By Faith, From God

Hebrews 11
By Faith
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, 'Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.' He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as if on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets-- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated-- of whom the world was not worthy--wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Vs. 6 "And without Faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."

Vs. 1-3 "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible."

God is amazing! He comes to us, reveals Himself, and enables us to seek after Him. He gives us faith, which is assurance and convictions of things hoped for and unseen. It all comes from God and allows us to have just the smallest idea of what life is all about. Only through Him can we understand that He created the world with words! It is all about His Glory, and He has offered to share it with us for all eternity, if we give it to Him on earth.

Vs. 13-17 "These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city."

Vs. 24-26 "By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward."

We are not at home here on earth. We are given every opportunity to make it our home and fill it with stuff (technical term)! But, in the end, everything is going to burn. That is, every earthly thing. Our home is heaven and the treasures that we store-up there, fire can never damage. Moses knew this and looked for his reward from God.

Father, please make me a man not of this world! Allow me to seek only you and your kingdom. You have saved me, You have redeemed me. Please help me to live this life you have given me soley (souly) for You and Your Glory! Amen.

In Christ,

David

Thank You

Hebrews 10:19-39
The Full Assurance of Faith
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay.' And again, 'The Lord will judge his people.' It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, 'Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.' But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls."

The verse that really gets me here is Vs. 26-27 "For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries."

This has some amazing stuff hidden in there!
1. We receive the knowledge of the truth.
2. If we deliberately sin after receiving this knowledge, there is no longer a sacrifice for sins.
3. Instead of a sacrifice, now there is judgment.

1. We receive the knowledge of the truth.
How do we receive this truth? Some say at Baptism, others through praying a prayer, still others through preaching the Word.
Lets use an analogy to look at these different views:
A person is drowning in the ocean, and a ship comes alongside to rescue that person.
Praying a prayer: Says that the ship throws a life ring on a string (rhyme) to the person and all they have to do is grab a hold.
Preaching: says the same thing....and can even be combined with the prayer.
Baptism: says that the person already has the life ring and just needs to trust it.

But I think that there is a different way to look at it. The way God may see it.
The Bible says that we are dead in our transgressions. We are at the bottom of the ocean, dead! So how are we saved, if we are already dead? This is the true miracle! Christ dives into the water and pulls us up, regenerates us and saves us.
I believe that the responses above (Baptism, prayer, and preaching) are all our responses to the miracle that God has performed in us.

We can do nothing apart from God! He created us, everything comes from Him. He is our source of everything! I can do nothing apart from Him, who gives me strength.

All that I do, is a response to God and what He has done for me!

2. Deliberately sinning.
If we understand what God has done for us. That we have tried in our pride (rhyme) to take His place. And that this is sin, and a just God requires punishment for sin. Also, that this required punishment, He Himself fulfilled, by becoming flesh and blood and remaining pure and holy and then suffering to the point of death. Yet we continue to live in sin, this sacrifice, means nothing! It has been rejected by the recipient and therefore cannot be accepted by God as payment.

3. Now Judgement.
The person who has rejected the help of God to pay the price for their sins, now must stand in judgment on his own accord. And take the penalty for his sins.

The toughest part of this for me to grasp has been this:
God has written the names of His people in the book of life. This was done before the foundations of the earth! This means that there is nothing we (humans) can do, to help someone who's name is not written in the book of life! We can baptize them, pray with and for them, and explain the gospel to them as much as we like, but it wont change the fact that their name is not in the book of life.
Only God, can change their heart!
He has given us a mission, and that is to spread the Good News! We will find some of His children and be vessels that He will use to dive to the depths and bring them to life, and we will also be met with opposition from the enemy. But, we cannot ignore the mission that He has given.

God is the creator, everything I do is in response to the wonderful gift that He has chosen to bless me with.

"All I can do is say Thank you." Doug Allord

And sometimes All I can do is say, "Thank you."
All I can do is to give myself to you.
All I can do is say, "Thank you."
All I can do is to lay myself down at your feet.
All I can do is say, "Thank you, Lord."

"Gifted Response" Matt Redman

This is a gifted response
Father we cannot come to You by our own merit
We will come in the name of Your son
As He glorifies You
And in the power of Your spirit

This is a gifted response
Father we cannot come to You by our own merit
We will come in the name of Your son
As He glorifies You
And in the power of Your spirit


We have come to something so mysterious
Too deep for minds to comprehend
Through the open door
Where the angels sing
And the host of heaven are antheming...

And we'll sing the glory of Your name
Celebrate the glories of Your grace
We will worship You, We will worship You
And we'll make Your praise so glorious
Singing songs of everlasting praise
We will worship You, we will worship You

In Christ,

David

Once for All

Hebrews 10:1-18
Christ's Sacrifice Once for All
"For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sin? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, 'Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, "Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book."' When he said above, 'You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings' (these are offered according to the law), then he added, 'Behold, I have come to do your will.' He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all. And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 'This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,' then he adds, 'I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.' Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin."

