In Hebrews 10:23, the author continues with another "let us" statement when he is inspired to write, "Let us hold fast the confession of hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful". This verse will be the basis for today's short thoughts. As the Hebrew believers were, so are we challenged with these words written so many years ago. We are called to believe and trust Him. In our confession of hope, He calls us to hold fast to it without wavering. The passage seems to acknowledge our tendency, in the weakness of the flesh, to waiver. But we are admonished towards steadfastness. The key? To remain mindful of His faithfulness.
Perhaps there is nothing that gives the believer hope and sustains that hope more than the faithfulness of God. Without question and without exception, God is faithful! He has promised us etemallife. We have it. He promised to send the Helper. He sent Him. He promised to build His church. He is building it. He promised that He would prepare a place for us. This special place awaits us. He promised to come again and receive us unto Himself. That day draws nearer each hour. He promised that there will come a day when we will be with Him and "so shall we ever be with the Lord". Oh, what a hope is ours!
In our "conviction of things not seen", let us hold fast our confession of hope. The hope that we have in Christ and the summary of all truth that is found in Him. May He be our reason for steadfastness of faith.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Short Thoughts for Today
In Hebrews 10:19-22, we read, "Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."
My short thoughts for today could be summarized by the short chorus, "Only by the blood of the Lamb." Or as the great hymn truthfully proclaims, "No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus".
Brothers and sisters in Christ, we may enter the holy place by the precious blood of Jesus, but for reasons I will not attempt to name, I fear we are often neglectful of His gracious invitation. When did you last enter this place? How long has it been since you last journeyed to "the throne of grace"? He bids us come and has given us His word that we will "find grace to help in time of need". Is today not that time? Will tomorrow some how be void of our need for His helpful grace? Oh, don't worry if you go there often. We cannot exhaust the grace that is found at this place. Only be concerned that you not become a stranger there by staying away too long and making only infrequent visits.
So, "by the blood of Jesus", enter the holy place. The giver of grace desires to give grace to His children. Grace upon grace!
My short thoughts for today could be summarized by the short chorus, "Only by the blood of the Lamb." Or as the great hymn truthfully proclaims, "No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus".
Brothers and sisters in Christ, we may enter the holy place by the precious blood of Jesus, but for reasons I will not attempt to name, I fear we are often neglectful of His gracious invitation. When did you last enter this place? How long has it been since you last journeyed to "the throne of grace"? He bids us come and has given us His word that we will "find grace to help in time of need". Is today not that time? Will tomorrow some how be void of our need for His helpful grace? Oh, don't worry if you go there often. We cannot exhaust the grace that is found at this place. Only be concerned that you not become a stranger there by staying away too long and making only infrequent visits.
So, "by the blood of Jesus", enter the holy place. The giver of grace desires to give grace to His children. Grace upon grace!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Short Thoughts for Today
Today's short thoughts will come from Hebrews 10:14-18 where we read, "For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, "THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART, AND UPON THEIR MIND WILL I WRITE THEM," He then says, "AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE." Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin."
There is much to say about the content of these verses but in my "short thoughts" format, I will attempt to keep my comments brief. If you find yourself amongst the blessed; those who have been set apart by the work of the Holy Spirit; a recipient of God's lavished grace; praise God that you have been perfected for all time! This truth testifies to His effectual work and the rest that we find in Christ.
Consider our sins and lawless deeds. I could not begin to count the number that would have my name alongside them as their owner. Simply put, since my entrance into this world, sins and lawless deeds have been mine in abundance. Believer in Christ, I am not suggesting that I dwell on mine or that you dwell on yours. But do glory in what He has done on our behalf. He has purposed to remember them no more! This is not the result of a God who has grown old and forgetful. It is the result of a God who has given His Son to be our sin bearer. In Christ, we find hope that God has purposed to remember our sins and lawless deeds no more!
