Isa. {1:4} Ah sinful nation, a people
laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are
corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have
provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone
away backward.
*
Sounds like people today doesn't it? Sounds like the world today.
What nation can't fit into this? Is there one?
A sinful nation.
A people laden with iniquity.
A seed of evildoers.
Children that are corrupters.
Forsaken the Lord.
Provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger.
Gone backwards.
It's safe to say that there isn't a nation today that doesn't fit the bill.
The corruption is so great it can't even be hidden any longer.
I was thinking about that earlier. Some people will say that it was always like it is now, only hidden.
I don't believe that.
Oh, I believe that there has always been evil, I just don't believe that it's always been as pronounced as it is now. I could be wrong, I'm no authority.
I just know that before perhaps people kept their compulsions under control more than they do now, they had to or when I was growing up we would have been just as afraid to allow our children out to play as we are now. We didn't have to worry there was a sexual predator on our street, on the street over, several of them all around the neighborhood. Today you have to worry about it, flyers go out announcing the newest sexual offender to the neighborhood. You can look up online and find out just how many sexual predators live around you. Now is it because we have a different technology? No. Because you can go back and get records and they weren't just hiding the sexual offenders from people and now they're not. There weren't as many, they weren't as prevelant.
As it was in the days of Noah.
Some might argue that it's been like it was in the days of Noah forever, but I can't agree.
Seriously.
The thought crossed my mind that if things were always as bad and just hiddened, then wouldn't we have a lot more abused people in the world? Or maybe we do or have, and everyone's always kept it hidden. I don't know.
What I do know is just in my own lifetime of 45 years, almost 46, things seems so much worse in so many ways.
We're a sinful nation.
We're corrupt.
We're evildoers.
We've forsaken the Lord.
We've provoked the Holy One of Israel.
Perhaps from generation to generation it's all the same to some degree.
Is it worse?
Yes.
Does it grow worse and worse?
Yes.
Will it continue on the trend until it can get no worse?
Yes, yes...yes.
We are children of our Heavenly Father and so many of us have forsaken Him, denied Him, refuse to listen to Him, shun His amazing love.
May God help us all!
By the grace and mercy of His Son, sacrificed for us, may we seek and find Him, may we grab hold and never let go.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior this is my prayer.
Amen.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Isaiah 1
Isaiah
{1:2} Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.
{1:3} The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: [but] Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
{1:4} Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
The ox knoweth his owner...
The ass his master's crib...
We could say the dog knows his owner and the horse his stall. Right? We understand that don't we? Having pets we understand their devotion. Are animals instinctively geared to follow their owners, their keepers?
We're not animals, but we are given every reason to follow our own Creator, our Father, our caregiver.
If we don't want to equate ourselves with animals- if we want to believe we are better, well, it's true. We were created much higher than the animals, animals were to be subject under us. But...where man errs is thinking that he is greater than his Creator, more important than his Maker.
The Lord hath spoken-- I have nourished and brought up children.
We are God's children. Without God we wouldn't exist at all whatsoever but so many don't believe that. They believe that we are responisible for our own existence. That somehow mysteriously we just were without any real logic as to how we did that- sure there are a lot of strange, unbelievable theories but that's just what they are theories. Nothing could truly explain our existence other than our being created. We were created and our Creator, our Heavenly Father didn't leave us on our own to flounder He brought us up, He raised us with the knowledge of Him and the way of life that would be best for us.
What did His children do as He sought to nourish them and bring them up in the best way? They rebelled against Him.
The arrogance of man is unbelievable. Self is predominent and what we call independance, wanting to do for ourselves, is truly like a young child wanting to feed themselves, wanting to make their own way. A young child needs a caregiver. A young child might think they know what's best for them, but in truth they don't. A young child will jump into deep water not even realizing they can't swim and they drown. A young child will reach into the pretty fire not realize it will burn them. We are children of God and our wisdom, our knowledge is nothing compared to that of our Heavenly Father and yet we want to think we know it all.
We rebel.
We sin.
We turn to ourselves and our evil ways, our corrupt ways.
We forsake the Lord, we anger Him, we go backwards not forwards.
Seriously.
Today people are no different than the people of thousands of year ago. If anything even more so, people try to use science and popular theory to explain our existent, they don't want to answer to a Creator, to a Heavenly Father. They are rebellious.
It is my prayer that we all understand that we are children of the Lord. Children! We do have a heavenly Father we have to answer to. A heavenly Father who cares for us, His children and love us as only a parent can love a child.
By the mercy and grace of our Lord and our Savior may our hearts be made clean in Him, may our lives become lives of obedience to the Heavenly Father whose love for us knows no bounds.