God's law (A Moral Code/Moral Law/Right and Wrong) is written on our hearts. C.S. Lewis explains it wonderfully in Mere Christianity! We as humans cannot help but break that Law, we know that it is there, some call it a conscious. But we all have a sense of it and we all break it from time to time.
Paul says in Romans "All have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God."

It used to be that each year, people would bring animals to the priests to have them sacrificed to forgive them and sanctify them of their sins....not holding to the Laws of God. But now Jesus Christ has come, he died and became that sacrifice! But, the difference was, it was a one time sacrifice. In one death and resurrection, Jesus paid for the sins of every person who would ever walk the face of this planet we call earth! He paid for every sin that would ever be committed! Past sins, Sins of the present, and Future sins, of every one!

John 3:16-18 "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God."

"We Delight" Caedmon's Call

We delight in the law of your Word
We delight in the Son who was perfect from birth
We delight in the day He's returning to earth
Hallelujah

We will bow our hearts because we are free
As we lift our hands to give you glory
Father of life and love and infinite worth
We're delivered by blood that flows from the tree
Draws near to You vessels of Your mercy
Before the invention of man, the glorious Trinity

We delight in the law of your Word
We delight in the Son who was perfect from birth
We delight in the day He's returning to earth
Hallelujah

We will lift our eyes to the cloud and the flame Lord,
You guide our steps and restore us again
The nations of man will rejoice in the God of the wilderness

"Before there was time" Caedmon's Call

Before there was time
There were visions in Your mind
There was death in the fall of mankind
But there was life in salvation's design

Before there were days
There were nights I could not see Your face
But the night could not keep me from grace
When You came and took my place

So I cry holy only begotten Son of God
Ancient of days
I cry holy only begotten Son of God
And sing the praises
Of the One who saved me
And the promises He made

Before there was time
You counted the hairs on my head
You knew all the words I've said
And You purchased me back from the dead

Before I was made
You searched me and knew my ways
You numbered all my days
And You set forth the steps I would take

You saved me; You raised me
You saved me; You pulled me from the grave

So I cry holy only begotten Son of God
Ancient of days
I cry Holy only begotten Son of God
And sing the praises
Of the one who saved me
And the promises He made
Before there was time

Thank you for your precious sacrifice, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In Christ,

David

Nothing but the Blood of Jesus

Hebrews 9:11-28
Redemption Through the Blood of Christ
"But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, 'This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.' And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him."

In Vs. 20 Moses says, 'This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.'

Matthew 26:26-29
Institution of the Lord's Supper
"Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is my body.' And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.'"

Right here Jesus did the same thing that Moses did, he instituted a New Covenant between God and Man. This New Covenant was brought about by His blood which would in a few hours be poured out upon the Cross.

Blood was needed to Seal the Covenant and it needed to come from a Spotless Lamb. The Spotless Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, His blood Sealed the Covenant and He became our High Priest. And as we see in Vs. 23-28 entered into Heaven in the presence of God on our behalf.

"Nothing But the Blood" Matt Redman, Facedown

Your blood speaks a better word
Than all the empty claims I've heard upon this earth
Speaks righteousness for me
And stands in my defense
Jesus it's Your blood

What can wash away our sins?
What can make us whole again?
Nothing but the blood
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can wash us pure as snow?
Welcomed as the friends of God
Nothing but Your blood
Nothing but Your blood King Jesus

Your cross testifies in grace
Tells of the Father's heart to make a way for us
Now boldly we approach
Not by earthly confidence
It's only Your blood

We thank You for the blood
We thank You for the blood
We praise You for the blood
We praise You for the blood
Nothing but Your blood
Nothing but Your blood King Jesus

Thank you King Jesus, thank you for Your Blood.

In Christ,

David

Shadows of what is to come

Hebrews 9:1-10
The Earthly Holy Place
"Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the intentional sins of the people. By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation."

I don't want to say much about this passage. It is a shadow of what is to come! The next passage Hebrews 9:11-28.

But just think for a moment about what the priest does in this passage above. He enters into the Most Holy Place and makes a sacrifice for his sins and the sins of the people. Jesus doesn't need to offer a sacrifice. He himself was that sacrifice as we will here about in more detail in chapter 10.

In Christ,

David

Shadows and Dust

Hebrews 8
Jesus, High Priest of a Better Covenant
"Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, 'See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.' But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. For he finds fault with them when he says: 'Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord:I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, "Know the Lord," for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.' In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away."

We are a part of a New and Better Covenant. One that was established through Jesus Christ.
This new Covenant is that we believe in Jesus Christ. He is our Salvation! His death on the cross, His blood paid the price for our sins. Then He defeated death and was resurrected from the dead to eternal life. He offers this to us if we believe in Him.

A really cool thing. In vs. 5 it says, "They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things."
Almost everything here on earth can fit into this category! Worship on earth is Awesome, but think just how much better it will be in Heaven! Marriage can be Great here, but in Heaven we will be married to God himself!

Through Christ, we get a glimpse of what Heaven will be like! I can't wait!

