The passage of scripture for today's "short thoughts" will be Hebrews 11:16 where we read, "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 a city for them." As the author continues to speak of the Old Testament saints he has previously named, he tells of a desire they had that gave great influence to the lives they lived.
Without a doubt, there are dispensational differences in the promises that belong to the believer in Christ and those belonging to the saints the Hebrew author has named in this chapter. But I believe we find some commonalities in our "desires". One of their's was a "better country", "a heavenly one". A heavenly home is clearly one of our desires. Today's verse says that God Himself has prepared a city for these saints the author writes of.
Jesus spoke of the many dwelling places in His "Father's house". We have His word that He is preparing a place for us and that He will come again and recieve us unto Himself. This place He has prepared for us, a heavenly home within His Father's house, will be a glorious reallity for each believer in Christ one day. May our hope of heaven and the special dwelling place the Savior has prepared for us greatly influence our life on earth. By His grace may it help us to be people of great faith in our great God!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Short Thoughts for Today
Today's short thoughts will be from Hebrews 11:15, where we find great insight into fighting the good fight of faith. The Hebrew author writes, "And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return." Oh, how important are the things that we think about; the things we choose to occupy our minds with.
Opportunity to return to the world and its ways is all around us. Look to the left and it is there. Look to the right and it is there also. Look behind you and you will see that opportunity is there as well. But we can avoid these "opportunities" by "fixing our eyes on Jesus", "looking for new heavens and a new earth" and by "seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." Opportunity to return to the world, that "country" from which we have come out of, our "Egypt" if you will, is not there. Praise God. Oh, the wisdom of our gracious Lord! Looking unto Jesus is the good way, the safe way, the only way for the child of God.
What then shall we think on? What will we occupy our minds with? In Philippians 4:8 the Apostle Paul wrote, "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Nothing is more true, more honorable, more right, of greater purity, more lovely, of greater consideration, of more excellence or worthy of any greater praise, than Jesus. This is what we are called to "dwell on". Dwell on Jesus. Dwell on the truths of His word and His wondrous ways. This is one of God's gracious provisions to keep us from the "opportunities" that are all around us, beckoning us to return to the world.
Opportunity to return to the world and its ways is all around us. Look to the left and it is there. Look to the right and it is there also. Look behind you and you will see that opportunity is there as well. But we can avoid these "opportunities" by "fixing our eyes on Jesus", "looking for new heavens and a new earth" and by "seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." Opportunity to return to the world, that "country" from which we have come out of, our "Egypt" if you will, is not there. Praise God. Oh, the wisdom of our gracious Lord! Looking unto Jesus is the good way, the safe way, the only way for the child of God.
What then shall we think on? What will we occupy our minds with? In Philippians 4:8 the Apostle Paul wrote, "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Nothing is more true, more honorable, more right, of greater purity, more lovely, of greater consideration, of more excellence or worthy of any greater praise, than Jesus. This is what we are called to "dwell on". Dwell on Jesus. Dwell on the truths of His word and His wondrous ways. This is one of God's gracious provisions to keep us from the "opportunities" that are all around us, beckoning us to return to the world.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Short Thoughts for Today
The passage of scripture for today's "short thoughts" will be Hebrews 11: 13-14. Speaking of those who had lived lives of faith, the writer is inspired to proclaim, "All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. "
My first thought is to praise God for the grace He has bestowed upon me. If for some reason I were to die today, I too would be counted amongst those who "died in faith". To echo the words of the great hymn, "My faith has found a resting place, not in device or creed. I trust the ever living One, His wounds for me shall plead. I need no other argument, I need no other plea, it is enough that Jesus died and that He died for me."
Like those before us, we are amongst the blessed who have both seen and welcomed "from a distance" our promise of being with Christ in heaven one day. The fulfillment of our promises may lie before us but we can rest in the many positional truths that God has given us assurance of in His word. As we read in Ephesians 2:6, He has already "raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
Perhaps here is my struggle. Confessing that I am a stranger and exile on the earth. Oh, sure, I understand the truth of what that means but have I confessed it in my heart. Do I only give this truth words from my mouth? Am I "seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God"? May the Lord help us to be those found "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith".
A country of our own, one not of this world, is a focal point of His promise to us. "Home" is being "absent from the body" and being "at home with the Lord". He will fulfill His promise to prepare a place for us and to come again and receive us to Himself, that where He is, we may be also. It is here that we "shall always be with the Lord".
My first thought is to praise God for the grace He has bestowed upon me. If for some reason I were to die today, I too would be counted amongst those who "died in faith". To echo the words of the great hymn, "My faith has found a resting place, not in device or creed. I trust the ever living One, His wounds for me shall plead. I need no other argument, I need no other plea, it is enough that Jesus died and that He died for me."
Like those before us, we are amongst the blessed who have both seen and welcomed "from a distance" our promise of being with Christ in heaven one day. The fulfillment of our promises may lie before us but we can rest in the many positional truths that God has given us assurance of in His word. As we read in Ephesians 2:6, He has already "raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
Perhaps here is my struggle. Confessing that I am a stranger and exile on the earth. Oh, sure, I understand the truth of what that means but have I confessed it in my heart. Do I only give this truth words from my mouth? Am I "seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God"? May the Lord help us to be those found "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith".