In Romans 4:7-8, the Apostle Paul wrote of the blessedness of forgiveness. Quoting from Psalm 32, the apostle wrote, "BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED, BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT." The efficacy of Christ's offering for sin is etched in the forgiveness that is found in Him. As many as my sins and lawless deeds have been, I am forgiven in Christ. Yes, I am a blessed man! Hear what the scripture says believers in Christ. Know the completeness of your forgiveness. "Where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin." It is finished! He is seated! Believer, you are forgiven!
There is much to say about the content of these verses but in my "short thoughts" format, I will attempt to keep my comments brief. If you find yourself amongst the blessed; those who have been set apart by the work of the Holy Spirit; a recipient of God's lavished grace; praise God that you have been perfected for all time! This truth testifies to His effectual work and the rest that we find in Christ.
Consider our sins and lawless deeds. I could not begin to count the number that would have my name alongside them as their owner. Simply put, since my entrance into this world, sins and lawless deeds have been mine in abundance. Believer in Christ, I am not suggesting that I dwell on mine or that you dwell on yours. But do glory in what He has done on our behalf. He has purposed to remember them no more! This is not the result of a God who has grown old and forgetful. It is the result of a God who has given His Son to be our sin bearer. In Christ, we find hope that God has purposed to remember our sins and lawless deeds no more!
In Romans 4:7-8, the Apostle Paul wrote of the blessedness of forgiveness. Quoting from Psalm 32, the apostle wrote, "BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED, BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT." The efficacy of Christ's offering for sin is etched in the forgiveness that is found in Him. As many as my sins and lawless deeds have been, I am forgiven in Christ. Yes, I am a blessed man! Hear what the scripture says believers in Christ. Know the completeness of your forgiveness. "Where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin." It is finished! He is seated! Believer, you are forgiven!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Short Thoughts for Today
In Hebrews 10:10-13, we read, "By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, waiting from that time onward UNTIL HIS ENEMIES BE MADE A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET." These four verses will be the basis for today's short thoughts.
It may seem repetitive but its repetitiveness is based on its importance. It is reflective of God's desire to impart the truth firmly in our hearts and minds. ONCE FOR ALL declares the scriptures! Do not doubt nor minimize this truth of Christ. As the author is inspired to write, by Christ and Christ alone are we sanctified.
There was no "sitting down" for the priests who offered gifts and sacrifices according to the Law. There could be no declaration proceeding from their mouths, saying, "It is finished!" No, quite the opposite, they stood daily ministering and offering the same sacrifices "time after time". The "same sacrifices" they offered could not take away sin. But they rightly pointed to and anticipated the one sacrifice that would do so for all time. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ Himself. In Him we find our sins have been taken away!
It may seem repetitive but its repetitiveness is based on its importance. It is reflective of God's desire to impart the truth firmly in our hearts and minds. ONCE FOR ALL declares the scriptures! Do not doubt nor minimize this truth of Christ. As the author is inspired to write, by Christ and Christ alone are we sanctified.
There was no "sitting down" for the priests who offered gifts and sacrifices according to the Law. There could be no declaration proceeding from their mouths, saying, "It is finished!" No, quite the opposite, they stood daily ministering and offering the same sacrifices "time after time". The "same sacrifices" they offered could not take away sin. But they rightly pointed to and anticipated the one sacrifice that would do so for all time. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ Himself. In Him we find our sins have been taken away!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Short Thoughts for Today
As I resume posting some short thoughts as I blog through the wonderful Book of Hebrews, today's passage will be in Hebrews 10:5-9 where we read, "Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, "SACRIFICES AND OFFERINGS YOU HAVE NOT DESIRED, BUT A BODY YOU HAVE PREPARED FOR ME; IN WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS AND sacrifices FOR SIN YOU HAVE NOT TAKEN PLEASURE. THEN I SAID, 'BEHOLD, I HAVE COME (IN THE SCROLL OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME) TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD.'" After saying above, "SACRIFICES AND OFFERINGS AND WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS AND sacrifices FOR SIN YOU HAVE NOT DESIRED, NOR HAVE YOU TAKEN PLEASURE in them" (which are offered according to the Law), then He said, BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL." He takes away the first in order to establish the second."