In Christ,

David

Jesus, The best High Priest

Hebrews 7:11-28
Jesus Compared to Melchizedek
"Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, 'You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.' On the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: 'The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, "You are a priest forever."' This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

This is Great stuff here!!! The Law was given to Moses and the Levites (descendants of Aaron) were to be the priests of Israel. There were many priests because they had mortal lives.
Jesus was a descendant of the tribe a Judah (a prophesy of the Messiah) but was called a priest by God Himself! This was a change in the ranks and the Author of this book states that whenever a change in priests occurred there was also a change in the law! Look at our society today, every time we have a new president, new congress, new judges, we always see changes in our laws! This change in the law was done for our benefit! This is the Grace that we have through Christ Jesus, we are under this new law, not the old law.

God is Just and demands that sin be punished, but our New High Priest, Jesus Christ, paid that price once and for all with his blood. Therefore we draw near to God through him, as he continually makes intercession for us!

The Levitical priests had to make sacrifices on a daily basis to atone for their sins and the sins of others, but Jesus paid the price once and for all! For He is "Holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens." vs. 26

Yet, he also lived in the flesh and has gone through all the temptations that we are hit with everyday! Yet, He can sympathize with us! And He still intercedes for us! All because He Loves us!

Draw near to Him, He will draw near to you!

In Christ,

David

Who is Melchizedek?

Hebrews 7:1-10
The Priestly Order of Melchizedek
"For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever. See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him."

Yeah for a History Lesson!

Genesis 14:17-24
"After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said, 'Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!' And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. And the king of Sodom said to Abram, 'Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.' But Abram said to the king of Sodom, 'I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, "I have made Abram rich." I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.'"

Who is this Melchizedek, King of Salem?
The Genesis text says that he was a priest of God Most High.
He is the King of Righteousness and Peace by the meaning of his name.

There are 3 likely possibilities that many Scholars have come up with.
1. He is Jesus
2. He is Michael the Achangel
3. He was an actual Human, but no one knows his origins

It will be interesting some day to find out. But for our purposes now, the important things to know are:
1. A king without beginning and end --- from Hebrews
2. King of Righteousness and Peace --- from Hebrews
3. Priest of God Most High --- from both Hebrews and Genesis
4. Was given a 10th of everything Abram had won in battle --- from both Hebrews and Genesis

Is this beginning to sound a lot like Jesus?

More on this on Monday!

In Christ,

David

Promises, Promises, Promises!

Hebrews 6:13-20
The Certainty of God's Promise
"For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, 'Surely I will bless you and multiply you.' And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."

This is great!
We have 2 reasons to believe!
1. God promises
2. God gave an oath

We find it easy to believe in other peoples promises and oaths, but how much more should we trust in God's, "it is impossible for God to lie," He is faithful and will fulfill all that He has promised!

In this and through Jesus we have an anchor to the hope that is found only in Jesus Christ!

Everything that God has promised, He will fulfill! He will keep all of His promises!

In Christ,

David

Be on Fire

Hebrews 5:11-6:12
Warning Against Apostasy
"About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they then fall away, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned. Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things- things that belong to salvation. For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."

Apostasy -- the state of having rejected your religious beliefs or your political party or a cause (often in favor of opposing beliefs or causes)

The main thing in this passage is a warning about how we live our lives.

Revelation 3:14-22
"And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. "'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"

If we have tasted of the Lord and His Goodness, let us be on Fire for Him!

Do everything to the Glory of God!

Trying to live a double life will never fulfill, Luke 16:13 "No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."
That last word "money" can be substituted with anything else that isn't God.
Exodus 20:2-3 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me."

Father, Help me everyday to give you my whole life. Help me to make you the priority and give you the Firstfruits of all that I am. Make me to be more like Your Son Jesus. Help me to live a life that Honors You above all else. I can't do anything without You, but I can do everything through Christ Jesus who gives me strength.
Yes Lord, walking in the way of Your Truth, we wait eagerly for You, for Your name and Your renown are the desire of our souls.

In Christ,

David

Kingdom of Heaven

So I saw this movie last night.
It was a good movie about the Crusades, but....

It completely shows how most of the world views Christians!
There were a lot of half truths spoken throughout the film, the biggest one that bothered me for the rest of the night, was that there was only one time that a distinction was made between "Religion" and "Faith". But "Faith" was attributed to what is in your head and heart, instead of Faith in Christ, it was Faith in being a good person.

The whole film focused on two types of Christians, the war mongering? men who only used Christianity for power and land, and then the ones who tried to live the best lives that they could.

This is not what Christianity is about at all!
Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8-10
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

It is all about Christ, nothing more, nothing less!

We are saved by God's Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ, His Death and resurrection! Christ is the sole source of Salvation, it has nothing to do with works or being a good person. But we were created in Jesus to do good works for God's Glory.

Other than getting the whole "Christianity thing" wrong, it was a well done movie!
Also if you take it in the context of the Crusades, where it was all about reclaiming the Holy Land, it was a good movie.
It just upsets me when Good works gets pawned off as a way to Heaven.

