An Oregon Gem

My son and I are leaving for beautiful Diamond Lake this morning for a week of trout fishing and camping. We will be among those "dwelling in tents" (prayerfully one of my future articles someday). The lake is located at an elevation of over 5000 ft and so the days are often gorgeous and the night-times a little on the chilly side. Lord willing, I will be posting again during the first week in June. I hope to pause and ponder the wonder of His creation as we have the privilege to enjoy His handiwork in the outdoors. May we each endeavor to take the time in this busy world to pause and ponder the magnificent truths and promises found in our Lord Jesus. God bless!

Short Thoughts for Today

Yesterday's thoughts were focused on the admonition to not harden our hearts. Today, in Hebrews 3:12 we find a similar concern; that of an unbelieving heart. The verse says, "Take care, brethren, lest there should be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart, in falling away from the living God." May ours be believing hearts, trusting Him in all things.

I would first note those who are named as recipients of this word of caution. It is the brethren who are to take care and take care we must. It seems quite evident that each of us, or "any one of you" is subject to the prospect of an unbelieving heart. This is why care must be given. Christians are people who have believed God. We have believed the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. But we are a people called to live lives believing God. Continuously believing Him. We have received Him by faith and are called to walk in Him by faith. We all know someone who has fallen "away from the living God". Perhaps it is ourselves. May we take care as we look to Jesus for guidance and direction to be people of faith, believing God.

Short Thoughts for Today

Hebrews 3:7-11 will be our text for today's short thoughts. In these verses the writer was inspired to reference words previously written by the psalmist. The passage says, "Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, 'Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as when they provoked Me, as in the day of trial in the wilderness, where your fathers tried Me by testing Me, and saw My works for forty years. Therefore I was angry with this generation, and said, 'They always go astray in their heart; And they did not know my ways'; As I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.'"

Much could be said about the various topics mentioned in this portion of His written word. But I will limit my "short thoughts" to the heavenly admonition against hardening the heart. Oh that we might listen and respond to the loving voice of our Heavenly Father as He speaks to our hearts. Through His word, His called servants, prayer and the fellowship of believers, may we be surrendered to the Holy Spirit as He fulfills His role as our Helper.

He wants what is best for us, "that we may share His holiness", each of us who are His children, "partakers of the Divine nature". We must seek to guard our hearts and minds through intimacy with the Lord Jesus. Our enemy, the one who "prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" intends to use all that he feels will be effective in keeping us from an "undistracted devotion to the Lord". He will attempt to use all that is contrary to Christ likeness to cause a hardening of our hearts. May we acknowledge the importance of a soft heart and look to Jesus for guidance in making and keeping it so. Whatever may come our way, may we seek His grace and mercy to be soft to His loving touch.

Short Thoughts for Today

Today's thought will come from Hebrews 3:2-6. Speaking of Jesus in these five verses, the author writes, "He was faithful to Him who appointed Him , as Moses also was in all His house. For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. Now Moses was faithful in His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end".

In important ways, this passage of scripture was of great significance to the Hebrew believer. Moses was faithful and Moses was granted glory. But Christ is "counted worthy of more glory than Moses"! My thoughts today are of His faithfulness. Jesus has proven Himself faithful to His Father and faithful to those whom the Father has given Him. It is proclaimed time and time again that God is faithful. We would despair if it were not for the faithfulness of our Lord Jesus. We may struggle in our desire to be counted amongst the faithful brethren, but His names include Faithful and True. Peter speaks of entrusting our souls to our faithful Creator and Paul proclaimed to Timothy that "If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself". Praise the Lord for His faithfulness!

Short Thoughts for Today

Today's thoughts will be from Hebrews 3:1 where we begin this 3rd chapter with the following words, "Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession".

Only as we find ourselves in Christ, clothed in His righteousness, can we be called "holy brethren". This is not a title given for us to boast in except that we "boast in the Lord". It is not a reflection of our conduct or religious practice, but a result of our relationship with the Holy One.

You and I are partakers of a heavenly calling. It is He who has called us. As the years have gone by and I have had the privilege to grow in my faith, there can be no doubt that His calling of me was a call which had it's origin in His grace and mercy.

We find a short phrase in today's passage that I must take a moment to note. For each of us who are the recipients of this heavenly calling, to those made holy by His grace and His mercy, we have been encouraged to consider Jesus. Imagine the change that might occur in our lives and in our churches if we took more time to consider Jesus. The great antidote for many of the believer's problems. Not out of duty but out of a relationship that seeks intimacy, let us take the time to "consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession".

