if we can only keep a firm grip on this bold confidence...Today, please listen; don't turn a deaf ear as in the bitter uprising, that time of wilderness testing! Even though they watched me at work for forty years, your ancestors refused to let me do it my way." Hebrews 3:1-10. A Christmas hope...watching God work His Plan A and finding my rest in God Alone.
ENTERING HIS REST...DATE IS SET FOR "TODAY"
We have received the same promises as those people in the wilderness, but the promises didn't do them a bit of good because they didn't receive the promises with faith. If we believe, though, we'll experience that state of resting. Hebrews 4:2. God keeps setting the date back to "Today" ... And so this is still a live promise. It wasn't canceled at the time of Joshua; otherwise, God wouldn't keep renewing the appointment for "today." The promise of "arrival" and "rest" is still there for God's people. Hebrews 4:7-10.
LISTENING TO GOD...HIS WORDS LAY US OPEN
God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word...We have a high priest with ready access to God. Hebrews 4:12 -15
GRABBING THE PROMISED HOPE...WE HAVE ACCESS
We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus is our High Priest. Hebrews 6:18-20
I liked what he says today:
ReplyDeleteHebrews 4:12 -13 "God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word. We can't get away from it—no matter what."
We've been given the word, it's all there we need to open our hearts wide open to it. Just listen, and obey. Sounds so easy although painful at times.
14 -16 "Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let's not let it slip through our fingers. We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help."
When you you realize Christ has already made the way,He as already felt our pain. All we need to do is follow and obey.
"...take a hard look at Jesus. He's the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave Him to do." ( Hebrews 3:1 MSG)
ReplyDelete"So watch your step..." ( Hebrews 3:12 MSG)
"In the beholding of God we fall not, and in the beholding of ourselves we stand not; yet while we are in this life it is needful that we behold both at once. The higher beholding keepeth us in joy and in the true love of God; the lower beholding keepeth us in godly fear and self-abasement. Our good Lord would that we hold us much more in the beholding of Him, and yet not wholly leave the beholding of ourselves, until the time when we shall be brought up above, where we shall dwell with the Lord Jesus, according to our heart's desire, and be filled with joy without end, beholding Him as He is." ( 66LL pg 316)
I've never seen this quote before and I will go back and reflect on it.
This year has really been one of having sin exposed ( beholding myself) and the Father graciously reminding me that He IS my Father and Jesus IS my ONLY righteousness ( beholding HIM ).
"So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help." (Hebrews 4:16)
Grace to all of you and God's peace!
FG
Bev, I'm drinking in the promise for TODAY (Hebrews 3 and 4) I love that it is always today for the Lord, the Great I AM who created time for our perspective not His eternal, ever-present steadfastness. But it's not always today for us. Let's not let it slip through our fingers.
ReplyDeleteIt is painful at times, Jan, to lay open before Him, exposed but He is in touch with our reality. May we take the mercy, accept the help. Goodness knows how badly we need it!
Those are powerful words you write, FG. In beholding Him, we fail not, in beholding ourselves, we stand not. May we seize the blessing of His steadying, beholding Him this day as we deal with our sin and failure, trusting Him to set us aright.
One day for Hebrews isn't enough. His Word is bountiful Life.
God Gave His Word
ReplyDelete4:13 -18 When God made his promise to Abraham, he backed it to the hilt, putting his own reputation on the line. He said, "I promise that I'll bless you with everything I have—bless and bless and bless!" Abraham stuck it out and got everything that had been promised to him. When people make promises, they guarantee them by appeal to some authority above them so that if there is any question that they'll make good on the promise, the authority will back them up. When God wanted to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee—God can't break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable.
18 -20We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek.
This selection from Hebrews 4 encourages me to PERSERVERE in the TRUTH that God has allowed me to receive. I MUST FULLY AND WHOLLY BELIEVE! The Word is TRUTH. Forgive me LORD for my shallow belief too much of the time.
Jan, Forever Grateful, Annette and Bev...thank you for speaking to my heart today in your comments as well.
Today my kids and grandkids are in from out of town to do Christmas. Must hurry on but had to stop and receive The Word from the Message and from The SOPs. I am praying for each of you.
Annette the kids loved the homemade granola I made from you recipe. Thanks.
This all is a Song of Love to Christ for creating the reason for this wonderful Season of Christmas bringing Hope to ALL the WORLD.
Sylvia
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ReplyDeleteHebrews 6:18-20
ReplyDelete"We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek."
I have no idea who wrote the book of Hebrews, but it is one of the most beautiful books of the Bible. I love how it builds a fire in me! And I am amazed at how it puts us all together in faith...Abraham to the most recent convert.
Today is the Day to Enter His REST!
It is Sabbath.
The rain falls gently outside my windows.
Josh Groban sings "What Child Is This" on my stereo.
Lights twinkle on my three little trees decorated for this season of celebration.
My dishes are clean, laundry awaits.
Right now, I am worshiping this Son that holds everything together. He is Hope. And I am hanging on to Hope. This life leaves much to be desired.
I feel so tender towards those who have never known who Jesus Is.
They see Him as a man. A good man.
I see Him Holy. I see Him Enthroned. I see Him hating evil but loving all, seeking to save all those who are lost.
In a little while. In just a little while. Our Faith shall be made Sight...
Pearls, I pray that you all will keep watch, just like the shepherds in the field That Night keeping watch over their sheep. O Come Let Us Adore Him. Christ The Lord. King of Kings.
These readings today really touched me deeply. It's been a difficult day over here with my attitudes. Grateful for new beginnings every moment. Grateful for TODAY is the day to enter His Rest. This moment is all I have.
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