Salvation Anointed

Hebrews 4:14-5:10
Jesus the Great High Priest
"Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, 'You are my Son, today I have begotten you'; as he says also in another place, 'You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.' In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek."

This is so great! Jesus can sympathize with our weaknesses. He was fully human and went through and tempted by everything that we are. "Yet without sin", he was also fully God and did not sin! But he can sympathize with what we go through!

Also, He didn't appoint Himself to this position. It was appointed to Him by God the Father. He did what the Father told Him to do including suffering and dyeing on a cross. But for this, He was exulted and made perfect so that He alone would be the source of our eternal salvation.

This is the way God has chosen to reconcile His people to Himself! Through His Son, Jesus Christ!

Again, it's all in the name ----- Jesus (Yehoshua) Christ (Meshiah) --- Salvation Anointed
Jesus Christ is the Anointed One who brings Salvation to the World!

In Christ,

David

It's all in the name!

Jesus Christ

It's all right there!

Jesus -- form of Joshua (Savior)
Hebrew form Yeshua, Yehoshua -- "YAHWEH" (Salvation)
Jesus means Salvation! And in Hebrew it is God's Name!!!

Christ -- Anointed
Hebrew form Meshiah, Messiah -- Anointed

Pslam 45:1-7
"My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever. Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty! In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds! Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; the peoples fall under you. Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;


Hebrew 1:1-9
"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, 'You are my Son, today I have begotten you'? Or again, 'I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son'? And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, 'Let all God's angels worship him.' Of the angels he says, 'He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.' But of the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.'"

Luke 4:14-21
"And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.' And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, 'Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.'"

Luke 1:30-38
"And the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.' And Mary said to the angel, 'How will this be, since I am a virgin?' And the angel answered her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy--the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.' And Mary said, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her."

God told us exactly who His Son was! The Angel told Mary to name her son Jesus. And He is the Christ! The Messiah, our Hope and Salvation!

In Christ Jesus,

David

A Day of Rest is Coming!

Hebrews 4:1-13
"Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, 'As I swore in my wrath, "They shall not enter my rest,"' although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: 'And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.' And again in this passage he said, 'They shall not enter my rest.' Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, again he appoints a certain day, 'Today,' saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.' For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

I love how the writer here takes us on a journey through history!
Vs. 4 God creates everything and rests on the seventh day.
Vs. 8 Joshua didn't provide Israel with rest by entering into the promised land
Vs. 6-7 David writes of a day of rest, saying "Today,"
Our rest in in Christ, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."

Matthew 11:25-30
"At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Hebrews 4:11 "Let us therefore strive to enter that rest,"

Vs. 12-13
God knows our hearts, we cannot hide a single thing from Him! His word pierces our souls, it reveals the things we try to hide, but "no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

The Word of God reveals everything, good and bad! God sees all, good and bad! We will give account for everything we have done, said, though, felt, and the reciprocal of each. Everything is brought to light by the "living and active" Word of God.

But there is good news.......

I will get to that tomorrow!

Jesus the Great High Priest!

In Christ,

David

Do not wait to Believe!

Hebrews 3:7-19
A Rest for the People of God
"Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, "They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways." As I swore in my wrath, "They shall not enter my rest."' Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. As it is said, 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.' For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief."

How many Awesome things did the Children of Israel see while being lead out of Egypt?
1. They walked through the Red Sea as God parted it.
2. God Himself was a Pillar of Dust in the Day and a Pillar of Fire at Night.
3. He provided them with Mana (What is it?....that's what it means!)
4. He gave them quail
5. How about the scene on Mt. Sinai
6. For 40 years their cloths didn't wear out!
I am sure that I missed a bunch, but take a look at these 6 things, why would anyone doubt a God who would do all of this?

Sin, that would be the simple answer!
It puts a barrier between God and us. 100% Complete separation!
Once we are separated from God it is so much easier for us to continue sinning, because we have separated ourselves. (This is why it is best to confess sins as soon as we are aware of them.) God reaches to us through this barrier through Christ, but we must believe!
The Children of Israel didn't believe and a whole generation didn't get to see the promised land. We must not be like them! Christ came to die for the world, but much more than that, He came for each and everyone of us as individuals! Grab a hold of Him, Cling to Him! HE is the Light, He is the Truth, He is the Way!

John 10:7-18
"So Jesus again said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.'"

In Vs. 10 Jesus says, 'The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.' This is Satan, and that is all that he wants to do with our lives, destroy them, and make us as miserable as possible. Yes, sin can bring momentary pleasure, but it only lasts for a moment, then comes guilt and pain and sadness.

In Vs. 10-11 Jesus says, 'I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.' Jesus never promised us an easy life, only an abundant life, a full life. I believe that that means in this current life as well as in eternal life with God in Heaven!

