Category: Hebrews

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Our Beautiful Lord

When I woke this morning, I was weary. My body ached and I felt weak. I felt vulnerable; there was only one thing to do.

Focus on my beautiful Lord and Savior.

“ With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:16 ERV

“So we should be thankful because we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken. And because we are thankful, we should worship God in a way that will please him.” Hebrews 12:28 ERV

I thank Him for saving me, for His healing, joy, hope, peace, strength, rest, forgiveness, adoption, kindness, patience and understanding. In my thankfulness I heard the melody and the lyrics of this praise song.

Oh Lord, you’re beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.

Oh Lord, please light the fire,
That once burned bright and clear.
Replace the lamp of my first love,
That burns with Holy fear.

I want to take your word and shine it all around.
But first help me to just, live it Lord.
And when I’m doing well, help me to never seek a crown.
For my reward is giving glory to you.

Oh Lord, you’re beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me. by Keith Green

And then this one:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

You see, when we rise each day we have a choice. We can look at our circumstances and the day ahead through our own understanding and conditioning or we can see it through the eyes of Christ who has called us to be victorious, overcomers, always triumphant through Him.

Today, I chose the latter. I choose to look into the face of my beautiful Savior and draw my strength from Him.

I pray you will do the same!

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Beginning Forever

When did forever begin? Maybe that’s a little deeper thought than you want to begin the day with but it’s important to ponder.

It’s the foundation and basis of our faith.

“In the beginning God” Genesis 1:1 and “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God”. John 1:1

Forever began in the eternal existence of God and will continue with no end.

“ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 ERV

We are living in God’s forever plan. It didn’t start the day we were born, it has always been. Remember, at few days back when I wrote about God choosing us before the foundation of the world”?

Forever began in God’s heart at that time. His purpose and plans were put into effect.

“The Lord is our God. He rules the whole world. 15 Remember his agreement forever, the promise he gave that will never end.” I Chronicles 16:14-15 ERV

“God is not a man; he will not lie. God is not a human being; his decisions will not change.
If he says he will do something, then he will do it. If he makes a promise, then he will do what he promised.” Numbers 23:19 ERV

The Lord doesn’t want us chasing after things that change. The things this world offers are fickled. They change. There values increase and decrease, they can’t be trusted to stand the test of time.

‘”Keep your lives free from the love of money. And be satisfied with what you have. God has said,

‘I will never leave you; I will never run away from you.’

6 So we can feel sure and say,

‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. People can do nothing to me.’

7 Remember your leaders. They taught God’s message to you. Remember how they lived and died, and copy their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Don’t let all kinds of strange teachings lead you into the wrong way. Depend only on God’s grace for spiritual strength, not on rules about foods. Obeying those rules doesn’t help anyone.” Hebrews 13:5-9 ERV

We are living in the “forever” of God. His plans and promises have not changed. The purpose of God has always been the same.

“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 ERV

If you haven’t realized it before, today begins your forever. Your forever of living in God’s promises, your forever of living in God’s peace, your forever of being called His child, the beginning of your eternal life.

“ Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ERV

Today, is the beginning of forever in His love!

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Thankful for Comfort & Rest

The other morning the Lord reminded me of this picture that was taken six years ago. Let me give you the back story.

Our youngest daughter and family had come to visit for the weekend. We had been playing and going non-stop for 2 days. Our granddaughter was two at the time. She was having so much fun, she didn’t want to quit but we knew she needed rest. I got her to sit in my lap while her mother and I visited at the kitchen table.

She would fuss, squirm, try to get down but I held her close. Eventually, she fell asleep and got the rest she so desperately needed.

About 30 years before that her mother was the one who needed the rest. She had awakened in the middle of the night and cried out. I got up and tried to comfort her while she was still in her crib. That didn’t work, so I picked her up and carried her to the living room where I tried to rock her back to sleep. Sleep didn’t come, instead she strained in my arms trying to get me to carry her to another room. We went to the kitchen but she wasn’t content there. On to the family room; no, that wasn’t the place either. We made it back to the living room where I sat down, she cuddled in and I rocked her to sleep.

I said a soft prayer. “Lord, this is where we started. Why couldn’t she have just rested here to begin with?” To that, the Holy Spirit ministered to my heart, “and why can’t you be content when I tell you to rest?”

Ouch!

