Category: Hebrews

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Thanks Dad!

Each morning when I walk to work, it’s right across the road, I stop to take in the beauty of the day and I say thank you Father. And when I work the afternoons/evenings, I do the same before I walk back home.

My focus is on my Father and all the beauty He has set for my enjoyment. It reminds me to keep things in a proper perspective.

It’s important to keep a proper perspective when going through tough times and times of contentment. If we begin to look to closely at the difficult situations, they can be overwhelming. In times of success, we can begin to depend on our own efforts and take credit for what God has done. We need to pull back and look at things the way God’s see them.

The Israelites saw a sea too big to cross; God saw a stream and damned it up. Saul’s soldiers saw a giant too big to conquer; David saw a man who was no match for God. Noah saw a world filled with corruption and a devastating flood; God saw a cruise ship of salvation.

King Nebuchadnezzar took pride in his accomplishments and his world-wide fame, forgetting about God. He ended up eating grass in a field like an animal. King Fetus took credit for being one who spoke as “God”, and he was destroyed by his pride.

Fear and pride are destructive forces but staying focused on the goodness and provision of the Father keeps all of life’s circumstances in the proper perspective. It is the Father who blesses us with all good things.

“ Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same.” James 1:17 ERV

It is the Father who is standing at the ready to help us in any difficult situation.

“ 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 grace, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:15-16 CEV

Satan saw Jesus as a dead man, buried in a tomb but God saw the resurrection!

Our Father sees us, His children, and is ready to come to our aid. He has promised us victory, comfort and strength. He has promised peace in the midst of the storm and He gives grace to the humble.

Everything we need comes from Him – take time to be grateful.

Thanks Dad!

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We Knew We’d Be Safe…

we prayed!

Those were the words of one of our campers late this afternoon after we endured the most tumultuous thunderstorm of the 2022 season.

Lightning was flashing every three to four seconds and I was counting off the seconds between lightning and thunder. Once I didn’t even have the word “one” out of my mouth when the thunder boomed.

I would count and know that one of the adjacent campgrounds had experienced a hit. And there were the times I counted and knew that our campground had once again experienced a lightning strike.

My prayer was for the safety and peace of all the campers in all the different sites, ours and those around us. Last summer we experienced some horrendous storms but the Lord brought us safely through.

Each time we are faced with these outbursts of nature I am reminded of my Father’s word.

“Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful.
2 Then you will say to the Lord, ‘You are my fortress, my place of safety, you are my God,
and I trust you.” 3 The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases. 4 He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure.” Psalm 91:1-4 CEV

Last year I had to fight through the fear of such terrible storms. This year I stood confidently victorious in the face of the danger and KNEW beyond any shadow of doubt that I was secure under the shadow of the Almighty.

Noah floated safely above the flood waters; David faced a giant of overwhelming size; Daniel confronted the lions and the Hebrew young men walked through fire without being singed. Peter walked on water; Paul sang in prison at midnight as a storm broke his chains and opened the prison doors; Lazarus was raised from the dead.

Each one knew they would be safe…because we prayed, because we trusted in God’s unfailing word; because we knew God’s promise was to never leave us or abandon us!

“…being content with what you have; 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

When storms threaten, do you set yourself against them? Are they physical, spiritual, financial, emotional – do they threaten to sink your ship or to devour your person?

“Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You [for forgiveness] in a time when You [are near and] may be found; Surely when the great waters [of trial and distressing times] overflow they will not reach [the spirit in] him. 7 You are my hiding place; You, Lord, protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance. Selah.” Psalm 32:6-7 AMP

Storms are real; adversity is meant to destroy. Face the lions, stand tall in the fiery furnace, defeat your Goliaths, speak to the angry waves.

Let the Father close the mouth of the lions, deliver you from the flames, calm the seas and direct the sling and the stone to destroy the giant.

“The Lord gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm. 4 So always trust the Lord
because he is forever our mighty rock” Isaiah 26:3-4 CEV

Say with confidence “I knew I would be safe, I prayed!”.

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Keep Your Hands Full

The last couple of days the blog has focused on words – God’s Word and our words. This morning we’re going to see how the two of them line up.

When the Lord called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt Moses felt unprepared. The Lord told him the shepherd’s rod that he carried would be used as a sign of God’s power.