Sin blocks us from the Truth, but God has reached out to us through this barrier. Let us continually tighten our Grip on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Hebrews 12:1-2
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which cling so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

In Christ,

David

Confidence and Hope in Jesus

Hebrews 3:1-6
Jesus Greater Than Moses
"Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses -- as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope."

Vs. 1-2
The Author is addressing Christians, "you who share in a heavenly calling,"! But next, "Consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,"! Wouldn't you think that if they were Christians that they would have already considered Jesus?
I think what the Author is really trying to do is make the biggest distinction of just who Jesus is. Who better to compare Jesus to (for the Hebrews/Nation of Israel/Jews) than Moses? He is right up there with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Isaiah! The Author is saying that just as Moses was faithful to God, so was Jesus!

Vs. 3-6
Here is where the Author really digs in! This is the main point, Jesus is worthy of so much more honor than Moses! In vs. 5, the Author says, "Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant,"! Moses was only considered to be a servant in God's house!! Vs. 6 "but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house". We -- as in "you who share in a heavenly calling" and "holy brothers", we are the house! Would not Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Isaiah all be a part of this house? But there is a distinction between them and Jesus! Jesus was faithful OVER God's house, OVER us!

Jesus is completely set apart from us and for that matter any created being! John 1:1-5 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
Jesus says,
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.'" John 14:6-7
"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.' John 8:12

Our Confidence and Hope rest in Jesus Christ! Confidence in all of the promises that God has given to use!

In Christ,

David

Showing Christ's Love

Hebrews 2:5-18
The Founder of Salvation
"Now it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. It has been testified somewhere, 'What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet.' Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, 'I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.' And again, 'I will put my trust in him.' And again, 'Behold, I and the children God has given me.' Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every aspect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."

Now there is a lot in there! But the main point that I would like to look at is that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, God himself, came to earth in the form of man! He had a great purpose for this, and that purpose was this: "For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every aspect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people."
God became one of us so that He could go through everything that we go through! He was tempted in every way that we are tempted and He didn't sin! "For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." He helps us, because he has gone through it!

1 Corinthians 9:19-23
"For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings."

God became man in Jesus Christ! Paul becomes like the people he is witnessing to!
We also need to do the same!

Not that we should do drugs so that we can witness to a drug addict, or become a prostitute so that we can witness to prostitutes.
But we must look for the thing that we have in common to one another! We must go to them where they are hurting, not bring them to us!
What do we all have in common?
Have we lied? Cheated? Stole? Hated? Coveted?.....
Romans 3:23 "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"
This is what we all have in common!!!

Jesus came to us to lift us up!
Romans 3:24-26 "And are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."

We fulfill this great gift by taking it to others in Love!
Matthew 28:18-20 "And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'"
Colossians1:24-25 "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,"
Romans 10:13-17 "For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!' But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?' So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."

We are commanded to go! Paul says it fulfills what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body --- the church! And Faith come through hearing the word of Christ!

First we need to show the Love of Christ to all people by loving them and going to them where they are at, where they are hurting! Then we can share with them, the love that is within us! The love of Christ.
1 John 4:19 "We love because he first loved us."

It's weird, but from the non-believers viewpoint, we must first earn the right to share the good news of Jesus with them. They must see that we genuinely care about them before they will be open to listening to us about what Jesus can do for them.

In Christ,

David

Don't miss the Gift!

Hebrews 2:1-4
Warning Against Neglecting Salvation
"Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will."

What have we heard that we must pay close attention to?
That was all in Chapter one. That Jesus Christ is the Son of God! Who came to be the worlds sacrifice to God.
Jesus is the Gift, He is our salvation and faith in Him is the only thing that can justify us! His blood is the only thing that can wash us clean of our sins.

What message declared by angels?
There were many messages declared by angels! And all of them have proved to be reliable! And anyone we disobeyed did receive their just retribution! Jesus Christ was declared to us also by angels, even God Himself opened the Heavens and spoke, "and behold, a voice from heaven said, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.'" Matthew 3:17
If people received just retribution before for not obeying what God said through the angels, what makes us think that we can escape it now?

Jesus claimed to be the Messiah, the Christ! God opened the Heavens and told us Jesus was His Son! There have been many signs and miracles as well as the Gift of the Holy Spirit to us.

We are without excuse! We have been told who the Messiah is and that we will be punished if we don't believe.

But, I think the reason many people don't believe, is that they don't experience His Love!
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends." John 15:13
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." John 3:16-17

How can we help people to experience this Love?

This will be the topic of the next post.....Hebrews 2:5-18

In Christ,

David

Jesus, More than just a Great Teacher!

Hebrews 1
The Supremacy of God's Son
"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, 'You are my Son, today I have begotten you'? Or again, 'I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a Son'? And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, 'Let all God's angels worship him.' Of the angels he says, 'He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.' But of the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.' And, 'You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.' And to which of the angels has he ever said, 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet'? Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?"