Amen.
{1:2} Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.
{1:3} The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: [but] Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
{1:4} Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
The ox knoweth his owner...
The ass his master's crib...
We could say the dog knows his owner and the horse his stall. Right? We understand that don't we? Having pets we understand their devotion. Are animals instinctively geared to follow their owners, their keepers?
We're not animals, but we are given every reason to follow our own Creator, our Father, our caregiver.
If we don't want to equate ourselves with animals- if we want to believe we are better, well, it's true. We were created much higher than the animals, animals were to be subject under us. But...where man errs is thinking that he is greater than his Creator, more important than his Maker.
The Lord hath spoken-- I have nourished and brought up children.
We are God's children. Without God we wouldn't exist at all whatsoever but so many don't believe that. They believe that we are responisible for our own existence. That somehow mysteriously we just were without any real logic as to how we did that- sure there are a lot of strange, unbelievable theories but that's just what they are theories. Nothing could truly explain our existence other than our being created. We were created and our Creator, our Heavenly Father didn't leave us on our own to flounder He brought us up, He raised us with the knowledge of Him and the way of life that would be best for us.
What did His children do as He sought to nourish them and bring them up in the best way? They rebelled against Him.
The arrogance of man is unbelievable. Self is predominent and what we call independance, wanting to do for ourselves, is truly like a young child wanting to feed themselves, wanting to make their own way. A young child needs a caregiver. A young child might think they know what's best for them, but in truth they don't. A young child will jump into deep water not even realizing they can't swim and they drown. A young child will reach into the pretty fire not realize it will burn them. We are children of God and our wisdom, our knowledge is nothing compared to that of our Heavenly Father and yet we want to think we know it all.
We rebel.
We sin.
We turn to ourselves and our evil ways, our corrupt ways.
We forsake the Lord, we anger Him, we go backwards not forwards.
Seriously.
Today people are no different than the people of thousands of year ago. If anything even more so, people try to use science and popular theory to explain our existent, they don't want to answer to a Creator, to a Heavenly Father. They are rebellious.
It is my prayer that we all understand that we are children of the Lord. Children! We do have a heavenly Father we have to answer to. A heavenly Father who cares for us, His children and love us as only a parent can love a child.
By the mercy and grace of our Lord and our Savior may our hearts be made clean in Him, may our lives become lives of obedience to the Heavenly Father whose love for us knows no bounds.
Amen.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Hebrews 13
{13:1} Let brotherly love continue.
{13:2} Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
{13:3} Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; [and] them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
{13:4} Marriage [is] honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
{13:5} [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
{13:6} So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
{13:7} 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.
{13:8} Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
{13:9} Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For [it is] a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
{13:10} We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
{13:11} For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
{13:12} Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
{13:13} Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
{13:14} For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
{13:15} By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name.
{13:16} But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
{13:17} Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you.
{13:18} Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
{13:19} But I beseech [you] the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
{13:20} Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting
covenant
{13:21} Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.
{13:22} And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.
{13:23} Know ye that [our] brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
{13:24} Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
Brotherly love.
Entertain strangers.
Remember them in bonds.
Without covetousness.
Be content.
Never leave nor forsake us.
The Lord is our helper.
Not fear what man shall do.
Remember those who know more, who have spoken the word of God.
Follow faith.
Listen to what they say.
Don't be carried away with strange doctrines.
Hearts established with grace.
Go with Jesus.
We seek a city to come.
Offer praise to God continually.
Give thanks to His name.
Do good.
Communicate.
Forget not.
Obey them that rule over you.
Submit yourself.
Pray.
Have a good conscience.
Live honestly.
God of peace, the great shepherd, blood of the everlasting covenant.
Made perfect in every good work.
Do His will.
Through Jesus.
Suffer the word of exhortation.
If you think as Christians we are to do nothing...read the Bible.
Study the word of God.
The word of God is filled with exhortations for us as followers of Christ to do things.
People get frustrated because the why do live as Jesus would have them live and yet they do none of the things He tells them they should do, why is that?
We need our hearts established with grace.
We need to offer praise to God continually.
We need to give thanks to God.
Live honestly.
We need the God of peace in our lives.
We need to do His will- not ours.
Yes, it may mean suffering but if it does we know this- 'For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come'.
May God be with us, in our lives now and forever and ever.
If our lives seem empty we can fill them with the things Jesus would have us to do. Things we are exhorted to do.
Because we are saved by the grace and mercy, the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior we can live for Him. We mustn't forget the living for Him part once we are saved and continually seek forgiveness from our Savior. Our lives have to be wrapped up in His. We need to know Him and He needs to know us.
By the will of our Lord now and forever.
Amen.
{13:2} Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
{13:3} Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; [and] them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
{13:4} Marriage [is] honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
{13:5} [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
{13:6} So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
{13:7} 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.
{13:8} Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
{13:9} Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For [it is] a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
{13:10} We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
{13:11} For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
{13:12} Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
{13:13} Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
{13:14} For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
{13:15} By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name.
{13:16} But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
{13:17} Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you.
{13:18} Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
{13:19} But I beseech [you] the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
{13:20} Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting
covenant
{13:21} Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.
{13:22} And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.
{13:23} Know ye that [our] brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
{13:24} Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
Brotherly love.
Entertain strangers.
Remember them in bonds.
Without covetousness.
Be content.
Never leave nor forsake us.
The Lord is our helper.
Not fear what man shall do.
Remember those who know more, who have spoken the word of God.
Follow faith.
Listen to what they say.
Don't be carried away with strange doctrines.
Hearts established with grace.
Go with Jesus.
We seek a city to come.
Offer praise to God continually.
Give thanks to His name.
Do good.
Communicate.
Forget not.
Obey them that rule over you.
Submit yourself.
Pray.
Have a good conscience.
Live honestly.
God of peace, the great shepherd, blood of the everlasting covenant.
Made perfect in every good work.
Do His will.
Through Jesus.
Suffer the word of exhortation.
If you think as Christians we are to do nothing...read the Bible.
Study the word of God.
The word of God is filled with exhortations for us as followers of Christ to do things.
People get frustrated because the why do live as Jesus would have them live and yet they do none of the things He tells them they should do, why is that?
We need our hearts established with grace.
We need to offer praise to God continually.
We need to give thanks to God.
Live honestly.
We need the God of peace in our lives.
We need to do His will- not ours.
Yes, it may mean suffering but if it does we know this- 'For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come'.
May God be with us, in our lives now and forever and ever.
If our lives seem empty we can fill them with the things Jesus would have us to do. Things we are exhorted to do.
Because we are saved by the grace and mercy, the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior we can live for Him. We mustn't forget the living for Him part once we are saved and continually seek forgiveness from our Savior. Our lives have to be wrapped up in His. We need to know Him and He needs to know us.
By the will of our Lord now and forever.
Amen.
Hebrews 13
{13:1} Let brotherly love continue.
{13:2} Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
{13:3} Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; [and] them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
{13:4} Marriage [is] honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
{13:5} [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
{13:6} So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
{13:7} 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.
{13:8} Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
{13:9} Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For [it is] a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
{13:10} We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
{13:11} For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
{13:12} Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
{13:13} Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
{13:14} For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
{13:15} By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name.
{13:16} But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
{13:17} Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you.
{13:18} Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
{13:19} But I beseech [you] the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
{13:20} Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting
covenant
{13:21} Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.
{13:22} And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.
{13:23} Know ye that [our] brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
{13:24} Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
Brotherly love.
Entertain strangers.
Remember them in bonds.
Without covetousness.
Be content.
Never leave nor forsake us.
The Lord is our helper.
Not fear what man shall do.
Remember those who know more, who have spoken the word of God.
Follow faith.
Listen to what they say.
Don't be carried away with strange doctrines.
Hearts established with grace.
Go with Jesus.
We seek a city to come.
Offer praise to God continually.
Give thanks to His name.
Do good.
Communicate.
Forget not.
Obey them that rule over you.
Submit yourself.
Pray.
Have a good conscience.
Live honestly.
God of peace, the great shepherd, blood of the everlasting covenant.
Made perfect in every good work.
Do His will.
Through Jesus.
Suffer the word of exhortation.
If you think as Christians we are to do nothing...read the Bible.
Study the word of God.
The word of God is filled with exhortations for us as followers of Christ to do things.
People get frustrated because the why do live as Jesus would have them live and yet they do none of the things He tells them they should do, why is that?
We need our hearts established with grace.
We need to offer praise to God continually.
We need to give thanks to God.
Live honestly.
We need the God of peace in our lives.
We need to do His will- not ours.
Yes, it may mean suffering but if it does we know this- 'For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come'.
May God be with us, in our lives now and forever and ever.
If our lives seem empty we can fill them with the things Jesus would have us to do. Things we are exhorted to do.
Because we are saved by the grace and mercy, the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior we can live for Him. We mustn't forget the living for Him part once we are saved and continually seek forgiveness from our Savior. Our lives have to be wrapped up in His. We need to know Him and He needs to know us.
By the will of our Lord now and forever.
Amen.