Short Thoughts for Today

In Hebrews 2:16 we were reminded that God has chosen us to be the recipients of His help. In today's passage of scripture, Hebrews 2:17-18, we continue to read about the benefits of being the object of His affections. In these two verses we read, "He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted."

In God's sovereign plan, nothing has been done without purpose. Made like His brethren, He partook of flesh and blood when He walked upon this earth as a man. And now, merciful and faithful is our high priest, the Lord Jesus Christ! As a man, He dwelt amongst men and became familiar with their ways. He knows how best to intercede for us regarding the things pertaining to God.

Without question, our sins were overwhelmingly countless, but He took them upon Himself, dying once, the just for the unjust. But He remains available for assistance in this life. We see in our passage today that "He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted". We need not write a list of our temptations for public display, but we would be wise to acknowledge that we are each tempted. And we must not neglect His aid. Who among us is tempted? Each of us that still live and breath in the body of flesh. We are tempted on every side and at every turn. We need the aid that He is capable of providing. Only our brothers and sisters in Christ who have gone before us have ceased to be subject to temptation. With assurance, may we run to the One who formed us, because His word is true, "He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted".

Short Thoughts for Today

What a great promise we have from God in the 16th verse of Hebrews chapter two! "For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham." Each member of the body of Christ is named as a "descendant of Abraham". In Galatians 3:6 we read that "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness" and in verse 7 we read, "Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham". You and I, and all who have confessed "that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh", that "Jesus is the Son God", that "God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son" are those who are of faith and sons of Abraham.

It is to this person or these persons that He is the giver of help. Help from God is a mighty thing indeed. We must note that Paul was inspired to proclaim to the Romans that "while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly". While we were helpless, He intervened and helped us. But His help did not stop there. As He was preparing His disciples for His absence, Jesus promised that on their (and our) behalf He would ask the Father to give them another Helper, One of the same kind as He. In fact, He said that it was to their advantage that He go away in order that He send the Helper.

He gives help, we need it. He gives help, so seek it. He gives help, so receive it. He gives help, so share it. Though our needs are abundant and our weaknesses great, we cannot exhaust His help. It is not a burden for Him to help us. It is part of Who He is, it is one of His names, He is our Helper and longs to do so.

Short Thoughts for Today

In 2 Timothy 1:10, the Apostle Paul wrote that "our Savior Christ Jesus" "abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel". In today's scripture we read from Hebrews 2:14-15, "Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is the devil; and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives." Oh how great is our victory in Christ!

I suppose that this side of heaven we will never fully understand the mystery of the Son of God coming to earth and partaking of flesh and blood. The Apostle John proclaimed, "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth". Lord, help us to be ever grateful for Your Son stepping out of heaven to dwell amongst the very ones He would die for.

We seem to have a better comprehension of His purpose; that "He might render powerless him who had the power of death" and that He might deliver those who "were subject to slavery all their lives". I find His means of doing so remarkable. He would use death itself to rise victoriously over the one who had the power of death. He met death head on at a place called Calvary. His life did not need to be taken from Him because He had come to give it freely. Because He had no fear of death, we can share in the same. There should be no doubt as to why the song of heaven will proclaim, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing".

Short Thoughts for Today

In today's passage we read the tremendous words of encouragement, "He is not ashamed to call them brethren". The entire passage for today is Hebrews 2:11-13 which says, "For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, 'I will proclaim Thy name to My brethren, In the midst of the congregation I will sing Thy praise.' And again, 'I will put My trust in Him.' And again, 'Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me.'"

There is so much about me, my thoughts, my actions, and my inactions that He could have cause to be ashamed of. But I am a gift from the Father to the Son; accepted in the Beloved! Paul wrote to the Romans that "Christ also accepted us to the glory of the God" On my own there is nothing about me that would make me a gift worth giving or receiving. But by His grace He has made me a new creature in Christ. I have been clothed with His righteousness and in Christ alone find myself having worth.

Certainly we have taken note that the Son trusts the Father explicitly. The beloved Apostle John recorded these words of the Savior, "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out". He trusts the Father in what He has given Him. Yes, we "are all from one Father"; How special it is to be "of the household of the faith".

Short Thoughts for Today

Today's passage of scripture is from Hebrews 2:10, where the author writes, "For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings." Like so much of God's word, many thoughts are prompted by these words.

