Hebrews 4:14-16 "Hold On"

Dedicated to Claudia Johnson. A woman whose faith never seemed to be shaken.

Read Hebrews 4:14-16.

"... let us hold firmly to the faith we profess...." NIV

In review, we started Hebrews with that fact that Jesus is over angels and yet was made in the same image as we are. He went through the same temptations, but was without sin. Unlike Moses and the Israelites, Jesus never turned His back on God and therefore, did not receive the punishment of being without the promised land like they did. The Israelites made poor choices and were not able to enter into God's rest (the promised land.) Their lives serve as an admonishment to us to keep on the narrow path -- choose obedience so we can enter into His rest one day.

THEREFORE, we have seen that we have a high priest who takes our sins away once and for all. He is completely worthy and capable of accomplishing for eternity what had to be done annually before. So we should "hold firmly to the faith we profess." Our faith cannot be taken lightly. A high price was paid for it. Neither can we live flippantly. Obedience is a requirement to finishing in His rest.

So we must hold on. Hold on through the doubts. Hold on through the struggles. Hold on in good times and bad. When all else fails, hold on. He will never fail you. God has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us. No matter what we endure here, God has us in the palm of His hand and will carry us through the storm. "Approach the throne with confidence" for He is waiting to guide you through this life we've been given. He is never short on "mercy and grace" and will bring us safely to our rest.

Further Thoughts:

1. Read Hebrews 11. When our faith is shaken, hearing of others' strength can spur us on.
2. Are you doubting or struggling in your faith? God can handle your questions. If I can be of help, please leave a comment or email me at jerolyn@bogearfamily.com. I'd love to search for the answers with you or just be in prayer while you are in your valley.

Hebrews 4:12-13 "Laid Bare"

Read Hebrews 4:12-13.

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight." NIV

Do you think we will ever fully understand the enormity of these verses? We are told that through obedience we enter into His rest and and then, bam, hit with these verses. God knows me inside and out. He sees every dirty crevice and grimy indentation. He knows not only my thoughts, but my intentions. No corner of my mind or heart is hidden from Him. Every action He sees me make, He also sees the purpose in my heart. I can hide from others and even try to fool myself, but my complete being in all its imperfections covered in some vaguely good deeds is an open book to my Creator.

And here lies the rub, He's also my Savior. I can't hide anything from Him, but then He still loves me. He knows exactly where I fall and where I attempt to shine. He sees ever corner of my heart, and still He loves me. My imperfect being He now views draped in His amazing grace.

Further Thoughts:

1. Are you thinking you can hide from God or are you just fooling yourself? Why?
2. If we know we need to hide from God, why don't we just confess and rid ourselves of the things that are sin to Him?
3. We are all imperfect beings -- some of us are just forgiven. What verses prove that?
4. Read the words of this amazing hymn. (suggestion: mute the sound.)

Hebrews 4:1-11 "Rest"

Read Hebrews 4:1-11.

"Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience." NIV

We have 3 "rest" references here. Entering the rest of the Sabbath, entering the rest of the Promised Land, and entering the rest of heaven. How are they all related.

God has provided a reward for our labors whether they are at the end of the week, the end of a journey, or the end of our life. Our job is to do be obedient to get there. All of life involves work - labor for food and shelter, work on relationships, work at evangelism. Everything requires us to consciously put feet and hands to thoughts and ideas. If we don't, we become intellectual, useless slugs and of no purpose for God's plan. But if we remain diligent, we get a reward of a day of rest. Likewise, as symbolized by the Israelites' journey through the desert, we can have a reward at the end of our life's journey as well. The trip is not an easy one. There are dry times and obstacles all along the way. But the Lord provides for our every need if we only trust Him. We may not have columns of smoke during the day or fire at night, but His Spirit lights the path if we simply use our spiritual eyes.

Thank You, Precious Lord, that we have a purpose and a work to do. Give me diligence to run the race with perseverance even when times are difficult. Holy Spirit, guide my path that when I reach the end, I will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." And then I can enter my rest.

Further Thoughts:

1. Look up Scripture about running the race.
2. Work is expected, but are we to do everything? In other words, is every opportunity to serve something we are to do? Support your answer with Scripture.
3. Read about the Sabbatical rest.
4. Do you need to rest or work? Remember, balance is a good thing.

Hebrews 3:7-19 "No Hard Hearts"

Read Hebrews 3:7-19.