{13:2} Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
{13:3} Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; [and] them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
{13:4} Marriage [is] honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
{13:5} [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
{13:6} So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
{13:7} 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.
{13:8} Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
{13:9} Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For [it is] a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
{13:10} We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
{13:11} For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
{13:12} Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
{13:13} Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
{13:14} For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
{13:15} By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name.
{13:16} But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
{13:17} Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you.
{13:18} Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
{13:19} But I beseech [you] the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
{13:20} Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting
covenant
{13:21} Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.
{13:22} And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.
{13:23} Know ye that [our] brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
{13:24} Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
Brotherly love.
Entertain strangers.
Remember them in bonds.
Without covetousness.
Be content.
Never leave nor forsake us.
The Lord is our helper.
Not fear what man shall do.
Remember those who know more, who have spoken the word of God.
Follow faith.
Listen to what they say.
Don't be carried away with strange doctrines.
Hearts established with grace.
Go with Jesus.
We seek a city to come.
Offer praise to God continually.
Give thanks to His name.
Do good.
Communicate.
Forget not.
Obey them that rule over you.
Submit yourself.
Pray.
Have a good conscience.
Live honestly.
God of peace, the great shepherd, blood of the everlasting covenant.
Made perfect in every good work.
Do His will.
Through Jesus.
Suffer the word of exhortation.
If you think as Christians we are to do nothing...read the Bible.
Study the word of God.
The word of God is filled with exhortations for us as followers of Christ to do things.
People get frustrated because the why do live as Jesus would have them live and yet they do none of the things He tells them they should do, why is that?
We need our hearts established with grace.
We need to offer praise to God continually.
We need to give thanks to God.
Live honestly.
We need the God of peace in our lives.
We need to do His will- not ours.
Yes, it may mean suffering but if it does we know this- 'For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come'.
May God be with us, in our lives now and forever and ever.
If our lives seem empty we can fill them with the things Jesus would have us to do. Things we are exhorted to do.
Because we are saved by the grace and mercy, the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior we can live for Him. We mustn't forget the living for Him part once we are saved and continually seek forgiveness from our Savior. Our lives have to be wrapped up in His. We need to know Him and He needs to know us.
By the will of our Lord now and forever.
Amen.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Hebrews 12 C
{12:12} Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees
{12:13} And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
{12:14} Follow peace with all [men,] and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord
{12:15} Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
{12:16} Lest there [be] any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
{12:17} For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
{12:18} For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest
{12:19} And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; [which] voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: {12:20} (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart
{12:21} And so terrible was the sight, [that] Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
{12:22} But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels
{12:23} To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, {12:24} And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel.
{12:25} See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more [shall not] we [escape,] if we turn away from him that [speaketh] from heaven
{12:26} Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
{12:27} And this [word,] Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
{12:28} Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: {12:29} For our God [is] a consuming fire.
*
Hebrews
{12:15} Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled
Failing of the grace of God.
But... haven't we been told that it is by grace we are saved through faith?
Don't we believe that it is by grace alone we are saved?
Haven't we been taught that we have grace just by saying we have grace, believing we have the grace of Jesus?
How can we 'fail of the grace of God'?
Surely we need to understand this because we don't want to 'fail of the grace of God'. Isn't that like hearing Jesus say in that day- get away from me, I never knew you? Even though people are crying out to Him as if they honestly believe they are His?
Matthew {7:21} Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall
enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will
of my Father which is in heaven. {7:22} Many will say to
me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy
name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy
name done many wonderful works? {7:23} And then will I
profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye
that work iniquity.
Certainly if we fail of the grace of God we'd be among those wouldn't we? Simply because we are taught that it's impossible to fail of the grace of God. Taught falsely that our actions mean nothing. Taught that if we have any action of our own and think we are saved by it we are wrong. Over and over in the Bible people are told of God's covenant and how they should obey it to be God's people. Obeying is an action that results in God's favor, disobeying His disfavor. Jesus doesn't do away with the fact we need to obey God, He even says he didn't come to do away, but to fulfill. If Jesus would have us live with Him as our example then we will obey. The only way it's possible is by His grace. He makes it possible through His mercy. His mercy doesn't absolve us of consequences of our actions. If we're taught that no matter how we live- even if we live in complete and utter sinfilled ways- that we can obtain grace while we continue living that way not availing ourselves of the mercy of Christ to walk in His way, then we won't have the grace of God- we will fail of the grace of God, we will be among those who cry out to Jesus and we will hear Him say- 'I never knew you depart from me ye that work sin'.