For me, the first thoughts that I have are about the first few words and then the last words of the verse; "For it was fitting for Him" and "to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings". I am quickly reminded of the psalmist's words, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD." I do not suppose that we would have determined that it was "fitting" for Him to be perfected through sufferings. Fitting for the One "for whom are all things, and through whom are all things".

And I so much appreciate that I am among the "many sons" He has brought to glory. I could not have come to this place on my own. I had neither the knowledge of this place of glory nor the desire to seek such a place. But the author of my salvation desired to bring me there. I now find myself "raised up with Him", and seated "with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus". May He be praised.

"Behold, Your Mother"

In the short time that I wish to take, I could not begin to explain the significant role that mothers have in God's sovereign plan for humanity. Their worth to a family, a society, a culture and His Church is of high value; one that I'm not sure we have come to appreciate. Their role in the local church is crucial for the health of that portion of the body of Christ that gathers there.

We often look at the many things a mother does for her children, her husband and her home as we consider her on Mother's Day. Because their role is instrumental, their work is great and often seems never ending. I would suggest that they are high on our enemies list of targets to attack. May we pray without ceasing for them, encourage them and assist them where we can.
I would like to look at two verses of scripture to consider a couple of thoughts regarding these special women.

In Paul's second letter to Timothy he wrote, "For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well". There should be no doubt in our minds that Timothy's mother had a profound influence in his life. She may have worked tirelessly, like so many do, to care for her family day after day. But we must note that it was the "sincere faith" which "dwelt in" her that gave occasion for the inspired inclusion of her in God's Holy word. The context of the passage suggests that Timothy's mother and grandmother lived lives that the apostle seemed personally familiar with. I believe this was either first hand knowledge that Paul possessed or that it was the testimony that others gave of what was witnessed in their lives.

In John's gospel we see the Lord Jesus demonstrating His love, concern and appreciation for His mother. We see the Lord on His cross, suffering the cruel punishment of crucifixion. He had already lived a life before His mother that was absent the presence of sin. As He hangs on His cross on Calvary, we see Him doing something else that no son had ever done before. As He dies for the sins of the world He is dying for His mother's sins. But even as He does this He also demonstrates His concern for her as He prepares to return to His father.

In what I believe was a reflection of His love and appreciation for His mother, the scripture says that He spoke to the disciple whom He loved (John himself), saying,"Behold, your mother" and the word continues by telling us that "From that hour the disciple took her into his own household". As He prepared to bear the sins of the world, where He would cry out to His Father, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me?", He saw to the needs of His mother. He entrusted the care of His mother to a man of great faith and love. What more could He do to show His love and appreciation for His mother?

Father, thank you for the many women who bear the title of mother. Thank you for the mothers who are not with us anymore but continue to live on in the lives of their children and others they influenced. We acknowledge the great value that mothers have in the body of Christ, your Church, and ask that you would protect them from the enemy. Help us to do all that we can in Christ to love, support and encourage them as they serve you in this manner. We pray for those who are even now struggling in this great role, desiring to be good mothers, but finding the struggle difficult. Because their task is great, we ask that you would so move in their hearts and minds to draw them to yourself for guidance and direction. May each one find their strength in the power of your risen Son.

Short Thoughts for Today

In Hebrews 2:9 we read the following; "But we do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone."

He has been raised up and seated at the Father's right hand, but for "a little while" He had been made lower than the angels as He partook of flesh and blood. It is He who stepped out of heaven and "humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross". He was "Numbered with transgressors" but now He is crowned with glory and honor.

Its taste must have been bittersweet when, by grace, He tasted death for me. I can now rejoice in the words spoken by the Lord when He told Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die." Or perhaps, "O death, where is you victory? O death, where is your sting? By His mercy I need not taste death because by His grace He has already tasted it for me.

Short Thoughts for Today

Today's passage is found in Hebrews 2:5-8 which states, "For He did not subject to angels the world to come, concerning which we are speaking. But one has testified somewhere, saying, 'WHAT IS MAN, THAT THOU REMEMBEREST HIM? OR THE SON OF MAN, THAT THOU ART CONCERNED ABOUT HIM? THOU HAST MADE HIM FOR A LITTLE WHILE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS; THOU HAST CROWNED HIM WITH GLORY AND HONOR, AND HAST APPOINTED HIM OVER THE WORKS OF THY HANDS; THOU HAST PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET". For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him."

