Hebrews 11 - 6.21.23
Scripture
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see….And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:1, 6 NIV
Observation
The author gave “examples of faith to help the discouraged.” (enduringword.com) Then, he described what faith is and why it is important to have it.
Application
Here’s several things about faith from this chapter that we can apply to our daily lives.
-The heroes of the faith proved that faith was an action word; therefore, faith requires action.
-It’s impossible to please God without it.
-We must believe He exists when we come to Him.
-We must EARNESTLY seek him. Definition for earnestly in Oxford dictionary is “with sincere and intense conviction; seriously.”
-We must be confident in what we hope for, even though we don’t see it yet.
What faith move or prayer is the Holy Spirit asking you to make today?
Prayer
Dear Lord,
It is impossible to please You without faith. I pray that Your Holy Spirit would increase my faith as I press into prayer and Your Word daily and also obey, even in times when it is hard to. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Hebrews 10 - 6.20.23
Scripture
Hebrews 10:8-10 First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Observation
There is absolutely nothing we can do to earn God’s love and forgiveness – we are powerless to save ourselves. BUT we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Let me say that one more time for those in the back (like me!) that need to hear it:
There is absolutely nothing we can do to earn God’s love and forgiveness – we are powerless to save ourselves. BUT we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Application
After all these years, I still struggle with this concept. I still try to earn God’s love. And when I don’t do enough, or I fail, I feel undeserving. But the fact of the matter is that no matter what or how much any of us do, we are still undeserving.
vs. 11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
But verse 9 says, He sets aside the first (the law) to establish the second (forgiveness/ restoration through the sacrifice of Jesus).
vs. 14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Prayer
God, forgive me for my unbelief. That unbelief minimizes the great sacrifice You made and instead puts my focus on me. Today I want to focus on You and Your great love for me.
Jesus Paid It All
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ymkl0t0FOcw
- Debbie Dunn
Jeremiah 26 - 6.19.23
Scripture
Jeremiah 26:3 NLT
“Perhaps they will listen and turn from their evil ways. Then I will change my mind about the disaster I am ready to pour out on them because of their sins.”
Observation
Jeremiah gets another message from God to relay to the people of Judah. It’s a message to get the people of Judah to turn from their sinful ways. It’s basically God’s final warning to them. God is being so patient with the people of Judah here. He really doesn’t want to destroy the people and their city. His heart is for them to turn from their sinfulness and have a restored relationship with Him.
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”-2 Peter 3:9
Application
We serve a God who gives us multiple chances. But how many chances do we need?!
As sinful and wicked as the people of Judah have been in this passage, (and the chapters prior), God is still willing to forgive them and spare them from the upcoming disaster He has in store for them, if they turn from their wicked ways. But will they listen to God’s advice for them, and repent from their wicked ways? I guess we will have to wait and see when we continue reading in the book of Jeremiah.
Yes, we do serve a God who is loving, forgiving, merciful, and is abounding in grace. But when is enough, enough? How many chances will He give us before He decides that we will never learn from our mistakes. When will God decide that my life just isn’t quite bearing the fruit He thought it would, and so He will prune me away from the vine, and throw me in the fire to be burned? 🤔
“Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.”-John 15:6
We all know people who want to live it up now, then think they can wait ‘til the last minute and then they will give their lives to Jesus. But, tomorrow is not guaranteed. What if your life ended today? Would you know where your eternal destination is? Don’t take for granted God’s patience, love, mercy, forgiveness, and grace for us. Turn from your sinfulness and run to Jesus! You never know if this could be the last chance He gives us before taking you from this world. Know that God wants to spare you from the upcoming disaster that awaits those who reject Him. Know that He loves you and is waiting for You to come to Him. He is waiting with open arms. ❤️
Prayer
Thank You God for your patience, love, mercy, forgiveness, and grace. Forgive me for taking those characteristics of Yours for granted. When I mess up, help me to learn from my mistakes, turn from my sins, and run back to You. Please don’t let the enemy get a foothold on me because of my sin. Give me the boldness like Jeremiah in this passage to urge others to repent from their sinful lifestyles so they can avoid Your wrath. Help me to share with them the love You have for them. May they know and believe in Jesus because of it. I pray this in Your Holy and precious name, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi