Encouraging Each Other

Encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:25

Most Christians agree that "the day [is] drawing near." Signs of the end times abound around us. This world is not turning into a better place. So, what are we doing about it? Are we complaining about politicians and taxes? What we really should be doing is encouraging each other. We should be building each other up, and helping those who are stumbling. We should be working together to remain strong in these difficult times. We are on God's side, and we are assured that He will win. Even though evil and darkness are becoming more powerful all time, this is only short lived. God uses the evil people in the world to fulfill His purposes. He cannot be thwarted! We cannot lose if we remain true to God.

Lord, help us to be encouraging each other. Help us not to be consumed by bickering, whining or complaining. Thank You that we can have absolute assurance that Your kingdom will prevail. Help us to trust You no matter how difficult times are. Help us to trust Your plan even we can can't see or understand it. Thank You for how much You love and care for us. Thank You for Your protection from evil. We praise You for Your absolute power and for the victory You've already won.

Heaven Itself

For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;
Hebrews 9:24

In this chapter, the writer was explaining how much better Christ's redemption was the the redemption in the Old Testament by the blood of animals. In the concluding verses, he tells us how Christ enters into heaven to represent us before God. How wonderful! What a blessing! Christ has gone into heaven to intercede for us. What amazing love. Not only did He give His life to save us, but also He intercedes for us and watches us.

Jesus, I thank You or dying to make atonement, for being the perfect Sacrifice for us. Thank You that You've entered into heaven. Thank You that we can join You there at the end of life.

The Spiritual Battle

http://shalombiblefellowship.org/messages/?download&file_name=2013-09-29-SBF%20180.mp3

He Saves Us Forever

Jesus, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:24-25

Jesus is our High Priest forever. He has made atonement for our sins once and for all. He is perfect. He didn't offer a sacrifice. He gave Himself as a sacrifice because He loves us and wants to rescue us from our sin. Now He is in heaven interceding for us. What an amazing Saviour!

Thank You, Jesus, for being my perfect High Priest. Thank You for saving me. Thank You that you never sleep, you never fail and you never stop loving us. I want to give life back in gratefulness to You.

You Ought to Be Teachers

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
Hebrews 5:12-14

Do I have this problem that he's speaking of here? Would I rather relax and listen to a "feel good" sermon than speak about my faith. Listening and learning are very important. We may never stop learning. Yet, when God wants us to speak but we are content to listen, we are like big babies that never grew up. We need to be moving forward and making progress in our spiritual lives.

Lord, help me to grow in my Christian life as You want me to. Help me not to get stuck and the simple and easy. Instead, I want to grow to be more like You. I want to follow Your plan. I want to mature and learn to discern good and evil. I want to live my life for Your glory.

Dealing Gently

He [a high priest] can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is beset with weakness;
Hebrews 5:2

God calls us to deal gently with the ignorant and misguided. These people need gentle guidance and teaching. They are not deliberately doing wrong. They simply don't understand. It's sometimes easy to be harsh or reproving. Yet, God wants us to lead them kindly. Jesus is a good example of this. He was very kind to those who were seeking. Yet, He very harshly reproved those who were knowingly going against what they knew.

This is also a challenge for us to follow the knowledge we have. God will honor us when we obey what we know, but He will judge us for turning against the truth we know. We have had much teaching about God and the Bible. So, we are very responsible.

Lord, help me to be gentle with those who are ignorant. Help me to be willing to speak against those who have turned against the truth they know. Give me wisdom to know that difference. Help me to know how best to reach all those around me for You.

Someone is Watching You

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
Hebrews 4:13

If you were concerned that the NSA is watching you, God knows way more about you! There is nothing hidden from him. Everything is open: not only what we do but also what we think. He understands our motives and desires. Yet, if we have a relationship with Him, this is a comfort. He knows us intimately. He made us. He loves us and wants the best for us. He protects us and cares about us. He knows the future. So, having a benevolent God watching us is a blessing.

Thank You, God, for watching and knowing everything. Thank You that we can trust You unconditionally. We know that Your kingdom of truth will win and we are on Your side. I trust You completely with me life. Help me to surrender every part of it to You.