Hebrews
{12:15} Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled
Dict.bitter (bît´er) adjective
bitterer, bitterest
1. Having or being a taste that is sharp, acrid, and unpleasant.
2. Causing a sharply unpleasant, painful, or stinging sensation; harsh: enveloped in bitter cold; a bitter wind.
3. Difficult or distasteful to accept, admit, or bear: the bitter truth; bitter sorrow.
4. Proceeding from or exhibiting strong animosity: a bitter struggle; bitter foes.
5. Resulting from or expressive of severe grief, anguish, or disappointment: cried bitter tears.
6. Marked by resentment or cynicism
Excerpted from The American Heritage Dictionary
Duet.
{29:18} Lest there should be among
you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth
away this day from the LORD our God, to go [and] serve
the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a
root that beareth gall and wormwood;
A root brings forth life in tiny shoots. A root bears those shoots, without the root the shoots would not grow. Root of bitterness, root that beareth gall and wormwood.
Are we the root and our actions the tiny shoots?
Duet. {29:18} Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go [and] serve
the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood; {29:19} And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: {29:20} The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.
Actions such as ... doing as we please regardless of how we are taught in Christ and believing we are still with Christ.
Hebrews {12:12} Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees
{12:13} And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
{12:14} Follow peace with all [men,] and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord
{12:15} Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
{12:16} Lest there [be] any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
{12:17} For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
Lift up our hands and knees- make straight paths for our feet- be healed.
Follow peace with ALL men.
Holiness with ALL men.
Without this peace and holiness we will NOT see the Lord.
Looking diligently!
Watching out for anything that will hinder our walks with Christ!
Matthew {26:41}
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit
indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak.
Mark {13:33} Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye
know not when the time is.
We have to look diligently lest we fail of the grace of God.
We have to examine our lives and see if we are defiled by the actions of our heart. Truly if our heart is the root and our lives the shoot that springs up, we need to look diligently at our lives- our actions that make up our lives and pray that anything we do that would defile us, any sin that we cherish, any action that we know Jesus would not have us commit is done away with. If we holdfast to our sinfilled ways choosing like Esau to live for the moment of pleasure and self-satisfaction, we too will be seeking repentance with tears and we won't find it- we too will fail of the grace of God.
Follow peace with all and holiness.
Peace and holiness found in Christ Jesus and necessary to us because without the peace and holiness of Chirst in us, living is us and controlling our actions, we will not the Lord.
Where do our actions stem from?
Where do our lives get the motives for those actions?
Oh wretched man that I am...who will deliver me... Christ Jesus.
Deliver us Jesus. Deliver us from the insidious evil that would have us live our lives with excuse after excuse for our ungodly behavior. Deliver us from the root of bitterness.
We don't want to fail you, we don't want to fail of the grace of God.
Have mercy on us Lord.
Through the mercy and grace of the Sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ now and forever.
Amen.
{12:13} And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
{12:14} Follow peace with all [men,] and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord
{12:15} Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
{12:16} Lest there [be] any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
{12:17} For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
{12:18} For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest
{12:19} And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; [which] voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: {12:20} (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart
{12:21} And so terrible was the sight, [that] Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
{12:22} But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels
{12:23} To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, {12:24} And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel.
{12:25} See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more [shall not] we [escape,] if we turn away from him that [speaketh] from heaven
{12:26} Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
{12:27} And this [word,] Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
{12:28} Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: {12:29} For our God [is] a consuming fire.
*
Hebrews
{12:15} Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled
Failing of the grace of God.
But... haven't we been told that it is by grace we are saved through faith?
Don't we believe that it is by grace alone we are saved?
Haven't we been taught that we have grace just by saying we have grace, believing we have the grace of Jesus?
How can we 'fail of the grace of God'?
Surely we need to understand this because we don't want to 'fail of the grace of God'. Isn't that like hearing Jesus say in that day- get away from me, I never knew you? Even though people are crying out to Him as if they honestly believe they are His?
Matthew {7:21} Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall
enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will
of my Father which is in heaven. {7:22} Many will say to
me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy
name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy
name done many wonderful works? {7:23} And then will I
profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye
that work iniquity.
Certainly if we fail of the grace of God we'd be among those wouldn't we? Simply because we are taught that it's impossible to fail of the grace of God. Taught falsely that our actions mean nothing. Taught that if we have any action of our own and think we are saved by it we are wrong. Over and over in the Bible people are told of God's covenant and how they should obey it to be God's people. Obeying is an action that results in God's favor, disobeying His disfavor. Jesus doesn't do away with the fact we need to obey God, He even says he didn't come to do away, but to fulfill. If Jesus would have us live with Him as our example then we will obey. The only way it's possible is by His grace. He makes it possible through His mercy. His mercy doesn't absolve us of consequences of our actions. If we're taught that no matter how we live- even if we live in complete and utter sinfilled ways- that we can obtain grace while we continue living that way not availing ourselves of the mercy of Christ to walk in His way, then we won't have the grace of God- we will fail of the grace of God, we will be among those who cry out to Jesus and we will hear Him say- 'I never knew you depart from me ye that work sin'.
