Hebrews 4 - 5.10.2024

Scripture - Pick one verse that stood out to you.

Hebrew 4: 1-3
Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,

“So I declared on oath in my anger,
    ‘They shall never enter my rest.’”

And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. 

Observation - What about this verse stands out to you?

The words, “Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, [...]” is what stood out to me. I had to re-read Hebrews 3 and this what stood out to me:

Hebrews 3:12-19
See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. As has just been said:

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

Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness? And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

Application - How will you apply this to your life?

Thank you for sharing with me what I need to do Lord. I do admit that my heart has become hardened over the years. Yet here You are in your word providing a warning and a remedy. I must encourage other believers in Christ, and other believers in Christ need to encourage me—daily. Yikes. I am going to start with today. I will encourage another believer today.

Prayer - Write out a prayer.

My Lord, help me to develop a better routine in my life. Help me start today right now. Help me not to turn away from you and help my belief/faith/love in You to grow. Please, help to soften my heart. Help me to encourage my near and far family in Christ daily! Help me to stand firm in my faith like Moses. Help me to be quick in my faith like Joshua and Caleb. Help me to develop that defense and armor that keeps sin and unbelief as far away from me as possible, Lord!!

Hebrews 3 - 5.9.24

Hebrews 3:12-14

S – 12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14 We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.

O – This chapter provides a compelling contrast between Jesus and Moses, emphasizing Christ’s supreme role as our High Priest. By connecting Old Testament narratives with Christ’s teachings, the chapter delivers profound insights into faith, disbelief, and the promise of God’s rest.  Jesus, our high priest, is superior to Moses and all others. His faithfulness is our model, and His promises are true. We are called not just to acknowledge this, but to respond with steadfast faith, encouragement to others, and a heart that remains soft to the whispers of God.

A – Not believing that God is supreme over everyone, and everything, is a choice. If someone does not believe God exists, it is not that they “can’t” believe in Him, it’s that they choose not to. They are basically calling Him a liar and stating that His Word is untrue. That is where sin lies.

We can all be discouraged at times, maybe lacking in our faith for a season, but we can’t camp out there, and it is our job as Christian brothers and sisters to make sure no man is left behind. To do that, we must be in constant contact with our brothers and sisters. A hug and a “Good Morning,” on a Sunday morning aren’t going to cut it.  We must be in constant fellowship ….eating together, taking walks together, praying together, doing life together and holding each other accountable. Holding each other up when we are too weak to do it ourselves. Whether that be emotionally, spiritually, and/or even physically.

Exodus 17:12  When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.

Exhort one another daily.  If we will strengthen our faith and avoid the ruin of unbelief, we must be around other Christians who will exhort – that is, seriously encourage us. This shows our responsibility to both give exhortation and to receive exhortation, and to exhort one another daily. It is an easy thing to judge and criticize, but that is not exhortation. If you are out of fellowship altogether, you can’t exhort or be exhorted. When we are out of fellowship there is much less around us to keep us from becoming hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (Spurgeon)

P – Lord, I pray I will never let one of my brother’s or sister’s hearts be hardened by not checking in with them, by being lost in my own life struggles, or by not being purposeful in my time spent with them. I thank you for those you have placed in my “family” who look out for me by ensuring that I am right with you, that I am encouraged, that I am held up in my weakness. I pray that after a moment of despair or self-pity, I, we, reign it in and get back to the ONE thing that is best…the ONE person who is superior to everyone and everything else! Lord may I never sin against you by not believing you ARE who you say you are! May I respond with steadfast faith today and always and help me hear the whispers of Your heart. 

Amen!

- Crystal Flory

Psalm 136 - 5.8.24

Scripture

Psalm 136:1

 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.

Observation

Psalms 136 is a song. Most likely the priest would call out a statement about God (the first half of each verse) and the people would respond, “His love (or mercy) endures forever.” The first three verses speak to who God is. Verses 4-9 speak of His wonders. The rest of the book describes what He has done for His people. The Psalm ends with a command to give Him the thanks that He deserves.

I read it described as, “It seems that the Psalmist is exploring the parameters of God’s love and rule, and he finds that there are no limits to it. There are no limits to the merciful lovingkindness of God.”

Application

I am challenged by this Psalm to focus on God’s love and mercy and actively explore new ways to thank Him. I want to learn to respond to whatever comes my way with His love endures forever. When I hear my grandchildren laugh – His love endures forever. When I am disappointed or offended – His love endures forever. When I get a promotion at work – His love endures forever. When I am dealing with a health issue – His love endures forever.

· The past, present, or future will not end His mercy.

· The storms of life will not end His mercy.

· Distance from loved ones will not end His mercy.

· Death itself will not end His mercy.

· God’s never-ending mercy should make us merciful to others.

· God’s never-ending mercy should make us hopeful for others.

· God’s never-ending mercy should make us hopeful for ourselves.

Charles Spurgeon

Prayer

Thank you to my amazing, almighty, eternal, powerful, compassionate, and merciful God. Thank you for your love for me. May my answer always be – Your love and mercy endure forever.

- Debbie Dunn