Hebrews 12 - 8.19.22
Scripture - What stood out?
Hebrews 12:11-13
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
Observation - What does it say?
The author continues to encourage the Jewish believers of Jesus that their faith in Jesus must remain steadfast, to battle against wrong teaching and sin, comparing this struggle to God’s loving discipline for our lives. “…Submit to the Father of spirits and live!”
Understanding - What does it mean?
With all the damage I have done to myself personally, Lord, I took that encouragement literally. There are numerous bible commentators who believe that You were telling us to firm up our spines, to stand up a little bit taller – for (those who do not know you yet) are watching us and it is for them we must stay strong! Reading these words were exactly what I needed to hear Lord. It is so easy for me to get distracted by looking at everything but the eyewitness testimony provided to us in these books. Thank you Holy Spirit for pointing out these life giving words to me. I had been looking towards that terrible ‘woe is me’ path (I’m quite familiar with that path, Lord). And I absolutely needed to be told today that my eyes need to stay focused on the true prize:
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?
Thank you my Lord Jesus. I needed to hear these words today. I needed to hear them. Thank you Holy Spirit for highlighting this verse to me! I choose to strengthen my feeble and weak arms today both figuratively and literally. Today, Lord, as I go about my day restoring my body into good health I will remind myself once more of Who I am a representative of. Who I keep my eyes fixated on. For while I run this race looking towards you, there are those who look on still unsure of where to go. Grant me strength today Lord. In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.
-kenneth lee
Hebrews 11-8.18.22
Scripture
Hebrews 11
Observation
Hebrews 11 has a nickname:
The hall of faith.
In sports, it’s the best athletes that make it into the hall of fame.
Hebrews 11 covers the stories of some of the best heroes of faith of the Old Testament. If you’re looking to answer the question, “What is faith?” these stories are a great place to start. You’ll get to see faith in action.
Understanding
Living a life of faith is tough. It requires the power and presence of God in your life. No matter how much faith or faithless you’re currently feeling, be assured that faith comes not from those who try hard, but those who lean into God hard.
Hebrews 11 tells us what it means to have faith and obtain life. Those with true faith trust God’s word. Focusing on assurance about what we do not see, looking beyond the situation as it can be perceived by natural vision. By exercising this kind of faith those in the Old Testament gained the recognition of God. By faith they discerned God’s amazing plan.
The faith hall of famers had plenty of mess-ups in their stories, but their faith remained constant still.
Faith requires living life as if every promise of God is true, whether we see the evidence of that or not. Faith doesn’t need to see to believe.
A life of faith starts in the heart, but always shows itself through works. In the same way, a lack of faith shows in our actions as well.
Faith is responsive:
We must take action. By faith Abraham, when called he obeyed.
Faith is sacrificial and courageous: Abraham brought his son whom he loved and was willing to place him on the altar. He called it worship. He trusted God even when it meant laying down something he loved.
Faith is persistent:
Abraham and his sons lived in tents. They did not see the land as their own, but exercised faith knowing that God would be true to his word. Abraham looked forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
All these people were living by faith when they died. Although they did not actually possess the promised gifts of God, they saw them and welcomed them. Their hearts were set on heaven, not on the country they had left. Heaven was their homeland, they were citizens of heaven. God is not ashamed to be called their God and he has prepared for them a city.
Life Application
Faith is a basic requirement of life that keeps your hope alive and from being shaken when faced with trials. The stronger your hope, the stronger your faith in God. This is why it is important to read God’s word, spend time in prayer and worship. The more you know God, the more you can trust His character and stand on His word.
God I want to trust you even when I don’t see or understand. Help me to take action and stand on your promises.
-Justin Eaves
Psalm 52-8.17.22
Scripture
Psalm 52:7-9
7 “Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!” 8 But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. 9 For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.
Observation-What does it say?
In this Psalm, King David is exposing the deceit and evil of Doeg the Edomite, who “informed Saul of David’s whereabouts.” “King David wrote this Psalm during the period when Saul was seeking his life.” (Reference: biblegateway.com footnotes)
Understanding-What does it mean?
King David is comparing and contrasting those like Doeg who trust in wealth, do evil and grow strong by destroying others, to those who trust in God’s unfailing love and hope in His good name alone!
Life Application
There’s no need to destroy others just to get ahead in life. Put our hope in God’s unfailing love!
When we put our hope in anything but Jesus, we will always be disappointed. People and relationships may come and go; money and success comes and goes; beauty comes and goes and even our health comes and goes. There is only ONE thing that will never fail us and that is Christ’s unfailing love.
I have been meditating on His unfailing love and faithfulness a lot lately and I’m so grateful for it.
-Michelle Gaddi