“‘The Lord answered, “What’s that in your hand?” “A walking stick,” Moses replied. 3 “Throw it down!” the Lord commanded. So Moses threw the stick on the ground. It immediately turned into a snake, and Moses jumped back.4 “Pick it up by the tail!” the Lord told him. And when Moses did this, the snake turned back into a walking stick.5 “Do this,” the Lord said, “and the Israelites will believe that you have seen me, the God who was worshiped by their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’” Exodus 4:2-5 CEV

Moses held that rod up, before God and the enemy, as a remembrance that God said He would fight for Israel and defeat their enemies and lead them into the Promised Land. God has promised to fight for us and defeat our enemies.

God has placed a rod in our hands but it’s more powerful than any sword or physical implement of battle.

“God’s word is alive and working. It is sharper than the sharpest sword and cuts all the way into us. It cuts deep to the place where the soul and the spirit are joined. God’s word cuts to the center of our joints and our bones. It judges the thoughts and feelings in our hearts. 13 Nothing in all the world can be hidden from God. He can clearly see all things. Everything is open before him. And to him we must explain the way we have lived.” Hebrews 4:12-13 CEV

When we know and speak God’s word it reinforces us with courage and hope. It keeps us from falling into the sin of worry and discouragement.

God’s word is powerful enough to give us new life in Christ. It is rich enough to provide salvation – wholeness, soundness – in every situation. A centurion captain came to Jesus and asked that his servant be healed.

“But the officer said, “Lord, I’m not good enough for you to come into my house. Just give the order, and my servant will get well. 9  I have officers who give orders to me, and I have soldiers who take orders from me. I can say to one of them, ‘Go!’ and he goes. I can say to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes. I can say to my servant, ‘Do this!’ and he will do it.’ 10 When Jesus heard this, he was so surprised that he turned and said to the crowd following him, “I tell you in all of Israel I’ve never found anyone with this much faith!” Matthew 8:8-10 CEV

The centurion knew the power of words spoken by one in authority. He knew the words spoken by Jesus would bring results.

In our battle today we have a rod, a powerful sword in our hand and the word of God in our mouth – we have all we need to defeat our enemy. Jesus is our example – when He was tempted by satan His weapon of defense was “it is written, it is written, it is written”.

Our response should be the same!

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Nothing Better

Some mornings I want nothing more than to imagine that I am snuggling in my Father’s arms and feeling the comfort of His love! Aww, there’s nothing better than that.

The world we live in is filled with crazy distractions and difficulties. It can be overwhelming.

What was the first thing on your mind this morning? The kids, your job, health, finances, a relationship, the world crisis – whatever it is, the Lord has a solution.

“God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.” I Peter 5:7 CEV

His lap is cozy enough to have room for you to cuddle up and draw strength from Him.

His Word is powerful enough to change the course of rivers and set the boundaries in the sky; so at His word your world can change from disorder to order. Don’t let anything hold you back from enjoying the Father’s presence, His power and His word.

“The rules you have given me to follow will be mine forever. They give me great joy. 112 More than anything I want to obey your laws always, until the end of my life.” Psalm 119:11-112 ERV

Do you remember when your kids and grandkids were small? The times when they would crawl up in your lap and snuggle in? They were coming to find comfort, a place of peace and protection. They were secure.

What did that do to your heart?

It melted, I’m sure. It was a time when you sensed you were trusted, and unconditionally depended upon. I imagine that’s how the Father’s heart feels when we pull away from all the distractions and come to find rest and comfort in Him.

This is a verse I share often in this blog, but it isn’t just because it makes good writing. No, it is a life-style verse for me.

“ 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

This is my invitation, our invitation, to come to the Father where we find help and comfort. A place of safety and protection, a place of trust. To me, there’s nothing better than enjoying the love I find in my Father’s presence.

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A Perfect Heart

Years ago we learned a song in church that still rings in my heart.

“Bless the Lord Who reigns with beauty
Bless the Lord Who reigns with wisdom and with power
Bless the Lord Who reigns my life with so much love
He can make a perfect heart“

No matter how hard we try, we can’t make our heart perfect. It’s beyond our ability but in Christ, we have been made a new creature and with that we are given God’s DNA (divine nature ability).

Our life in Christ gives us His righteousness as an exchange for our sin.

“But Christ offered only one sacrifice for sins, and that sacrifice is good for all time. Then he sat down at the right side of God. 13 And now Christ waits there for his enemies to be put under his power. 14 With one sacrifice Christ made his people perfect forever.” Hebrews 10:12-14

A perfect heart. A heart filled with love!

“My children, let us not love with words or in talk only. Let us love by what we do and in truth. 19 This is how we know we are Christians. It will give our heart comfort for sure when we stand before Him.” I John 3:18-19 NLV

Loving in deed and not words only. The old adage “actions speak louder than words” rings true.

