Hebrews_11

Scripture:Hebrews 11:1-3What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead. ² Men of God in days of old were famous for their faith.³ By faith—by believing God—we know that the world and the stars—in fact, all things—were made at God’s command; and that they were all made from things that can’t be seen.^[a]Observation:This might be one of my most favorite chapters of the Bible – the nature and power of faith described.Understanding:What a powerful way to start the morning – with the definition of faith, followed by So. Many. Stories. of GREAT faith throughout the Bible.  This is both a reminder and an encouragement. Pastor Levi shared about seasons of doubt yesterday.  We all experience them.  And, I’m sure, many of us are or have experienced those doubts during this pandemic period that we are all in now – whether due to loss of jobs and/or income, loss of access to the things that fill us up and keep us sane, loss of SPACE to think as we are home-bound for days on end. The things that help me in these periods is getting out into nature.  Something about being in God’s creation, recognizing how big and varied our world is, remembering biblical references to the stars in the sky or sands on the beach…it brings me home, it brings me happiness and peace in my heart.  Last night, I had the opportunity to chase down starry night views to catch a glimpse of the Neowise comet – something they say won’t happen again (after the 23^rd) for another SIXTY-EIGHT HUNDRED YEARS!  And as I sat under the dark canyon skies, seeing all the beauty of all the stars above, I was reminded of God’s hand at work.  God has known about this moment in time before any of us were born.  He hasn’t forgotten us, He hasn’t walked away from us.  He is here and active, even now…regardless of what circumstances in your life may show otherwise.     We find here – in Hebrews 11 – a reminder of the many ways faith was rewarded throughout time.  I imagine in each of those stories, the circumstances felt big, impossible, unlikely…yet God “showed up.”Life Application: Let’s take time to build our faith.TODAY: Use the comments below to share your favorite faith story, how/where/when you’ve seen God move.  It can be one from our reading today in Hebrews 11 or one of your own or of someone you know. [Justin’s Miracle Monday’s are a good weekly reminder of this…and, guess what, it’s Monday!  Check out @eaves05 on Instagram.]THIS WEEK:  Let’s borrow the exercise the Pastor Levi shared yesterday.  Every time you think or say something negative, pause and thank God for 3 things.  Gratitude changes things, it reorients our brains…it’s science, it’s biblical and it works!ONGOING:  Let’s look for his fingerprints.  Even when it seems like God may not be working in an area, look for where He is.  He’s ALWAYS in the details. May you be encouraged today.  May we share that encouragement with one another. <3With love,Rei PS I liked this from the Enduring Word website…

1. (1) A definition of faith.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

1. Now faith is the substance: Just as our physical eyesight is the sense that gives us evidence of the material world, faithis the “sense” that gives us evidence of the invisible, spiritual world.
2. Faith has its reasons. The Bible doesn’t recommend a “blind leap” of faith. But the reasons can’t be measured in a laboratory; they have to be understood spiritually.
3. “Faith extends beyond what we learn from our senses, and the author is saying that it has its reasons. Its tests are not those of the senses, which yield uncertainty.” (Morris)

• “Physical eyesight produces a conviction or evidence of visible things; faith is the organ which enables people to see the invisible order.” (Bruce)

1. Of things hoped for… of things not seen: If you have the substance before you or if you can see it, there is no use for faith. Faith is needed for what we can’tsee and can’t
2. Faith does not contradict reason, though it may go beyond reason. One may objectively prove the Bible is the most unique book ever published and has impacted society more than any other book. But only faith can provethat the Bible is the Word of God. Therefore, this is a belief beyond reason but not in contradiction to reason or against reason.
3. Faith is the substance… the evidence: Faith is nota bare belief or intellectual understanding. It is a willingness to trust in, to rely on, and to cling to.
4. Faith enabled people in the past to overcome.