The Lord doesn’t want us to be stressed, anxious, exhausted, dismayed or consumed with worry. He wants us to rest in Him.

“ For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering].” Hebrews 2:18 AMPC

Just like an attentive mother, Jesus has made Himself available to run to our cry – to assist and relieve us in time of trouble.

“For thus says the Lord: Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; then you will be nursed, you will be carried on her hip and trotted [lovingly bounced up and down] on her [God’s maternal] knees. 13 As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” Isaiah 66:12-13 AMPC

Peace and comfort!

“Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him; fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass. 8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath; fret not yourself—it tends only to evildoing.” Psalm 37:7-8 AMPC

The Lord longs to comfort us as a mother with her child. We need to let Him hold us tight, cuddle in and receive comfort. Be still – rest – and fret not! Be grateful for His comfort!

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Fall Back

Tomorrow is the start of daylight savings time for most of our nation but not here in Arizona. We don’t “fall back”, we stay the course. We are the same in Spring or Fall. So nice!

Thankful for things that don’t change. The last few days there have been continuous reminders to “fall back”. Now I have to remember what time it is in Houston where my brother lives, and in California where our son lives…

YUK!

I like it when things done change.

“Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Don’t be fooled by any kind of strange teachings.” Hebrews 13:8-9a

There are always new thoughts, new ideas. new doctrines and mantras BUT only one is infallible and perfect.

JESUS NEVER CHANGES!

Can I get a big Amen?

This is the kind of “fall back” that I am glad to see.

“I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. 3 When my enemies turn back, They shall fall and perish at Your presence. 4 For You have maintained my right and my cause; You sat on the throne judging in righteousness.” Psalm 9:2-4 NJKV

Put the faithfulness of God on your list of things to be thankful for and go out and enjoy this day!

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Lift Up Your Head

Being a Christian doesn’t mean we are free from disappointment and heart ache. We are faced with the same challenges and problems as everyone else in the world. We experience relationships that fail; physical sickness and disease; death of loved ones; financial lack; political and social attack and unrest; and family crises.

What makes the difference in our lives is our faith and trust in a loving heavenly Father who is able to come to our aide in every situation. We don’t live with our heads in the sand but we do live with our hearts in HIS hand!

Let me remind you of what Jesus said.

“The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me (the Messiah), Because He has anointed Me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent Me to announce release (pardon, forgiveness) to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy), 19 to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the favor of God abound greatly].’” Luke 4:17-19 AMP

This was the reason Jesus came and He didn’t just talk the talk, He walked the walk. So did His disciples.

“Jesus answered, ‘Go and tell John what you have heard and seen. 5 The blind are now able to see, and the lame can walk. People with leprosy are being healed, and the deaf can hear. The dead are raised to life, and the poor are hearing the good news. 6 God will bless everyone who doesn’t reject me because of what I do.” Matthew 11:4-6 CEV

His purpose is the same today as it was then!

When we are feeling overwhelmed we don’t have to fall into the same pit of despair as others around us. We can lift up our heads (a sign of hope) and go to the One who comforts, heals and sets right.

“Hear my cry, O God; Listen to my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth I call to You, when my heart is overwhelmed and weak; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I [a rock that is too high to reach without Your help]. 3 For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me, A strong tower against the enemy.” Psalm 61:1-3 AMP

” We have a great high priest, who has gone into heaven, and he is Jesus the Son of God. That is why we must hold on to what we have said about him. 15 Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:14-16 CEV

Lift your head, look up. Come find help today!

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Able & Available

God, our heavenly Father, is able!

Able means He has the ability to do or complete the task set before Him. He is able to work on our behalf but He needs us to work with Him.

Because He is a loving Father he won’t force Himself on us and He won’t force us to take the benefits He has for us. But if we will allow Him to work in our lives we will see His ability working on our behalf.

“Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you.

20 With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of. 21 To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:19-21 ERV

When we know God’s love, His power can work within us to bring Him glory.

“18 Because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted, He is able to help and provide immediate assistance to those who are being tempted and exposed to suffering.” Hebrews 2:18 AMP

He is able to help us immediately when we are being tempted because He was also tempted and suffered.

“God is strong and can (is able to) keep you from falling. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and give you great joy. 25 He is the only God, the one who saves us. To him be glory, greatness, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord for all time past, now, and forever. Amen.” Jude 24-25 CEV

God is able to keep us! He is able to save us!