This is a great description of who Jesus really is!
1. The radiance of the glory of God
2. The exact imprint of his nature
3. He upholds the universe with the word of his power
4. Sitting at the right hand of the Majesty
5. Much superior to angels and his name is more excellent
6. God's son, the only begotten
7. His throne is forever
8. He has the scepter of uprightness
9. He loves righteousness and hates wickedness
10. Anointed by God
11. He laid the foundations from the beginning
12. The heavens are the works of his hands

He is not just a great teacher, but wait, there is more!!!

Who is the only one who can control the weather?
Well that's a very easy question, it's God!!

I would agree,
Matthew 8:23-27
Jesus Calms a Storm
"And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, 'Save us, Lord; we are perishing.' And he said to them, 'Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?' Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, 'What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?'"

Matthew 14:22-33
Jesus Walks on the Water
"Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples say him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, 'It is a ghost!' and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.' And Peter answered him, 'Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.' He said, 'Come.' So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, 'Lord, save me.' Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?' And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God.'"

We see here that Jesus controlled the winds and the waves 2 times as well as walking on the water and helping Peter to walk on the water through faith!

But wait, there is still more.....(I feel kind of like an infomercial...but in a good way!)

What about all the Healings and miracles that Jesus performed?
Matthew 8,9,12,14,15,17,20,21,28
Mark 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,16
Luke 4,5,6,7,8,9,11,14,17,18,22,24

The Book of John I am not listing because this is the final bit!

Tucked in the 8th Chapter is Gold!!!

John 8:48-59
"The Jews answered him, 'Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?' Jesus answered, 'I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.' The Jews said to him, 'Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, 'If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.' Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be? Jesus answered, 'If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, "He is our God." But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.' So the Jews said to him, 'You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?' Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.' So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple."

The only other time the phrase "I am" is ever used in the Bible is this:

Exodus 3:13-15
"Then Moses said to God, 'If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, "The God of your fathers has sent me to you," and they ask me, "What is his name?" what shall I say to them?' God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.' And he said, 'Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.' God also said to Moses, 'Say this to the people of Israel, "The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you." This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations."

Gods name is I AM!!! Jesus is the Great I AM!!!

Bonus......Prophecies!!!

There are Hundreds of Prophecies foretelling who the Messiah/Christ would be. Here are 10 of them and where they are found in the Bible.
1. Born in Bethlehem: Micah 5:2 fulfilled in Matthew 2:1
2. Preceded by a messenger: Isaiah 40:3 fulfilled in Matthew 3:1-2
3. Enter Jerusalem on a colt: Zechariah 9:9 fulfilled in Luke 19:35
4. Be Betrayed by a friend: Psalm 41:9 fulfilled in Matthew 26:47-50
5. Have his hands and feet pierced Psalm 22:16 fulfilled in Luke 23:33 (Psalm 22 is the whole crucifixion)
6. Be wounded and whipped by his enemies: Isaiah 53:5 fulfilled in Matthew 27:26
7. Be sold for thirty pieces of silver: Zechariah 11:12 fulfilled in Matthew 26:15
8. Be spit upon and beaten: Isaiah 50:6 fulfilled in Matthew 26:67
9. The betrayal money thrown in the temple and used for a potters field: Zechariah 11:13 fulfilled in Matthew 27:5-7
10. Cast lots for the Messiah's clothing: Psalm 22:18 fulfilled in Matthew 27:35

The chance of just one person fulfilling just these 10 prophecies in 1 in 10,000,000,000,000,000,000!!!!!!
I can't even count that high! And this is just 10 prophecies, and there are hundreds more!

Jesus is the Messiah/Christ!!! He is God by His very nature!!!

'I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God.' That is one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of thing Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.' C.S. Lewis

In Christ,

David

God Speaks

Hebrews 1:1-4
The Supremacy of God's Son
"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs."

This is so awesome! Just think about it for a second.... God speaks, He speaks to us!
Long ago He spoke through the prophets, but now, He speaks in a much more personal way, He speaks through His Son!

There is a love in a Father son relationship like nothing else! Dads and Sons you know what I'm talking about! Dads build into their kids lives so that they can grow up and be strong and become men. Sons look to their fathers for guidance and affirmation that they are becoming or have become men!
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
God gave His only Son! His Son was not taken from Him, but God freely gave Him up! What love is there in that action! The love of a Father for His Son, and then to give Him up because He loves us and wanted us to be in relationship with Him!!!
Jesus came to earth and spoke God's Truth to us! Then He gave Himself as a Sacrifice for us, if we would just believe in Him!
God is still speaking through Christ and His words, the Word of God. If we believe in Christ, we are given His Spirit to teach and guide us!

God speaks! Are you listening?

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah Psalm 46

Be still, and know that He is God! Be still and listen!

In Christ,

David

Big Hairy Questions!

Recently, this has come up a lot, so I guess that I should post a little ditty about the Big questions we all have in life!

To be or not to be....that is not the question I am talking about!

Do I buy a house? or rent for a few more years?
Should I pursue a relationship with a certain girl/guy?
Should I go back to school/switch majors/go to grad school?
What ministry avenues should I pursue?

You know, all the really big ones, that we all seek out God's perfect will on?

