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Hebrews___5

Scripture  Hebrews 5:12-14  For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.  But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Observation-What does it say?  In the beginning part of this chapter, the author is highlighting Jesus’ role as our great high priest.  Through Jesus, and his sacrifice on the cross, our debt for sin has been paid.  He fulfilled the old testament law requirements of sacrifice for sins, once and for all.  He is the perfect high priest appointed for God as mediator for all time.  It is through Jesus we have our freedom from the law. At the end of the chapter and into the next, the author shows some frustration for the immaturity of his audience.  They have gotten stuck in a rut, which isn’t only hindering their growth, but also puts them in danger of falling away from the faith altogether.  A remedy to this is discipline in searching and studying God’s word. Understanding-What does it mean?  My commute to work is just a little bit under an hour.  Having this much time can feel like a bit of a waste, so I like to listen to educational based podcasts, so I feel like I am making good use of the two hours a day.  I recently started listening to a podcast by a former Navy SEAL.  One of his catch phrases is, “Discipline equals freedom.”  It seems contradictory, as the idea of discipline evokes the thought of being restricted to something.  Almost as though you have a ball-and-chain stuck to your ankle.  But, he points out the fact that pushing through times of adversity, becoming a master of our circumstances, allows us to become stronger versions of ourselves.  Discipline involves having a clear goal as to where you are going.     Athletes attempting to qualify for the Olympics have a clear sight on their goal.  Despite going through days where they don’t feel the desire to work out, they discipline themselves to their cause.  Paul gives us a similar charge.  Having our sights set clearly on spending eternity with Jesus, he encourages us to have discipline in our spiritual walk.  To the Corinthian church he writes “24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I [l]discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
Life Application:  Jesus, in this world of instant gratification and convenience, help me to search daily for the narrow road.  Help me to dig down into the trenches of this spiritual warfare we live in.  Help me to hold the line.  When I have run my race and reached the finish line, I not only want to hear you say well done, but I also want to know that I helped bring my Christian family through this warfare as well.  
 
-Tyler Galloway
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Hebrews__4

Scripture - What stood out?

Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

 

Observation - What does it say?

Chapter four of the book of Hebrews is the continuation and conclusion of chapter three. The author continues the train of thought centered around “entering God’s rest.”

 

Understanding - What does it mean?

Does not the thought of entering God’s rest sound amazing? If you picture God kinda sorta the way I do (as a perfect loving Being) by default the resting place of such a Being naturally makes me yearn to be there with Him. I probably could write a very long journal about chapters three and four, but I will spare you! Essentially, the author urges us to seek to enter God’s rest.

 

I spend a lot of time dwelling on two things: that God is amazing and that I am not. One of my greatest struggles as I walk with God is to reconcile those two beliefs. I think it is easy for me to dismiss the above verse because I have heard much about how Jesus never sinned. But God reminds me, he is able to empathize with me. He was tempted in every way. Just like I am. Just like we all are.

 

In verse 14 Jesus is named as our high priest in heaven. And in verse 16 we are encouraged to “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

 

And this is the implication - Jesus loves me.

Jesus loves you.

 

Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?

As our high priest in heaven, Jesus has gone before God and he is lobbying on all of our behalves. As I remind myself of this, my prayer for myself is for the ability to approach Your throne of grace with confidence. Jesus has gone before me. So I am just following His lead.

 

Grant me confidence Lord, so that I am able to approach You. So that I may be able to encourage others to do the same. And one day, may we all be able - to enter into Your rest.

 

In the name of Jesus, amen.

 

-kenneth lee

 

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Psalm 47

Scripture

Psalms‬ ‭47:7‬ ‭

 

“For God is the King over all the earth. Praise him with a psalm.”

 

Observation-What does it say?
 
This is a psalm of the descendants of Korah. This psalm encourages God’s people to worship and sing praises to Him. God has delivered them from their enemies. God has provided them a place of refuge. God is in control. God is the king of kings, and the king of all the earth. God is awesome and is worthy of all praise!
 
Understanding-What does it mean?
 
Remember who it is we put our trust in.
 
With all the bad stuff going on in the world right now, it’s easy for us to get caught up blaming others and pointing fingers. It’s easy for us to build up a heart of anger and fear. It’s easy for us to forget who we should be putting our trust in. That is why this passage really stuck out to me this morning. The Israelites were a people who constantly, (even to this day), had obstacles in their lives. They are a people who has been through a lot. But there is one thing they do know...they are God’s children. They remember all the miracles that God has brought them through. They remember just how mighty a God they serve. They serve a God who is in control over all situations. They serve a God who is the ruler of all. So why shouldn’t they sing and give praise?!
 
The same goes for the rest of us. We (through our faith in Jesus Christ), are all God’s children. The same God who miraculously rescued the Israelites, will rescue us too. I know for me personally, God has delivered me from certain health scares, provides for my family and I constantly, and protects us from the evil that surrounds us. He is definitely worth all the glory, honor, and praise!-(Please read Psalm 145 for more reference).😊
 
Life Application
 
Start the day with thanksgiving and praise.
 
Start the day off in prayer, giving God your praise. Let Him know all the things you are thankful for in life. Ask God to even reveal things to you that you may take for granted, and give thanks for that as well. Rejoice in Him today. Let that joy change your heart and your mindset, and set the tone for your day. And finally may I suggest ending this day with your church family. Come join us tonight for Worship Wednesday! Let’s celebrate with song and praise together! 😊  
 
-Moses Gaddi 
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