The holy and righteous One found no pleasure in the sacrifices and offerings which were offered under the Law. Lest we stumble in our thoughts for even a moment and think that He had made some "mistake", we ought to remind ourselves that they were not intended for this purpose. He found pleasure and satisfaction in that which they foretold. That which they looked forward too. The One who came into the world, saying "I come to do Thy will, O God". That which was offered according to grace and not law. The One the scriptures attest to as having always done the things that were pleasing to His Father. Jesus. The beloved Son of the Father. Pleasure was taken in Him. Pleasure is still found in Him and those who are in Him. May He be praised!
The holy and righteous One found no pleasure in the sacrifices and offerings which were offered under the Law. Lest we stumble in our thoughts for even a moment and think that He had made some "mistake", we ought to remind ourselves that they were not intended for this purpose. He found pleasure and satisfaction in that which they foretold. That which they looked forward too. The One who came into the world, saying "I come to do Thy will, O God". That which was offered according to grace and not law. The One the scriptures attest to as having always done the things that were pleasing to His Father. Jesus. The beloved Son of the Father. Pleasure was taken in Him. Pleasure is still found in Him and those who are in Him. May He be praised!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Press On!
If I had to summarize a New Year's thought or admonition in two words, I would say, "press on!" As you look to a new year in Christ, as given to you by His grace, "press on!" As you contemplate your relationships with your spouse, your children, your family and your friends, "press on!" As you consider your involvement in you local church, your ministry, your brothers and sisters in Christ, your neighbors, your employment, your employees, "press on!"
We find the Apostle Paul using these words twice in Philippians 3:12-14, where he is inspired to write, "Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." As we look to a new year; as we are challenged to "press on" in our faith, to know Him better, to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, let us not miss this important point presented in this passage of scripture.
As Paul wrote of pressing on he noted that a condition of doing so was "forgetting what lies behind". I think God intentionally left out a list of "what lies behind" but I believe Paul was referring to those things that cause us to stumble in our walk with the Lord. The list would be quite long and each of us could find those things that have or perhaps are hindering our walk in Christ. What lies behind for you may not be that which lies behind for your brother or sister in Christ. But they are the things that can upset one's faith. The things that will cause difficulties in our relationships with those around us. Our family, our friends, our employers, our employees, our co-workers, our neighbors, our church families.
This "forgetting" can be difficult and I will say that it cannot be accomplished in the flesh. This is not the sort of forgetfulness that some find quite easy to come by in their lives. Forgetting your car keys. Forgetting to take the trash out. Forgetting something at the store. Forgetting someone's name. We all know this sort of forgetfulness and how prone we can be to practice it.
But the "forgetting" referred to here by Paul is active, determined and purposeful, and can only be accomplished as we walk in the Spirit. It is the spiritual warfare that we are engaged in that makes this sort of forgetting difficult. The enemy will be quick to bring that which "lies behind" to your mind and will do so frequently in hopes of causing you to stumble. The scripture speaks of this striving, this incompatibility, this opposition. Believers and unbelievers. Righteousness and lawlessness. Light and darkness. Christ and Belial. Spirit and flesh. Our gracious and merciful God so works in our lives that we might "share His holiness". But our enemy's hope is to distract us from a devotion to the Lord; to lead us "astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ".
Our enemy is intent on destroying all that is good and all that brings glory to the Lord Jesus. Our marriages. Our families. Our friendships. Our local congregations. The body of Christ. The enemy is well pleased with divorce, broken family relationships, broken friendships, lost reputations, discouragement and disharmony in the body of Christ. There may be something that you are not free to forget. Let me explain. It may be that the Helper desires to bring you to remembrance of something that you need to confess before Him. Perhaps He is bringing you to a place of Godly sorrow as He graciously leads you to repentance. Perhaps an apology is in order, I do not know. But after a wrong has been righted, press on and "do not give the devil an opportunity".
Through prayer, His word, His grace and His power we can forget those things that wage war against our soul and hinder our walk with the Savior. Know for certain that our enemy will use our rememberance of these things against us and against those we care for. Our family. Our friends. Our neighbors. Our church. The body of Christ. As we consider "forgetting what lies behind", may we seek help from the One who remembers no more our sins and lawless deeds. And in Christ, press on!
We find the Apostle Paul using these words twice in Philippians 3:12-14, where he is inspired to write, "Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." As we look to a new year; as we are challenged to "press on" in our faith, to know Him better, to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, let us not miss this important point presented in this passage of scripture.
As Paul wrote of pressing on he noted that a condition of doing so was "forgetting what lies behind". I think God intentionally left out a list of "what lies behind" but I believe Paul was referring to those things that cause us to stumble in our walk with the Lord. The list would be quite long and each of us could find those things that have or perhaps are hindering our walk in Christ. What lies behind for you may not be that which lies behind for your brother or sister in Christ. But they are the things that can upset one's faith. The things that will cause difficulties in our relationships with those around us. Our family, our friends, our employers, our employees, our co-workers, our neighbors, our church families.
This "forgetting" can be difficult and I will say that it cannot be accomplished in the flesh. This is not the sort of forgetfulness that some find quite easy to come by in their lives. Forgetting your car keys. Forgetting to take the trash out. Forgetting something at the store. Forgetting someone's name. We all know this sort of forgetfulness and how prone we can be to practice it.
But the "forgetting" referred to here by Paul is active, determined and purposeful, and can only be accomplished as we walk in the Spirit. It is the spiritual warfare that we are engaged in that makes this sort of forgetting difficult. The enemy will be quick to bring that which "lies behind" to your mind and will do so frequently in hopes of causing you to stumble. The scripture speaks of this striving, this incompatibility, this opposition. Believers and unbelievers. Righteousness and lawlessness. Light and darkness. Christ and Belial. Spirit and flesh. Our gracious and merciful God so works in our lives that we might "share His holiness". But our enemy's hope is to distract us from a devotion to the Lord; to lead us "astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ".
Our enemy is intent on destroying all that is good and all that brings glory to the Lord Jesus. Our marriages. Our families. Our friendships. Our local congregations. The body of Christ. The enemy is well pleased with divorce, broken family relationships, broken friendships, lost reputations, discouragement and disharmony in the body of Christ. There may be something that you are not free to forget. Let me explain. It may be that the Helper desires to bring you to remembrance of something that you need to confess before Him. Perhaps He is bringing you to a place of Godly sorrow as He graciously leads you to repentance. Perhaps an apology is in order, I do not know. But after a wrong has been righted, press on and "do not give the devil an opportunity".
Through prayer, His word, His grace and His power we can forget those things that wage war against our soul and hinder our walk with the Savior. Know for certain that our enemy will use our rememberance of these things against us and against those we care for. Our family. Our friends. Our neighbors. Our church. The body of Christ. As we consider "forgetting what lies behind", may we seek help from the One who remembers no more our sins and lawless deeds. And in Christ, press on!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas!
I recently read a news story where government officials in Sonoma County, California had ordered that stars and other religious emblems be removed from Christmas trees in all government buildings within the county. They took this action following the complaint of a citizen that an angel atop a Christmas tree in the lobby of a county office was "extremely offensive" and part of the "cult" of Christianity. These sorts of stories are not new and seem to make the headlines more and more each year.
Public displays of manger scenes and other "Christmas symbols" may be forbidden and even private displays of the same may be frowned upon. Our government may offer a variety of "holiday stamps" to choose from as you send your "holiday greetings and gifts". In the religion of political correctness, many will wish you a "happy holidays" as they determine to not use that word, "Christmas" or that name, "Jesus".