I will used Peter as an example for these questions.
Matthew 13:22-33 "Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, 'It is a ghost!' and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.' And Peter answered him, 'Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.' He said, 'Come.' So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, 'Lord, save me.' Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?' And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God."

There are 2 things that we should take out of this!
1. If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat!
2. If you want to walk on water, you must have faith in God!

1. Getting out of the boat!
If we just sit around and wait for things to happen, it most likely will never happen. (Not saying that it couldn't happen) We need to make a solid decision! Whether to go or to stay. There was no mention in the story of one of the disciples who was half in and half out of the boat. They had all made the decision to stay or to go.

2. Having Faith in God!
We must trust that God will lead us to the correct decision! Sometimes though we make a decision and everything seems to fall apart, but is God still not faithful and provides for us? We must also have enough faith to believe that if we make the wrong decision that God will still be there to protect us and get us back on track!

When we put these two things together, we see that God is always there for us! Just as he was there for Peter. Peter made the decision to get out of the boat (Right decision)! Once out of the boat he chose to focus on the wind and the waves instead of Christ (Wrong decision)! But was Christ still not there for Peter? Did Christ not extend a saving hand to stop Peter from sinking? He will do the same for us with every decision we make in our lives.

The more we do this and experience His amazing protection, doesn't mean that it gets any easier! God is there to protect us, but when we are going through the tough times it is hard to see Him through all the pain and suffering. But isn't being refined by fire a painful process? We pray to become more like Christ, then when we have to go through trial and tribulations we ask for them to be taken away. Christ was persecuted, ridiculed, spat upon, rejected, and killed by His own people. Should we expect anything less when we ask to become like Him?

The point is, when faced with BIG decisions:
1. Make a choice....and stick to it!
2. Have faith enough in God that whether it was the right or wrong choice that He will get you through it and back on the path of righteousness!

In Christ,

David

Cinco de Mayo ---- National Day of Prayer!

Yeah, come on prayer warriors!
Let's pray for revival in our country and around the world!
Pray for the leaders, International, National, and locally!
Pray for the Schools and Churches!
Pray for family and friends and co-workers!
Pray that God would reveal himself to people in your life and use you in their lives!
Pray that you would draw nearer to God as He draws nearer to you!

Just get out there and PRAY!!!!

It is so awesome that we live in a country that we can do this freely, we should do this every day!

Free in Christ

1 Corinthians 6:12 "'All things are lawful for me,' but not all things are helpful. 'All things are lawful for me,' but I will not be enslaved by anything."
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not you own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Romans 12:1-2a "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world,"
Ephesians 5:1-2 "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

I don't want to offend anyone, so please don't take this the wrong way!

There once was a man who had 10 slaves. These 10 worked hard for their master, but the master would only expect them to work even harder the next day. He would only grant them to small meals a day and would work them from sun up to sun down. Needless to say, this was not a very nice man to work for.
One day a man came to the master and purchased all 10 slaves. He told them that they were free to go, they were no longer slaves.
5 of the former slaves didn't believe the man and stayed to work for their old master.
3 of the former slaves took off and ran away.
2 of the former slaves stayed with the man who had purchased their freedom.

This is the story of the human race!
The slave master is satan and the sin that we have been born into.
The one who bought us is Jesus Christ!
Most people choose not to believe Christ and stay enslaved to their sins and satan.
Some accept their freedom in Christ, but run away. They have Christ in their lives but don't allow Him to lead them.
The smallest category accept their freedom in Christ, and stay with him. They say to Him, "I am indebted to you for your kindness and love. I will freely stay with you and serve you."
We are not slaves in the sense that we must stay, but we freely stay and serve!

This is our sacrifice, our worship of our Savior, our Living God!
For those of us who choose to stay with Christ, why do we fall back into the sins that were our former masters?

Father, thank you for saving, redeeming, washing, sanctifying, and justifying me. Thank you granting me your righteousness and holiness through Christ! Thank you for making me into the man that you desire me to be, conforming me into the likeness of Christ Jesus. I ask Father, that you would use your rod to protect me from the enemies of my soul and that you would use your staff to guide my ways and keep me on you paths of righteousness. I don't want to walk down the paths that I was on before Lord, I don't even want to look down them. Break me Lord and make me to lie down in your green pastures beside the deep waters, Lord restore my soul! Help me to serve you alone. Help me to be a Living Sacrifice and a fragrant offering pleasing to you. Thank you for your wonderful hounds, goodness and mercy, who are upon me even before me feet can hit the ground in the morning! Thank you for adopting me as a son and bringing me into your house to dwell in heaven with you forever.

In Christ,

David

Lighten up and Live!!!

Ken Davis is a comedian/speaker and I heard this story on his radio show this morning!