“God so loved the world that He gave”…He gave what meant the most to Him, Jesus! Jesus gave what was most valuable to Him, his life.

“17 The Father loves me, because I give up my life, so I may receive it back again. 18 No one takes my life from me. I give it up willingly! I have the power to give it up and the power to receive it back again, just as my Father commanded me to do.” John 10:17-18 CEV

A perfect heart.

” Now I tell you to love each other, as I have loved you. 13 The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them. 14 And you are my friends, if you obey me.” John 15:12-14 CEV

Father, my desire is to be like Jesus. I want a heart that is open to serving others in the same way that Jesus did. Let my life reflect you in all I do. I desire a perfect heart. Amen.

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A Safety Line

Four years ago, Dave and I were on the way from our home in Rio Rico to Las Vegas. From Las Vegas we would fly to Chicago and then drive on to Indianapolis for the big Indy 500. This was a bucket list item for Dave.

But on our drive, we were met with a delay. We heard a helicopter whirling overhead and as we made the next bend in the road we saw why.

There, suspended in a safety harness, was a workman who was securing lines on an electrical tower. He seemed to be working confidently as the helicopter pilot held him in place. Attached to the safety harness was a steel cable keeping him tethered to the helicopter.

The helicopter pilot had to adjust to wind currents and the like, holding the workman secure.

We have a safety line from the Father. It’s called an anchor of hope.

“These two things cannot change: God cannot lie when he says something, and he cannot lie when he makes an oath.

So these two things are a great help to us who have come to God for safety. They encourage us to hold on to the hope that is ours. 19 This hope is like an anchor for us. It is strong and sure and keeps us safe. It goes behind the curtain. 20 Jesus has already entered there and opened the way for us. He has become the high priest forever, just like Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:18-20 ERV

Since God cannot lie His promises hold true. They are an anchor for us, an anchor of hope. Jesus is like that helicopter pilot. He is in heaven holding the line that keeps us secure.

Sometimes the winds of life blow fiercely; the earth beneath our feet starts to quake and our knees give way. Flooding torrents of opposition try to swamp us and take us under. But never forget our Father and Jesus, our Savior, hold the lines of our safety.

“God saves me and honors me. He is that mighty rock where I find safety.8 Trust God, my friends, and always tell him each of your concerns. God is our place of safety.” Psalm 62:7-8 CEV

“You are my Lord and God, and I look to you for safety. Don’t let me be harmed.” Psalm 141:8 CEV

Our God knew Daniel would face a lions’ den; He knew that Noah would need an ark. He knew that the widow only had a small cruse of oil and a little flour; He knew the disciples would be on the sea in a storm.

He knew!

And He said: “Descendants of Jacob, I, the Lord, created you and formed your nation. Israel, don’t be afraid. I have rescued you, I have called you by name; now you belong to me. 2 When you cross deep rivers, I will be with you, and you won’t drown. When you walk through fire, you won’t be burned or scorched by the flames. 3 I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, the God who saves you.” Isaiah 43:1-3 CEV

Everyone who has placed their faith in Jesus is a descendant of Jacob and these verses were written for us.

God’s word is our safety line and Jesus, Himself, is holding us secure!

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Too Big To Handle

Do you have responsibility for a big project? Do you feel dwarfed by the responsibility?

Maybe it’s a massive system at work, possibly you have been given the task of raising a child? Do you have an inventor’s mind and need additional creativity? Are you training young men and women? Do you have the responsibility for growing crops and tending livestock? Maybe you are working on the next medical break through?

If the task before you is great I want you to know that our God is greater!

Let’s look at some big jobs in the Bible: naming all the animals and plants, building an ark and packing it with provisions, leading a million plus on a desert journey, building the tabernacle, building the Temple, conquering an entire civilization, bringing the plan of salvation to the world. Some pretty mind-boggling assignments, right?

“David said, ‘All these plans were written with the Lord guiding me. He helped me understand everything in the plans.’ 20 David also said to his son Solomon, ‘Be strong and brave and finish this work. Don’t be afraid, because the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will help you until all the work is finished. He will not leave you. You will build the Lord’s Temple. 21 The groups of the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on God’s Temple. Every skilled worker is ready to help you with all the work. The officials and all the people will obey every command you give.’”I Chronicles 28:19-21 ERV

God is into details and if you spend time listening, He will give you the direction you need. Come to Him, come with pen in hand so you can write down what He says. Listen, write and obey.