Hebrews
{12:15} Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled
Dict.bitter (bît´er) adjective
bitterer, bitterest
1. Having or being a taste that is sharp, acrid, and unpleasant.
2. Causing a sharply unpleasant, painful, or stinging sensation; harsh: enveloped in bitter cold; a bitter wind.
3. Difficult or distasteful to accept, admit, or bear: the bitter truth; bitter sorrow.
4. Proceeding from or exhibiting strong animosity: a bitter struggle; bitter foes.
5. Resulting from or expressive of severe grief, anguish, or disappointment: cried bitter tears.
6. Marked by resentment or cynicism
Excerpted from The American Heritage Dictionary
Duet.
{29:18} Lest there should be among
you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth
away this day from the LORD our God, to go [and] serve
the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a
root that beareth gall and wormwood;
A root brings forth life in tiny shoots. A root bears those shoots, without the root the shoots would not grow. Root of bitterness, root that beareth gall and wormwood.
Are we the root and our actions the tiny shoots?
Duet. {29:18} Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go [and] serve
the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood; {29:19} And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: {29:20} The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.
Actions such as ... doing as we please regardless of how we are taught in Christ and believing we are still with Christ.
Hebrews {12:12} Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees
{12:13} And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
{12:14} Follow peace with all [men,] and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord
{12:15} Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
{12:16} Lest there [be] any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
{12:17} For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
Lift up our hands and knees- make straight paths for our feet- be healed.
Follow peace with ALL men.
Holiness with ALL men.
Without this peace and holiness we will NOT see the Lord.
Looking diligently!
Watching out for anything that will hinder our walks with Christ!
Matthew {26:41}
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit
indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak.
Mark {13:33} Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye
know not when the time is.
We have to look diligently lest we fail of the grace of God.
We have to examine our lives and see if we are defiled by the actions of our heart. Truly if our heart is the root and our lives the shoot that springs up, we need to look diligently at our lives- our actions that make up our lives and pray that anything we do that would defile us, any sin that we cherish, any action that we know Jesus would not have us commit is done away with. If we holdfast to our sinfilled ways choosing like Esau to live for the moment of pleasure and self-satisfaction, we too will be seeking repentance with tears and we won't find it- we too will fail of the grace of God.
Follow peace with all and holiness.
Peace and holiness found in Christ Jesus and necessary to us because without the peace and holiness of Chirst in us, living is us and controlling our actions, we will not the Lord.
Where do our actions stem from?
Where do our lives get the motives for those actions?
Oh wretched man that I am...who will deliver me... Christ Jesus.
Deliver us Jesus. Deliver us from the insidious evil that would have us live our lives with excuse after excuse for our ungodly behavior. Deliver us from the root of bitterness.
We don't want to fail you, we don't want to fail of the grace of God.
Have mercy on us Lord.
Through the mercy and grace of the Sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ now and forever.
Amen.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Hebrews 12 B
{12:5} And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the
chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him
{12:6} For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
{12:7} If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
{12:8} But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
{12:9} Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected [us,] and we gave [them] reverence: shall we not
much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
{12:10} For they verily for a few days chastened [us] after their own pleasure; but he for [our] profit, that [we] might be
partakers of his holiness. {12:11} Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless
afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
For whom the Lord loveth he—
Chastens and Scourges.
EVERY son he receives.
Dict. chasten (châ´sen) verb, transitive
chastened, chastening, chastens
1. To correct by punishment or reproof; take to task.
2. To restrain; subdue: chasten a proud spirit.
3. To rid of excess; refine or purify
scourge (skûrj) noun
1. A source of widespread, dreadful affliction and devastation such as that caused by pestilence or war.
2. A means of inflicting severe suffering, vengeance, or punishment.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary
*
If you feel as if you're being knocked about by life, when you want to cry out-- why God, why me, why this, haven't
I endured enough, I can't take it any more, don't be surprised.
Every son of God's is chastened and scourged, every son. You can't get away from it.
People go to God for comfort- God will help you, comfort you, ease you. It's this image of God as all loving that
leads us to forget that a Father, a good Father chastens his children. We are forever God's children and we will need
chastening. We need to realize that our sins need to be forsaken- we need to resist unto blood- that's a lot of resisting.