"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion." NIV

I'm thinking if a sentence is given twice within 12 verses, we need to pay attention to what it says. The Hebrew people failed to do it, and paid dearly for their arrogance. They never saw the promised land. And yet, today so many people are still committing the same horrendous mistake -- choosing their own way over God's.

"Today" .....Yesterday is done. If you ignored His voice yesterday, ask forgiveness and move forward. Tomorrow isn't here yet. Don't worry about it. Today is the time to open your ears to the Lord's voice and obey. It may be something small or something life-changing -- but anytime He speaks, it's important. We can't simply ignore the voice of the Almighty God. My goodness, what arrogance! That's exactly what got the Israelites into trouble. Where did we become so self-sufficient as to think we know better than God? The audacity blows my mind and must make God very angry. Which makes me wonder.....how many blessings have we missed out on because of our disobedient moments? If the Israelites, who traveled through the desert for forty years in the end miss out on the Promise Land, then I must be missing out on something when I disobey. We serve a just God and sin does not go unpunished.

"do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion" -- Lord, forgive me for those times I have harden my heart against You. Holy Spirit, protect me from those desires. I never want to be rebellious against my Lord. You alone are the great I AM; I am not.

Further Thoughts:

1. Are you listening to the Lord every day? If no, why not?
2. If yes, what is He saying to you? Are you following His directions or living in rebellion?
3. Why do we choose rebellion?
4. How do we break the cycle? What heart change has to happen?
5. How do we stay committed to God?

Hebrews 3:1-6 "The Faithful One"

Read Hebrews 3:1-6.

"But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house." NIV

Here Jesus is called an "apostle." The word apostle means "one who is sent." God, the Father, sent Jesus, the Son, to earth to redeem His people. Then the author compares Jesus to Moses in this respect. Just as Moses was sent out to lead the Hebrew people out of slavery in Egypt, so Jesus is sent to lead the people out of slavery to sin.

Jesus stands firm, faithfully still leading God's creation out of an eternity of damnation to an eternity with God. Even when we stray, He is "faithful" over God's house, the believers. So often we act as the Hebrew people did and wander away from Christ, but He never leaves us. He faithfully waits patiently for our return. What sorrow and grief He must suffer in the waiting. As if the suffering He already did for us on the cross was not enough, we become selfish and seek our own paths. But He waits ..... with arms open wide for His bride to return. Such patience with such fallible beings. Why? Why doesn't He just wipe us all off the face of the earth and say, "Enough of this foolishness!"

Because He is love. And His amazing love outweighs and out-waits any sin we can commit. All we need to do is "hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast." The Son is watching.

Further Thoughts:

1. Do you have trouble believing that Jesus still loves you even in all of your messed-up-ness? Why?
2. What is the difference between being "messed up" and walking away from God or rebellion?
3. What does Scripture mean by "the narrow path?" How is the width of the path determined? (support with Scripture)
4. Read the book of Hosea. It's short, and it gives a great illustration of the way Jesus waits for us.
5. Spends some time today analyzing if you are on the narrow path or not. What are your intentions as a Christ-follower? Fire insurance or total surrender? God knows your heart, so you can't hide your intentions from Him. But sometimes, I think we hide our intentions from ourselves. It's time to be honest.
   

Hebrews 3:1 "Staying Focused"

Read Hebrews 3:1.

"...fix your thoughts on Jesus...." NIV

I couldn't get past verse 1 today. I was stopped dead in my tracks. What does it mean to "fix your thoughts on Jesus?"

Our thoughts can turn many different directions. And I find that my circumstances can really influence where those thoughts/attention/focus goes. And I don't like that. I feel manipulated by life and not centered in who I am -- or rather in whose I am. Here's what I mean:

The most focused on Christ that I am is when I get away on a spiritual retreat. Best if I am alone, but I have gone on retreats with my husband/with my best friend/other pastors and their spouses/and just other Christian women. All my time is spent in worship, in The Word, in prayer, usually in one of God's beautiful creation spots, fellowshipping with people of like mind. In those settings, I have experienced some amazing revelations from God, and He has used me to speak into other people's lives. I come away totally refreshed and ready to face the world again.

Then there is the school year. A huge time of routine. Get up, have my time with the Lord, get my daughter started on school, exercise, housework, etc. Routines. I work well in routines. They keep someone who can be happy with a glass of iced tea and a good book focused on getting other things accomplished. But the best part of the routine is, I do not miss out on my time with the Lord every morning. Because it is as natural as brushing my teeth, I make time for it. And those are the times that fuel my life. I start off my day on the right foot with my eyes firmly focused on the Lord. Do I do everything perfectly after that? No. But at least I am booting up to the right system. I'm kneeling at the Master's feet receiving my marching orders for that day, and absorbing His amazing love.