A country of our own, one not of this world, is a focal point of His promise to us. "Home" is being "absent from the body" and being "at home with the Lord". He will fulfill His promise to prepare a place for us and to come again and receive us to Himself, that where He is, we may be also. It is here that we "shall always be with the Lord".
A Quick Note and Prayer Request
Although I have been doing much pondering, I have been doing less writing than I would like. The business of life and the choices we make often keep us from doing that which God would have us do. Pray that I am able to put into words the thoughts I feel lead to share and that I would better utilize the time God provides for me to do so. Oh, to be a better steward of the graces He bestows.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Short Thoughts for Today
The scripture for today's short thoughts will be Hebrews 11: 11-12, where the author writes, "By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendents AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE."
Sarah is certainly not the only woman mentioned in the Bible who experienced difficulty with conceiving a child. A "barren womb" has been the burden of many women throughout history and continues to be a reality that is faced by women today. As it often is, we do not know why, but Sarah lacked the ability to conceive. I imagine that this had troubled her heart throughout her "childbearing" years. But in addition to having lacked the ability to conceive during childbearing years, we find that she was now "beyond the proper time of life". Adding further to her difficult situation, Abraham was now old and described as one who was "as good as dead".
But we must praise God that here is no "proper time of life" for faith. We are not given an age or time limit for faithfulness. It is proper always to believe God! As I have previously emphasized, Sarah's faith in God was based on His faithfulness to His promises. Only God can turn barrenness into "many descendents", numbered like the stars of heaven or the sand of the seashores. Oh, may we never forget that His word is His oath. As the psalmist wrote, He is a God of "exceeding faithfulness".
Sarah is certainly not the only woman mentioned in the Bible who experienced difficulty with conceiving a child. A "barren womb" has been the burden of many women throughout history and continues to be a reality that is faced by women today. As it often is, we do not know why, but Sarah lacked the ability to conceive. I imagine that this had troubled her heart throughout her "childbearing" years. But in addition to having lacked the ability to conceive during childbearing years, we find that she was now "beyond the proper time of life". Adding further to her difficult situation, Abraham was now old and described as one who was "as good as dead".
But we must praise God that here is no "proper time of life" for faith. We are not given an age or time limit for faithfulness. It is proper always to believe God! As I have previously emphasized, Sarah's faith in God was based on His faithfulness to His promises. Only God can turn barrenness into "many descendents", numbered like the stars of heaven or the sand of the seashores. Oh, may we never forget that His word is His oath. As the psalmist wrote, He is a God of "exceeding faithfulness".
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Short Thoughts for Today
Today's short thoughts will come from Hebrews 11:9-10 where the author continues to speak of Abraham as he writes, "By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God."
Abraham lived a life of faith here on earth because of the faith he had in God's promise of a hope that was not of this world. He was a tent dweller, which seems to an illustration worth our consideration. Never permanently connected to this world and ready to go as God directs. Knowing that this world is not our home but that our home is with the Lord where, although we are seated in Him positionally, we will one day "bear the image of the heavenly."
Certainly Abraham has been used by God to be a testimony of faith to a countless number of persons who have come after him. But I appreciate what we see in today's verse. He dwelt in tents "with Isaac and Jacob." He lived a life of faith before many but I find it important to note that he did so before his family, namely here, his son and his grandson. What a privilege is ours to testify of the One who is always faithful as we put our trust in Him before our children, our grandchildren and all who God may bring into our lives.
May we learn from Abraham and his life of faith. As we live on this earth in anticipation of our Lord's return and the place He has prepared for us, may we have the spirit of a "tent dweller". May we not become too settled and connected to this world that our hope of eternity is clouded by the things of the world. May we have a spirit of availability and readiness to go as the Lord directs in our lives. May we say in our hearts, "Thy will be done." And may we see the importance of living lives of faith before those who follow after us. It is not a guarantee that they will live lives of faith but much can be said about the way God can use the faith of one to impact the lives of others.
Abraham lived a life of faith here on earth because of the faith he had in God's promise of a hope that was not of this world. He was a tent dweller, which seems to an illustration worth our consideration. Never permanently connected to this world and ready to go as God directs. Knowing that this world is not our home but that our home is with the Lord where, although we are seated in Him positionally, we will one day "bear the image of the heavenly."
Certainly Abraham has been used by God to be a testimony of faith to a countless number of persons who have come after him. But I appreciate what we see in today's verse. He dwelt in tents "with Isaac and Jacob." He lived a life of faith before many but I find it important to note that he did so before his family, namely here, his son and his grandson. What a privilege is ours to testify of the One who is always faithful as we put our trust in Him before our children, our grandchildren and all who God may bring into our lives.
May we learn from Abraham and his life of faith. As we live on this earth in anticipation of our Lord's return and the place He has prepared for us, may we have the spirit of a "tent dweller". May we not become too settled and connected to this world that our hope of eternity is clouded by the things of the world. May we have a spirit of availability and readiness to go as the Lord directs in our lives. May we say in our hearts, "Thy will be done." And may we see the importance of living lives of faith before those who follow after us. It is not a guarantee that they will live lives of faith but much can be said about the way God can use the faith of one to impact the lives of others.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)