We have to realize that while resisting our sins unto blood will not save us, that only the grace and mercy of God
saves us, we have to set aside those sins that beset us and we are chastened to do so.
No one will ever obtain a stature, a position in life, that will allow them to do as they please without consequences.
You might think oh- kings, queens, rulers, dictators, so on and so forth but that's not true- every person has to answer
for their actions. Some might think they don't, they'll live their lives as if they don't, but they do. If we have to answer
to each other for our actions how much more do we answer to our Creator and Savior?
Once we are convicted of something we are accountable for that something. People who are given titles such as
doctor, lawyer, teacher, are very excited upon receiving their degrees- their titles. Does receiving that title change
anything? Are they no longer accountable to know how to heal, to defend, to teach? No, they are expected to know
exactly what their title claims. They are expected to be well learned doctors, lawyers, and teachers. They are expected
to keep up with the advances in society in order to remain well learned and to live up to their titles.
Why is it then that when some Christians accept Christ and are 'saved', do they believe they are no longer
accountable for their actions? That automatically they are forgiven whatever they do? Yes, we are forgiven is we ask
for forgiveness, but being a Christian isn't a license to sin. It isn't a get in free card that you flash each time you sin
and go on to the next sin happily because you can flash that card. If anything being a Christian and knowing that we
are forgiven because of Christ's sacrifice, that He suffered for our sins, should have us striving not to sin- not because
it will save us, but because sin separates us from God and the last thing any Christian should want is to be separated
from the God who can save them, who loves them with a love beyond our comprehension.
Don't get caught in the trap that you don't have to resist sin unto blood- that you don't have be chastened and shown
your wrong ways, that you won't be scourged or punished in various ways throughout your life. Don't believe that
God has left you when you are suffering at your worst, don't believe that this world will be all fun and games, all light
and happiness, it's not. Only our life in Christ can bring us happiness and NOTHING can take Christ from us unless
we allow it to happen, nothing.
Remember--
{12:5} And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the
chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him
{12:6} For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
{12:7} If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
{12:8} But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
{12:9} Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected [us,] and we gave [them] reverence: shall we not
much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
{12:10} For they verily for a few days chastened [us] after their own pleasure; but he for [our] profit, that [we] might be
partakers of his holiness. {12:11} Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless
afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
By His mercy and grace now and forever in Jesus we ask that we remember and take heart, that we can endure till
the end in His righteousness.
Amen.
chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him
{12:6} For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
{12:7} If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
{12:8} But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
{12:9} Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected [us,] and we gave [them] reverence: shall we not
much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
{12:10} For they verily for a few days chastened [us] after their own pleasure; but he for [our] profit, that [we] might be
partakers of his holiness. {12:11} Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless
afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
For whom the Lord loveth he—
Chastens and Scourges.
EVERY son he receives.
Dict. chasten (châ´sen) verb, transitive
chastened, chastening, chastens
1. To correct by punishment or reproof; take to task.
2. To restrain; subdue: chasten a proud spirit.
3. To rid of excess; refine or purify
scourge (skûrj) noun
1. A source of widespread, dreadful affliction and devastation such as that caused by pestilence or war.
2. A means of inflicting severe suffering, vengeance, or punishment.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary
*
If you feel as if you're being knocked about by life, when you want to cry out-- why God, why me, why this, haven't
I endured enough, I can't take it any more, don't be surprised.
Every son of God's is chastened and scourged, every son. You can't get away from it.
People go to God for comfort- God will help you, comfort you, ease you. It's this image of God as all loving that
leads us to forget that a Father, a good Father chastens his children. We are forever God's children and we will need
chastening. We need to realize that our sins need to be forsaken- we need to resist unto blood- that's a lot of resisting.
We have to realize that while resisting our sins unto blood will not save us, that only the grace and mercy of God
saves us, we have to set aside those sins that beset us and we are chastened to do so.
No one will ever obtain a stature, a position in life, that will allow them to do as they please without consequences.
You might think oh- kings, queens, rulers, dictators, so on and so forth but that's not true- every person has to answer
for their actions. Some might think they don't, they'll live their lives as if they don't, but they do. If we have to answer
to each other for our actions how much more do we answer to our Creator and Savior?
Once we are convicted of something we are accountable for that something. People who are given titles such as
doctor, lawyer, teacher, are very excited upon receiving their degrees- their titles. Does receiving that title change
anything? Are they no longer accountable to know how to heal, to defend, to teach? No, they are expected to know
exactly what their title claims. They are expected to be well learned doctors, lawyers, and teachers. They are expected
to keep up with the advances in society in order to remain well learned and to live up to their titles.