“But Jesus will never die, and so he will be a priest forever! 25 He is forever able to save the people he leads to God, because he always lives to speak to God for them.” Hebrews 7:24-25 CEV

As I finished writing this a chorus filled my heart. It’s a song we sang twenty years ago.

“And here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me”

Father, I am available. You are able to work in me, through me and for me for Your honor and glory!

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Life with Benefits

Yesterday I had a routine visit to the dentist. You know the semi-annual cleaning. Everything went well – the hygienist is so sweet and she’s very thorough. When I was checking out, I learned that our dentist office is no longer “in network” and next year we will be without a dental benefit if we continue with this practice.

What??

Our practice is under new ownership. Our previous dentist sold the practice and two new dentists, who are very good, purchased it but now it is out-of-network. We like the new dentists and especially our hygienist.

But…we’ve lost our benefit. Have you ever been in a situation where you lost benefits?

That’s one thing we never have to be concerned about in our relationship with the Lord.

“ Honor and thanks be to the Lord, Who carries our heavy loads day by day. He is the God Who saves us. 20 Our God is a God Who sets us free. The way out of death belongs to God the Lord.” Psalm 68:19-20 NLV

“We praise you, Lord God! You treat us with kindness day after day, and you rescue us. 20 You always protect us and save us from death.” Psalm 68:19-20 CEV

“Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah
20 Our God is the God of salvation; And to God the Lord belong escapes from death.” Psalm 68:19-20 NJKV

The Lord, our Father, the God of salvation daily loads us up with benefits. When we are in Christ, we are “in-network”. We don’t have to get a referral or special authorization to enjoy the benefits. We don’t have a co-pay – that was all taken care of on the cross.

“ Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:1-5

When it comes to our relationship with the Lord, we are always in an open enrollment. We aren’t limited to calendar restrictions.

“ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'” Romans 10:12-13 NKJV

The premium has been paid for.

“Then he said, ‘Here I am, God. I have come to do what you want.‘ So God ends that first system of sacrifices and starts his new way. 10 Jesus Christ did the things God wanted him to do. And because of that, we are made holy through the sacrifice of Christ’s body. Christ made that sacrifice one time—enough for all time.” Hebrews 10:9-10 ERV

Because of Christ we have life with benefits!

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Always With You

I have some words of encouragement, hope, comfort and strength. Not my words, but the words of Jesus.

I had been reading the last chapter of Mark where the women went to the tomb on resurrection morning. They were distraught, confused and grieving. When they reached the tomb Jesus wasn’t there. Excitedly they left and found the disciples; they relayed what the angel had said but they doubted the women. Only Peter and John went to the tomb to see for themselves.

They felt abandoned.

Have you ever felt alone, heartsick with no guidance, deserted?

The first thing you need to understand is this: God never lies. What He promises comes to pass. If He ever broke a promise He has made, He would no longer be God because God cannot sin and lying is a sin.

So, let’s look at His promises of never leaving us.

“The Lord says, ‘As for me, this is the agreement that I will make with these people. I promise my Spirit that I put on you and my words that I put in your mouth will never leave you. They will be with you and your children and your children’s children, for now and forever.’” Isaiah 59:21 ERV

“But I am always with you. You hold my hand. 24 You lead me and give me good advice, and later you will lead me to glory” Psalm 73:23-24 ERV

“Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23:6 CEV

“Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.” Matthew 28:19-20 CEV

” for He has said, ‘I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!’ 6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say, ‘The Lord is my Helper [in time of need], I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?’” Hebrews 13:5b-6 AMP

Sitting in the living room, in a doctor’s office or hospital, in a jail cell, or on the streets we are not alone!

The end of the world has not come, God has not lied – He is with us now and forever!

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Carrying Kindness

In my morning reading, I was in the book of Mark, chapter 15. Jesus had been betrayed by Judas, deserted by His disciples, denied by Peter and was now standing before Pilate to be questioned.

“The chief priests brought many charges against Jesus. 4 Then Pilate questioned him again, “Don’t you have anything to say? Don’t you hear what crimes they say you have done?” 5 But Jesus did not answer, and Pilate was amazed…10 Pilate knew that the chief priests had brought Jesus to him because they were jealous.” Mark 15:3-10 CEV

Before I started reading the Lord had been dealing with my heart about godly character, carrying kindness instead of carrying a grudge.