But rejoice brothers and sisters in Christ! Try as some might, as the waters cannot be removed from the oceans, Christ can never be removed from Christmas! He is Christmas. The angelic announcement, Mary and Joseph, the virgin birth, the shepherds in the field, the manger scene, the wise men; these are forever truths of human history. Questioning or mocking these cannot detract from their truthfulness. Political correctness may rule the day but all men and governments are still subject to His rule. He is forever sovereign over the affairs of men.
Although futile in their efforts, these attempts to remove Christ from Christmas have their origin in the very purpose of His birth that we celebrate at Christmas. Sin. As recorded in Matthew 1:21, "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins". Salvation from sin was the purpose of His birth. There was and is, a necessity to be saved from sin. Sin is all around us. Sin is on every side. Look to the right or to the left and it will be there. It matters not if you look forwards or backwards, sin will be there. It is within and without. It may be subtle and overt, hidden or exposed.
But the story of Christmas is a story of salvation. It is the story of Emmanuel; God with us. God in a manger. In Luke's Gospel we read, "for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord". Salvation from sin. In Acts 4:12 Luke was also inspired to write, "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.". The significance of the Christ of Christmas is seen here.
The story of Christmas will be told this year and next. It will be told worldwide and it will be told year round. This One who laid in a manger is the One through whom "all things came into being"; the One who holds together all things. He was "God with us". The baby, whose birth we celebrate, grew to become the man we are called to imitate. He is the "only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth".
As we observe a lost world continue to proclaim that there is "no room" for Him in their hearts, may this final thought cause us to pray and perhaps weep for them. The world can never remove Christ from Christmas but one day Christmas will be removed from the world. May we continue to boldly proclaim the Christmas story! "For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord". Merry Christmas! Yes, Merry Christmas.
Public displays of manger scenes and other "Christmas symbols" may be forbidden and even private displays of the same may be frowned upon. Our government may offer a variety of "holiday stamps" to choose from as you send your "holiday greetings and gifts". In the religion of political correctness, many will wish you a "happy holidays" as they determine to not use that word, "Christmas" or that name, "Jesus".
But rejoice brothers and sisters in Christ! Try as some might, as the waters cannot be removed from the oceans, Christ can never be removed from Christmas! He is Christmas. The angelic announcement, Mary and Joseph, the virgin birth, the shepherds in the field, the manger scene, the wise men; these are forever truths of human history. Questioning or mocking these cannot detract from their truthfulness. Political correctness may rule the day but all men and governments are still subject to His rule. He is forever sovereign over the affairs of men.
Although futile in their efforts, these attempts to remove Christ from Christmas have their origin in the very purpose of His birth that we celebrate at Christmas. Sin. As recorded in Matthew 1:21, "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins". Salvation from sin was the purpose of His birth. There was and is, a necessity to be saved from sin. Sin is all around us. Sin is on every side. Look to the right or to the left and it will be there. It matters not if you look forwards or backwards, sin will be there. It is within and without. It may be subtle and overt, hidden or exposed.
But the story of Christmas is a story of salvation. It is the story of Emmanuel; God with us. God in a manger. In Luke's Gospel we read, "for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord". Salvation from sin. In Acts 4:12 Luke was also inspired to write, "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.". The significance of the Christ of Christmas is seen here.
The story of Christmas will be told this year and next. It will be told worldwide and it will be told year round. This One who laid in a manger is the One through whom "all things came into being"; the One who holds together all things. He was "God with us". The baby, whose birth we celebrate, grew to become the man we are called to imitate. He is the "only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth".
As we observe a lost world continue to proclaim that there is "no room" for Him in their hearts, may this final thought cause us to pray and perhaps weep for them. The world can never remove Christ from Christmas but one day Christmas will be removed from the world. May we continue to boldly proclaim the Christmas story! "For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord". Merry Christmas! Yes, Merry Christmas.
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