Why is it then that when some Christians accept Christ and are 'saved', do they believe they are no longer
accountable for their actions? That automatically they are forgiven whatever they do? Yes, we are forgiven is we ask
for forgiveness, but being a Christian isn't a license to sin. It isn't a get in free card that you flash each time you sin
and go on to the next sin happily because you can flash that card. If anything being a Christian and knowing that we
are forgiven because of Christ's sacrifice, that He suffered for our sins, should have us striving not to sin- not because
it will save us, but because sin separates us from God and the last thing any Christian should want is to be separated
from the God who can save them, who loves them with a love beyond our comprehension.
Don't get caught in the trap that you don't have to resist sin unto blood- that you don't have be chastened and shown
your wrong ways, that you won't be scourged or punished in various ways throughout your life. Don't believe that
God has left you when you are suffering at your worst, don't believe that this world will be all fun and games, all light
and happiness, it's not. Only our life in Christ can bring us happiness and NOTHING can take Christ from us unless
we allow it to happen, nothing.
Remember--
{12:5} And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the
chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him
{12:6} For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
{12:7} If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
{12:8} But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
{12:9} Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected [us,] and we gave [them] reverence: shall we not
much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
{12:10} For they verily for a few days chastened [us] after their own pleasure; but he for [our] profit, that [we] might be
partakers of his holiness. {12:11} Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless
afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
By His mercy and grace now and forever in Jesus we ask that we remember and take heart, that we can endure till
the end in His righteousness.
Amen.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Hebrews 12 A
Hebrews
{12:1} Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us
{12:2} Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
{12:3} For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
{12:4} Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Jesus is our example.
Jesus is the author and the finisher of our faith.
Jesus is our High Priest.
Jesus is our advocate.
Jesus endured so much when He didn't have to endure anything at all. No one forced Him.
Jesus suffered.
Why do we think we shouldn't have to suffer?
Why?
We do think that. We do.
We hate suffering and would do anything to not suffer. We sell our souls so to speak so we don't suffer.
Anything we cry out, anything so the pain goes away.
The trouble is that anything so we don't have to suffer is often too much and because we'd rather not suffer at all.
Christ didn't want to suffer, but he chose to because it was the only way He could obtain salvation for us.
If He being innocent suffered so much greater than we ever could even in the most horrific of ways, we who are guilty at least deserve our punishments, our suffering. Even if we think we don't, even if we think we are *good* people, undeserving of any suffering, in truth we're not. We're guilty sinners and we need to recognize that and understand that any suffering we are asked to endure now is nothing compared to the suffering of the Innocent One.
If our Savior suffered, we will suffer.
Sin, any sin we cherish we will have to suffer to lay aside and if we think for some unknown reason that we don't have to suffer, that we shouldn't have to give up any sins, well, just read this again--
Hebrews
{12:1} Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us
{12:2} Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
{12:3} For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
{12:4} Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
May the Lord bless and keep us by His mercy and grace, helping us to realize that we need to set aside ANYTHING that would keep us from following Him, anything.
In His Name now and forever.
Amen.
{12:1} Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us
{12:2} Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
{12:3} For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
{12:4} Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Jesus is our example.
Jesus is the author and the finisher of our faith.
Jesus is our High Priest.
Jesus is our advocate.
Jesus endured so much when He didn't have to endure anything at all. No one forced Him.
Jesus suffered.
Why do we think we shouldn't have to suffer?
Why?
We do think that. We do.
We hate suffering and would do anything to not suffer. We sell our souls so to speak so we don't suffer.
Anything we cry out, anything so the pain goes away.
The trouble is that anything so we don't have to suffer is often too much and because we'd rather not suffer at all.
Christ didn't want to suffer, but he chose to because it was the only way He could obtain salvation for us.
If He being innocent suffered so much greater than we ever could even in the most horrific of ways, we who are guilty at least deserve our punishments, our suffering. Even if we think we don't, even if we think we are *good* people, undeserving of any suffering, in truth we're not. We're guilty sinners and we need to recognize that and understand that any suffering we are asked to endure now is nothing compared to the suffering of the Innocent One.
If our Savior suffered, we will suffer.
Sin, any sin we cherish we will have to suffer to lay aside and if we think for some unknown reason that we don't have to suffer, that we shouldn't have to give up any sins, well, just read this again--
Hebrews
{12:1} Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us
{12:2} Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
{12:3} For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
{12:4} Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
May the Lord bless and keep us by His mercy and grace, helping us to realize that we need to set aside ANYTHING that would keep us from following Him, anything.
In His Name now and forever.
Amen.
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