Jesus knew what it was like to be lied about, misunderstood by family, betrayed by friends, persecuted. He knew hardship, he knew anger, he knew heartbreak, he knew loneliness.

He was the Son of God but His life was not void of hardship.

“Great blessings belong to those who suffer persecution for doing what is right.
    God’s kingdom belongs to them.

11 “People will insult you and hurt you. They will lie and say all kinds of evil things about you because you follow me. But when they do that, know that great blessings belong to you. 12 Be happy about it. Be very glad because you have a great reward waiting for you in heaven. People did these same bad things to the prophets who lived before you.” Matthew 5:10-12 ERV

“ But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. 45  Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong. 46 If you love only those people who love you, will God reward you for this? Even tax collectors[a] love their friends. 47 If you greet only your friends, what’s so great about this? Don’t even unbelievers do that? 48  But you must always act like your Father in heaven.” Mark 5:44-48 CEV

This truth of godliness was so engrained in the life of Christ that on the cross when He had been beaten, whipped beyond recognition and nailed to a cross He was able to cry out, “Father, forgive them. They don’t realize what they are doing”.

In His most agonizing moment, He carried kindness and not revenge.

Most of us will not experience this type of persecution but we will have what the Bible calls tribulation. We will have moments of great sorrow that are unjust – we will be lied about and lied to. We will have heartache, we will be betrayed.

“ Listen to me. A time is coming when you will be scattered, each to his own home. In fact, that time is already here. You will leave me, and I will be alone. But I am never really alone, because the Father is with me.

33 “I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” John 16:32-33 ERV

We will never experience this peace on our own. Grudges, resentment, and hatred will fester and grow if left unresolved but in Christ we can have peace. In God, we find help.

“Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned. 16 With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:15-16 ERV

Through God’s strength and mercy we stop carrying a grudge and we carry kindness and forgiveness.

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Time To Come Home

I’m a big western movie fan. First it was John Wayne, followed by Tom Selleck and Sam Elliott. Thought I should explain that first thing, since you may be wondering about this morning’s picture.

In the movie Conagher, a lonely widow and a cowboy fall in love. It takes the cowboy the whole movie to find his way back to his lady love. She finds him in a saloon after a bar fight and says to him “Mr Conagher, it’s time for you to come home now”. That’s the scene that played through my mind this morning.

When I got up this morning there was a big prompting on my heart.

This is for those who believe they have wandered too far from God. For whatever reason you have been living life your own way. You have completely forgotten about God and may have even wondered if God is truly out there.

Now in the midst of trouble and difficult times you want to pray, you want to reach out, you want to ask God if He is really there for you but you’re afraid.

Afraid that He won’t answer. Afraid that He will reject you. Afraid that He doesn’t really care!

That’s a lie! God is there for you – be honest. He knows your heart before you call. He knows your doubts and your fears. He knows your weaknesses and your failings. He knows everything there is to know about you and He LOVES you!

“We are careful not to judge people by what they seem to be, though we once judged Christ in that way. 17 Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 18 God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others.

19 What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace. 20 We were sent to speak for Christ, and God is begging you to listen to our message. We speak for Christ and sincerely ask you to make peace with God.” II Corinthians 5:16-20 CEV

The reason God sent Christ to this earth was to make a way for us to be reconciled to God. Reconciliation is to make right, to put in balance. In Christ we are put in balance with the Father.

God, the Father, is waiting for us to come to him and when we do He rewards us with His love and grace.

“Without faith no one can please God. Whoever comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who sincerely try to find him.” Hebrews 11:6 CEV

God isn’t mad at you. He’s not holding your past against you but instead He is waiting for you with open arms. He’s here to welcome you home!

“20 The younger son got up and started back to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt sorry for him. He ran to his son and hugged and kissed him.

21 The son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against God in heaven and against you. I am no longer good enough to be called your son.’

22 But his father said to the servants, ‘Hurry and bring the best clothes and put them on him. Give him a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 Get the best calf and prepare it, so we can eat and celebrate. 24 This son of mine was dead, but has now come back to life. He was lost and has now been found.’ And they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:20-24 CEV

If you’ve been wandering, It’s Time to Come Home! The Father’s waiting…

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