For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

1. For by it the elders: The great examples of godliness all had different circumstances and personalities, but they all had one thing in common – faith.
2. Obtained a good testimony: These Jewish Christians were discouraged and thought of giving up on Jesus and a distinctive Christianity. They needed a good testimony, and so they needed these examples of faith to break them out of discouragement.

https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/hebrews-11/

Hebrews_10

Scripture:  Hebrews 10:35-36  Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.  For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

Observation-What does it say?  The audience in Hebrews is in an apparent crises of faith.  They are looking to go back to how things were before the good news of Jesus was revealed to them.  In writing to a group of Jewish believers, the author is reminding them that there is no longer a need to turn back to the ways of sacrifice.  Jesus, God’s son, was the ultimate sacrifice and did away with our need to cover our sin.  Because of the work done at the cross, there is victory for those who remain faithful to the end of this life.  Therefore, they are reminded that this life will pass and the rewards will come to those who endure.

Understanding-What does it mean?  Because of my experience in my recreational pursuits, I often associate the idea of endurance and suffering with a degree of choice.  I chose to run a marathon, therefore I also chose to learn to endure through training runs.  But, endurance and suffering also has another side.  In this life of uncertainty, people are often faced with suffering through pains due to simply being caught up in a circumstance they did not create.  Innocent bystanders tragically caught in horrible accidents.  Toddlers who get sick because their pre-school classmate decided to come to school sick.  The list could go on forever.

I remember being at work and a coworker of mine asked, “How can you believe in God when there are so many bad things happening in this world?”  At the time, I was twenty years old, I was a little bit stumped by his certainty that this was evidence that God did not care, or simply did not exist.  I would be lying if I did not admit that I haven’t had the same question at times.  Having suffered several tragic losses, I was tempted to turn away from the God I know to be so good.  But, every time I would hear God saying to me that He was near.

Through tragedy, I am often reminded of the story of Job.  Job was blameless in this world, and allowed to suffer for no reason.  Through the loss of his family and all his possessions, Job remained faithful.  At the end of his suffering, Job, speaking to God, says, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.” (Job 42:5)  For Job, it wasn’t until he had endured such a great tragedy that he saw how great God truly is.  Ultimately, God restored Job greater than before the suffering began.  

 

Life Application:  Jesus, draw near to me in time of turbulence.  Help me to know that you are with me, so that I can draw nearer to you.  Help me to keep my eyes on you in times of uncertainty, for I know your reward is coming.  

 

-Tyler Galloway

 

 

Jeremiah_35

Scripture - What stood out?

Jeremiah 35:13  “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go and tell the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, ‘Will you not learn a lesson and obey my words?’ declares the Lord.  Observation - What does it say?The Rekabites were told not to drink alcohol, only live in tents, and never to build houses or sow seeds or plant vineyards. I can only imagine how hard that must have been, generation after generation living like that. Especially when you looked around and you saw people getting drunk, living wealthy, and living life. But you couldn’t because of something some old guy said hundreds of years ago to some other old guy and they continued that chain. Understanding - What does it mean?The Rekabites were told not to drink alcohol, only live in tents, and never to build houses or sow seeds or plant vineyards. I can only imagine how hard that must have been, generation after generation living like that. Especially when you looked around and you saw people getting drunk, living wealthy, and living life. But you couldn’t because of something some old guy said hundreds of years ago to some other old guy and they continued that chain. But listen to what God says about these people in verse 14 and 15 of this chapter : ‘Jehonadab son of Rekab ordered his descendants not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather’s command. But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me.  Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets to you. They said, “Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions; do not follow other gods to serve them. Then you will live in the land I have given to you and your ancestors.” But you have not paid attention or listened to me. Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?

The working definition I have for other gods (idols) is “ anything that has displaced God as number one in your heart”.

 

Lord I have two prayer requests. First that you would help me to tend the pasture that nourishes my soul. Help me to guard against anything trying to take your place as first on my list of values. And second I pray that just like the Rekabites, I would simply obey as you have commanded. Help me to not trip over myself. Help me to guard against the tactics of the enemy. And help me to learn this lesson, and obey Your words.

In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.

-kenneth lee