A husband and wife who were missionaries to Africa for 50 years were finally returning home. The ship that they were returning on also carried Teddy Roosevelt back from one of his Safari's. As the couple were departing the ship, they were delayed by President Roosevelt's exit. After about an hour delay for him and once he was off the ship, they were able to depart and make their way through the crowd that had gathered to see the President.
The husband said to his wife, "We have given our lives in service to God, as well as lost two children to jungle diseases. And there is no one here to welcome us home! I am so angry and disappointed!!" His wife replied to him, "Maybe you should let God know how you feel, tell Him everything."
The couple got to their hotel room and the man's wife feel asleep almost immediately upon lying down on the bed. The next morning she awoke to her husband whistling and smiling! She asked him, "Did you tell God how you were feeling?" He replied with a simple, "Yes, I did." She asked, "Well, what did God say?" The husband said, "Well, I told God everything that I was feeling, anger, disappointment, and frustration that there was no one here to welcome us home. And God told me not to worry, because we are not home yet!"

Isn't this so true of us today? We forget that this is not were we should look for acceptance, for recognition! Our home is Heaven! We are only missionaries here, we are Ambassadors and our citizenship is with God in Heaven!!!

In Christ,

Dave

Psalm 23

Psalm 23
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

So, Pastor James MacDonald just got done with a 4 part series on this psalm! It was so good that I would just love to share it with y'all.

You can check his stuff out at www.walkintheword.com

Vs. 1 "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."
Want what? I shall not want anything, my shepherd provides for all my needs! But more importantly, I shall not want another shepherd! The LORD is my shepherd, I don't want anyone else!

Vs. 2-3a "He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul." The LORD leads me to the best grass, the green pastures! He doesn't make me walk, run, or jump, but lie down in it. Sheep will run away constantly, just like we do. And sometimes he has to make us lie down. Shepherds will break the legs of sheep to make them lie down in safety rather than running away! Has God ever broken you down and made you lie down in His pastures? He also leads us beside still waters, these are deep waters, not shallow! Shallow waters are noisy and running very fast, but deep waters are where we can find rest. This is what our relationship with Him should be like. The deep waters, were we rest in God and are renewed! Finally here David writes, "He restores my soul." The previous things are how God restores our souls! He restores us by making us lie down with Him in His green pastures and bringing us to the deep waters of a relationship with Himself.

What are things that deplete our souls?
1. Business
2. People
3. Needy People
4. Over commitment

What are things that restore our souls?
1. Sleep
2. Time in Prayer
3. Time in the Word
4. Time in Fellowship

Vs. 3b "He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."
He leads me down Right Paths! He wont lead me astray. But the best part is why!! He does this for His name's sake, it is all for His Glory, He is the Good Shepherd!

Vs. 4 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
What is the valley of the shadow of death? It can be different things for different people. But as sheep in Israel, the pastures were up on the slops of the mountains and to get to the next green pasture you had to go through the deep valley, where the cliffs were so high that you could barely see the sun! We all have these valleys in our lives, but the verse say that I walk through the valley, not into. I walk through it, implying that I come out on the other side! But also, I will fear no evil as I am in the valley. Because my shepherd is with me!!! I am not alone in the valley! God is right there with me! My shepherd's rod and staff comfort me, the rod is used to defend me against attackers, I trust that my shepherd will protect me. And the staff is used to keep me in line, to keep me on the safe path when I start to wander. They are both there to protect me, and that gives me comfort!

Vs. 5 "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."
The LORD prepares a table, a feast for me in the presence of my enemies! He exalts me in front of them! It is not wrong for us to look for and want vindication from our enemies, but only the LORD has the right to take action. And what better why to be vindicated than to be served by the LORD in the presence of my enemies!!! The anointing of my head with oil, this is part of that as well. It is an honor, but it also goes with the next part. My cup overflows! It isn't just full, but it overflows and will never stop! This is all about us going back and serving God here on earth! God gives us more than enough in Himself. He doesn't want us to serve Him out of our capacity, rather out of the overflow that He provides us with. That way we don't take any Glory for it was all His strength and power that allowed us to do what we were called to do!

Vs. 6a "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,"
These are the Hounds of Heaven!! Goodness and Mercy! Loving Kindness and Undeserved Compassion from God follow us everywhere we go! Pastor James tells a story about a retreat he was on: One morning the guy next to him woke up yelling, "Whoa, whoa, down boy, get down! OK, OK, stop it, get down!" Pastor James asked him, what he was doing and the reply was amazing! "It is Goodness and Mercy, the Hounds of Heaven! Every morning before my feet can even hit the ground they are all over me! Licking my face and just loving me! I can't escape them." That guy totally got what this verse meant! God totally Loves us. His Goodness and Mercy we can never escape from!

Vs. 6b "and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever."
Ohhhh this is Great!!!!
I shall....there is no if's and's or but's here, David is 100% confident that he will!!!
Dwell....not just visit or pass through, but live in, dwell in!!!!
The House of the LORD....who's house? God's House!!!
Forever.....For, EVER!!!!

When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing His praise
Than when we've first begun

This right here in this short 6 vs Psalm, is the abundant Christian life.

Press into Jesus! He will provide for you all your needs!

In Christ,

Dave