Then there are all the other times that offer distractions -- vacations, long jury duty, visitors, summer break in general, loss of routines/responsibilities. And then my focus is gone. I start wandering to other distractions and lose sight of purpose and the fuel that keeps me going. Discipline is easy when it is part of our daily routine. But when that routine is interrupted, I can so easily lose focus on the important part of living -- serving our Lord.

I want a discipline, no a passion in my heart for the Lord that is so great that nothing can distract me. I mean NOTHING. I don't want to have to rely on routines. I want to be driven to my knees each day in desperation. I want my every action -- even during the distractions -- to be to live for Christ and His glory. I want every word I speak and every action I do to be with one purpose -- to serve Him. No more allowing distractions to make my focus blurry. I choose to fix my thoughts, eyes, ears, my whole being, on Jesus -- the author and finisher of my faith.

Further Thoughts:

1. How do you operate? What or who distracts you from focusing on Jesus?
2. How can you eliminate or control those distractions?
3. Find some verses that will keep your mind focused on Christ. Post them on your mirror, dashboard, or computer to remind you daily where your focus must remain.

Hebrews 2:5-18. "Made Human to Save"

Read Hebrews 2:5-18.

"Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death -- that is, the devil -- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." NIV

What a beautiful passage describing the power of Christ and His submission to a human life. He suffered so much for us so we would no longer live in fear. His authority is established by everything being put "under his feet." And then His humility comes through lowering Himself to the level of His Creation.

I find the passage "In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering." very interesting. By Christ lowering himself to our level, He not only became our high priest of atonement, but a brother to all mankind. We are children together. Very hard for my human mind to wrap itself around this thought. But I am so thankful and humbled that I am loved that much. I just pray that I can share a small portion of that love to those around me. What amazing grace.

And because Jesus could not sin, his connection to our humanity is that He suffered in temptation just like we do. We are not alone; He truly knows our struggles and provides a way out.

Further Thoughts:

1. Does the fact that Christ became like us humble you or make you arrogant?
2. Based on Christ's actions and our place in eternity, how should we relate to those around us who have not accepted the Truth?
3. We are all still messed up beings. So what has changed?

Hebrews 2:1-4 "Pay Attention"

Read Hebrews 2:1-4.

"We must pay more careful attention...." NIV

Distractions abound - TV, music, games, outdoor sports, indoor sports, work, chores, food, relationships, travel - and I'm only getting started. Staying focused on anything is so difficult today because we have so many things wanting to pull us away to give them attention. And then everything must be instantaneous. With cell phones, IM, Twitter, email we have demanded responses immediately. I don't know how many times I've heard my cell phone ringing and couldn't get to it. Then my house phone rings and when I finally answer, the caller is saying, "Where were you? I've been trying to get a hold of you!"
"I was in the bathroom; is that okay?"

We are becoming more and more demanding of other's attention, but are we paying attention ourselves? Do we take the time to really listen to another person? Do we stop long enough to reflect on what we've done, what we are doing, and what we need to do next and why? Do we ever stop long enough to change our perspective from myopic to a bird's eye view that will give us a better perspective on situations, relationships, and just the whole scope of life?

Recently, my husband and I had the privilege of having our Sunday morning worship sitting above Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe in California. So far, this is my most favorite place in the whole world. With the waterfall to my right, the bay below me, and the lake to my left, I feel like in that moment all is right with the world. The beauty of that place warms my soul, and God is so near I can touch Him. That is one of the places I can go where life stops, and I truly pay attention.

As the writer of Hebrews points out, it is so easy to let your faith drift away. Call it a spiritual ADHD, but with far greater consequences than missing an answer on a test or not hearing the boss' instructions on a project. When we allow our minds, hearts, and attention to wander from the Truth, the enemy has an opportunity to fill our minds with alternatives. But there is no substitute for the salvation that Christ gave.

* the angels gave the message
* Christ first announced the salvation
* confirmed by witnesses
* God reinforces the message with "signs, wonders, and various miracles"
* we are blessed with the gift of the Holy Spirit to speak the Truth within us

If we just pay attention, the Truth is shining loud and clear. Our focus must remain on Him and Him alone. Only then will the purpose of our existence and the plans for our life make sense.... And continue to make sense.

Pay attention. It's all true. Every word of it.

Further Thoughts:

1. When do you most find the doubts about what you believe begin to creep in? When you are too busy for reflection? When you stop having time alone with God and in the Word? When you stop meeting with other believers? Other times?
   
2. What are ways we can pay attention better? How do we keep our salvation always in the forefront of our thinking?
3. Make a list of your priorities. Does this shed any light on your "attention" level?
4. Rearrange your priorities today so that your focus remains on Christ and what He has done for you.

Hebrews 1:3b-14 "Christ Above the Angels"

Read Hebrews 1:3b-14.

"'Let all the angels worship him."' NIV

People have had a fascination with angels for centuries. Their power and abilities has always been a mystery to mankind. And because of their invisible eternal quality, we have never really been able to pin down who they are. The Scripture speaks some about angels, and the author of Hebrews here makes it very clear that they are not equal in any way to Jesus Christ, the Son.

The Jews revered the angels because the law given at Sinai involved angels. So Hebrews is making sure that the Messianic Jews understood the angels place in the hierarchy.

What I love about this passage is not so much where the angels are in relation to Christ because I already believe they are below Christ. But this passage says so much more about Christ's relationship to the Father and His status as God. He is placed over the angels and made equal with the Father. Christ was at the creation of the world. He is the one who completed the purification for sins. He sits at the right hand of the Father. All beings, including angels worship Him. Even His enemies are a footstool for His feet. Christ's superiority is clearly established.

Then the author closes out the chapter reminding us that angels are just ministering spirits sent to serve us, the redeemed. While that is comforting in itself, that I serve a Master that is God of all is so much more.

Further Thoughts:

1. Look up the verses regarding angels that the author of Hebrews sites.
2. Do you rely on angels to guard you or the power of Christ who lives within you?
3. Read Billy Graham's book "Angels, Angels, Angels." Fascinating read.

Hebrews 1:1-3a "In His Image"

NOTE: Okay, took a little longer than a week. Jury duty took over my life. In the Word, but not online. (Read a lot from Proverbs.) I'm back now and ready to tackle a new book and learn many new truths.

Read Hebrews 1:1-3a.

"...he has spoken to us by his Son...." NIV

Here is the essence of the Old Testament versus the New Testament. In the Old, God spoke to the prophets, and they spoke to the people God's words. But now through Jesus Christ, we have direct access to the Father. That is just amazing to me. How blessed we are. We do not serve a distant God who like the mythological gods sat on their thrones far away and in their self-centeredness, dictated our fates. Our Father loves us so much that He became one of us and makes it possible for us to "draw near to Him and He will draw near to us." His dictates are not for His own gain, but for our good. His guidance is 24/7. He never sleeps or ignores us. Even when He takes His time to answer us, it is because His timing is perfect, and His ways are right. Out of His tremendous love, our Father makes Himself available to His children, and it is only possible through Jesus Christ -- the "perfecter and finisher of our faith."

I also love the first part of verse three. "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word." All of God's glory could not have been contained in one human being. So Christ is the radiance of His glory -- a mere fraction to give us a glimpse of who God is. But in Christ's being, He is an "exact representation" of the Father. Everything we see and learn from the Word about Christ, that is God. His compassion, justice, understanding, knowledge, power, anger at sin, unconditional love -- these are all God's attributes. As God Himself, Jesus shows us in a human package, what our Father and Creator is like. And then to be told that we are made in His image. Wow. Stop and think about that a minute. I am made in the image of the Creator. I'm not equal with Him, nor will I ever be. But like a child resembles their parents in looks, I resemble my Father in my spirit. If I put away the sinful nature that wants to take over each day, I am truly designed for good. There is something very comforting in that truth. And powerful. By the power of Jesus Christ, I am in touch with my Creator whose character I am designed to embody.

I'm still human and will never be perfect. But, wow, what a leg up we have. We are designed for perfection. Now to just allow His Spirit to mold our hearts to match.

Further Thoughts:

1. What other Scripture says that we were designed in God's image?
2. What would Old Testament life been like?
3. Has New Testament revelation made life to easy for us? Or at least, can we become lazy over Old Testament devotion?
4. Does direct access to the Father make arrogance a temptation? How do we avoid that?
5. Even though we are made in His image, we are still so small, and He is so BIG. Live in humility.

Hebrews "Prep Work"

I am going to start studying Hebrews. Over this next week, I will spend time researching the author, theme, and purpose of this book. Then I plan on slowly reading through the book (13 chapters) to get a good overview of the whole thought -- probably a couple of times. After all that I'll walk through it verse by verse, chapter by chapter on the blog.

Hope you'll join me. Back in a few days.

Jerolyn