“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 ERV

Come to Him in faith believing that He has the answers and that He will provide you with the answers you need. You won’t be disappointed!

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You Understand!

This morning I’ve spent a lot of time in prayer. My heart is aching because I have been praying for those who are going through such tremendous seasons of hurting or failure.

I found myself saying, “You understand what it’s like to see Your children go through such trying times. You understand what it is to weep over those You dearly love. You understand…”

Oh my, dear reader, He does understand.

“ We have a great high priest, who has gone into heaven, and he is Jesus the Son of God. This 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 grace, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:14-16 CEV

Not only does He understand, He is there to help us with every need and every weakness.

Some of you are experiencing the loss of a loved one while others are plagued by debilitating fear. Financial set back and even bankruptcy looms large on the horizon for some families and businesses. Physical health issues are threatening fatally while some face the darkness of dementia. Perhaps your family is fractured by separation or divorce.

The hurt, the grief, the hopelessness are real. He understands!

He cried over the loss of a loved one, He was misunderstood and publicly ridiculed and maligned. He felt lonely and used.

He understands!

Bring your weariness, your heart ache, your pain – bring them to Jesus. Let Him comfort and console. Let Him bathe you in peace and joy unspeakable. Receive hope, hope that was gone.

“ Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. 29 Accept my teaching. Learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will be able to get some rest.” Matthew 11:28-29 ERV

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me]to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives
recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19 NKJV

“ I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 ERV

Dear friend, never forget that He understands and He is always willing to help!

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Sorry – Wrong Account

Well, that was a surprising email!

Dave and I are waiting to be reimbursed for some warranty work. I received an email requesting our summer address and was given a date of when the reimbursement should be arriving.

I replied asking if that would be for both invoices and received another email verifying two invoices but the wrong amounts. This was quickly followed by another email, “Sorry, wrong account” and then listed the correct amounts for reimbursement.

Good.

Things like that happen every day, hundreds of times. People being improperly charged and then there are emails, phone calls (sometimes very heated calls) and finally correction and resolution.

Do you know things like that happen in our spiritual lives as well? We’ll be going along just as carefree and happy as you please when a thought, a condemning thought, comes to mind. It’s called our conscience, a guilty conscience, reminding us of something in our past that we are ashamed of, and we plummet into self-pity and unworthiness.

Stamp that memory with the words “Wrong Account” and return to the sender, who is the devil.

“But Christ was sinless, and he offered himself as an eternal and spiritual sacrifice to God. This is why his blood is much more powerful and makes our consciences clear. Now we can serve the living God and no longer do things that lead to death.

15 Christ died to rescue those who had sinned and broken the old agreement. Now he brings his chosen ones a new agreement with its guarantee of God’s eternal blessings!” Hebrews 9:14-15 CEV

Christ took our sins, all of them, and paid the price for our forgiveness. They were charged to His account and that account has been marked paid in full. Through His sacrifice we can live with a clear conscience.

“He destroyed the record of the debt we owed, with its requirements that worked against us. He canceled it by nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:14 CEB

The debt has been removed by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Our account, our conscience, has been cleansed!

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Sit Quietly

This morning is one of those times when sleep eluded me. Awake at 1 am and up at 1:45. It was time to get up, pray and let the Lord speak to my heart.

I cherish those times of sitting quietly in His presence.

I began to read some of my favorite passages and found myself in Colossians. It’s there I stayed; my heart was flooded with complete gratitude – there truly are no words to express my thankfulness.

“God made us free from the power of darkness. And he brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son. 14 The Son paid the price to make us free. In him we have forgiveness of our sins.” Colossians 1:13-14 ERV

Every sin I have ever committed and every one that I still will are forgiven!

Christ paid the price for our sin, once for all, we have been made right with God. I have been made right with God!

“At one time you were separated from God. You were his enemies in your minds, because the evil you did was against him. 22 But now he has made you his friends again. He did this by the death Christ suffered while he was in his body. He did it so that he could present you to himself as people who are holy, blameless, and without anything that would make you guilty before him. ” Colossians 1:21-22 ERV

No longer separated from, no longer enemies but friends. And not just friends – we’ve been adopted as His own. Christ died for me, to forgive me and then presented me to the Father as one who is holy, blameless and without guilt.

“You will show me the way of life. Being with You is to be full of joy. In Your right hand there is happiness forever.” Psalm 16:11 NLV

“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 grace, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:15-16 CEV

I am welcome in His throne room. I am invited to spend time in His presence. It’s important to sit quietly in His presence with no agenda or requests. In His presence is the fullness of joy!

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