Hebrews 11 - 5.21.24

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews 11:13 – 16

“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”

OBSERVATION:  This chapter begins with a well known verse “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” I love how this verse so perfectly explains what faith is.  The next set of verses from 2 – 12 all begin with “By faith…” and go on to reveal the faith shown by many great people in the Bible like Noah, Abraham, and Enoch. These verses explain, in depth, each person’s use of their faith and the outcome. It’s a great testimony and offers a chance to build our own faith in reading this chapter.

In verse 6, after mentioning how God took Enoch away from this life before death and notes that he was “one who pleased God”, we see how important our faith is to God. Verse 6 says “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.” Faith is the cornerstone to our entire life as a Christian and is the hope of what God promised us after death: eternal life with Him in heaven.

Verse 13 pivots to explain the bigger picture of faith and where it leads. All of the great people of the Bible, talked about in verses 2 – 12,  lived by faith yet verse 13 says “They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.”  This verse might be a bit confusing and imply that after all these great men did in their faith, God did not give the things promised. God did give them the promises yet the one final promise had not been fulfilled yet. In order to really understand this, it’s important to look at this section from a heavenly view. The “things promised” is relating to what awaits them after death. They were living on earth in their faith – living as foreigners and strangers because earth is not their real home. Verse 16 says  “They were longing for a better country – a heavenly one.”  They had their eyes set on living in faith here on this earth, yet longing, believing and having faith that after death comes life with God in heaven. That is where the promises are fulfilled to all who believe. On top of all that, He has prepared a place for us. The second half of verse 16 says “God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” How great it is that God is not ashamed - actually proud - to be our God AND He’s preparing a place for each of us, a home, our eternal resting place. How sweet!!! I don’t know about you, but that is another faith builder of the heart.

APPLICATION: Our faith, just like the ones of those mentioned in this chapter, is a journey that is built stronger when living our life for God. Each day, event, prayer and reading of God’s word is an opportunity to grow our faith. As our faith grows stronger and deeper, our view of this world becomes clearer: This world is not our home. When our focus is on things in heaven and not on this earth, everything changes. Our view of relationships changes, how we deal with situations change, and how we view circumstances will change. Our life focus is best set vertically to heaven rather than horizontally on this earth.

The bottom line is our hope and promise, the foundation of our faith, is nothing that we gain on earth or based on this world.  Colossians 3:1-4 says it best:

1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.

PRAYER: Lord, I believe in you, trust you, and only want your will to be done. Thank you, Lord, for your promise of heaven and eternity with you. Help my faith to grow deeper and deeper each day. Help me to live my daily life with a heavenly view so that each event, circumstance, and relationship reflect your glory. I pray that every aspect of my life reflects you and helps lead others to you and grow their faith. Amen!

- Mary Oberg

Hebrews 10 - 5.20.24

Scripture

Hebrews 10:36-39

You need to persevere so that when you have done with will of God, you will receive what he has promised.  For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will not delay.” And,  “But my righteous one will live by faith.  And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”  But, we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

Observation

This part of Hebrews 10 is an encouragement to those of the faith to continue to persevere. He is actually using other Scripture references, such as Isaiah 26:20, Habukkuk 2:3, and Habukkuk 2:4 to support his point.

Also, from today’s reading in Exodus 32, I saw a similar theme of being tired of waiting for the Lord. The Israelites were tired of waiting for Moses (who was still with God on the mountain), so they made a golden calf to worship. As a result, they were later destroyed by a plague. (Ex. 32:35)

Application

When getting tired of waiting, don’t quit. Keep persevering in the faith.  

Let us learn from the Israelites and not return to our vomit (which are our past sins and idols).

It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.  Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to his vomit.” (Proverbs 26:11) and “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” -2 Peter 2:21-22 NIV

“But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.” -Luke 12:45-46 NIV

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Please help us to continue to persevere in the faith.  When we are tired of waiting and tempted to go back to our “old ways,” may we continue to seek You wholeheartedly in prayer and through Your Word for encouragement. May we also remember Your promise of return. We do not want to be a people “who shrink back and are destroyed, but rather a people who have faith and are saved,” as Your Word says. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi

Exodus 31 - 5.17.24

Scripture: Exodus 31:1-6

”Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you:“

‭‭Observations:

Preachers and teachers are not the only people God chooses and reveals wisdom to build His kingdom. He chooses artists and other skilled people to glorify Him. He filled them with His Spirit to make what God had commanded for His temple.  God not only gave the vision, but empowered those to fulfill it.  I believe there are so many gifted people that don’t realize God is the inspiration for the talent or skill they have. 

Applications:

God’s calling cannot be put in a box.  Many people have gifts that they may not think matter. This Scripture tells us that God inspired artists and other skilled workers.  I want to look for gifts God has given others and encourage them to keep pursing their passion. I need to remember to show others the source of their gifts.  I need to remember who is the source of the gifts I’ve been given.I also need to realize that when God puts in place a big project, He will fill those to complete it with His Spirit, wisdom, understanding, knowledge and all kinds of skills. 

Before I begin a project I need to look to God and have Him show me who He is gifting to join me. 

Prayer:

Lord thank you for all the amazing things you have created and continue to create. You created your people with many gifts and abilities. I pray we would not compare ourselves to others. May we know how important the gifts you have given each of us are. There are so many gifted people serving behind the scenes. Thank you for this reminder. I pray my eyes will be open to how you want to use my gifts and how I can encourage others.  Their gifts are important and bring glory to you. You inspire people with a variety of gifts and all creation and art forms can bring glory to you. 

Amen

- Cindy Howard