Men are quick to forget God or to not acknowledge Him at all. But He has remembered us. Praise God! For a while He has made them a little lower than the angels, stewards if you will, of "the works of His hands". He will not forget us and has promised to never leave or forsake us. Although He sits at the Father's right hand, He will in fact "remember us" once more. He has promised to return for His Church. One day He will call us heavenward and we shall meet Him in the air and so "we shall always be with the Lord".

Short Thoughts for Today

"For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will." Today's scripture is found in Hebrews 2:2-4 and will be the source of today's short thoughts.

The comparison is a just one. "If the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty", what about the word spoken in Christ, the One who has a higher name than the angels, the One who sits at the Father's right hand? The answer to the question posed in the verse seems simple. There is no escape "if we neglect so great a salvation" as is found in the One who takes away the sin of the world! The reality of neglecting so great a salvation is that "there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved".

The message of salvation is one that has been both heard and confirmed. In today's passage we read that God used signs, wonders and various miracles as He testified of this great salvation He has provided in His Son. I believe that you and I, and everyone who has found new life in Christ continues to declare the truth of this salvation as our lives are changed by the power of His indwelling presence; Christ in us, the hope of glory.

Short Thoughts for Today

Today we will look to Hebrews 2:1 for our short thoughts of the day. In this passage we read, "For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it". In summary, "this reason" the writer is referring to is the truth declared in the first chapter, that God has spoken through His Son, the One who possesses the more excellent name; the superior One who is seated at His right hand.

As each of us grew up, I'm sure that most of us can remember being told that we needed to pay attention to something we were being told by our parents, educators, coaches or others. As we have parented our children or have been involved in a teaching capacity ourselves, we too have most likely told others that they needed to pay attention to what we were telling them. If there were ever matters that needed and deserved our "much closer attention", it would be the things God has spoken in His Son.

There is much at stake for the believer in Christ and His Church, and so the writer says this is something that we "must" do. We must pay attention to the things that we have heard regarding the Lord Jesus Christ. We are called to "pay much closer attention" because the possibility exists for us to "drift away from it" if we choose not to.

Looking to the Lord Jesus and paying this "much closer attention" to what we have heard from God in Christ is our hope of not drifting away from it. He is our rock. He is the anchor of our soul. But make no mistake by taking His admonition lightly; we may find ourselves drifting away from the truths we have heard in Christ if we fail or neglect to pay close attention to them.

Short Thoughts for Today

The final two verses of Hebrews Chapter one each pose a question that seems to answer itself, and conclude the chapter by maintaining the theme of the Son's superiority to angels. As previously indicated, the writer is not minimizing the role or the importance of angels. He is emphasizing the exalted position of the Son. In verses 13 and 14 we read, "But 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 render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?"

There is only one invitation to sit at the Father's right hand because there is only One who is worthy to sit there. There may be myriads of angels, both good and bad, but none were ever asked or directed to sit in this place. It was a placed reserved for the One who drank of "the cup". It is the Son who sits at the Father's right hand. We can only marvel at the truth that He has also "seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus".

In the final verse of the chapter we see a glimpse of the special role angels have in His sovereign plan. They are ministering spirits who are sent out by the One who is higher than they, their creator. They serve Him. He sends them out to render service; service to ones such as you and I, heirs of salvation. No, the angels are not worthy to sit in the place occupied by the Son, but they worship Him as they go out ministering as He directs.

Short Thoughts for Today

As the writer continues to utilize old testament scripture, in Hebrews 1:11-12 we read, "They will perish, but you remain; And they will become old like a garment, and like a mantle you will roll them up; Like a garment they will also be changed but you are the same, and your years will not come to an end". Eternal and immutable is our God!

Countless are the things that have perished and will yet perish. What does not become old, wearing down and wearing out? All the things that surround us are subject to the laws of God's creation. I'm referring to matters such as the law of friction, etc. Here on the Oregon Coast, with our damp climate and close proximity to the ocean, one can see the effects of such things as rust and corrosion all around you. Most of us who are over 30 years of age know first hand (feet, knees and back also) the effect of growing older and the wearing out of this earthly body.

And what around us is not susceptible to change? We live in a world of change. For good or for bad, people change, governments change, relationships change, laws change, societies change, etc.. We may or may not be able to comprehend the blessing that is ours in our unchangeable God! He is the only constant in our lives. He is not affected by friction, moth and rust, corrosion, changing governments, new thoughts, the changing morals of men, influences of friends or pressures from foes, etc...

As simply put in our passage today; He remains "the same" and His "years will not come to an end". Yes, in a world full of change, He is the "same yesterday and today and forever". How thankful we should be!