Weekends: Read any passages of your choice or catch up if you’ve fallen behind 🙂
Day 3 – A Minute on Faith
[This week we are continuing our regularly scheduled Bible reading in Hebrews and would love to see your SOUL Journal entries in the comments below. However, in the opening posts this week, Pastor Gary will be sharing a bit of his heart for us as we approach the end of our Daring Faith campaign.]
“Faith is More than Positive Thinking.”
At the end of my life on earth I will never regret having made too big a sacrifice for Jesus, but I will regret having made one too small.
- Jesus said…I guarantee that anyone who sacrifices a home or business or even relationship for me and for the gospel will receive far more back in return. They will receive a hundred times more, and in the age to come they will receive eternal life. Mark 10:29-30
“I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength”.
In other words, you can do anything—with God’s help.
Faith means we believe that Jesus can do what we ask, and that with his help, we can do what he asks us to do, too.
Have you been trying to live life on your own power? If so, I guarantee you’re getting nowhere—at least on the things that really matter in life. You can read all the motivational books in the world and still never make any progress toward your dreams. You need the supernatural help of God to live a life of faith.
What is God asking you to do that you can only do with God’s help? Take that step of daring faith today.
Day 2 – A Minute on Faith
How do you get God’s dream for your life? You do three things:
First, dare to ask God for it. The Bible says, “Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of…”
Second, believe God’s promises.
Third, dream big. Let the size of your God determine the size of your goal. You haven’t really believed God until you’ve attempted something that cannot be done in the power of the flesh. God’s dream for your life can only be accomplished, as Ephesians 3:20 says, “By his mighty power at work within you.” If you can do it in your own strength, then it’s not a God-sized dream. But the Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:24, “the one who calls you is faithful and he will do it!”
Will you dream big with me?
Day 1 – A Minute on Faith
[This week we are continuing our regularly scheduled Bible reading in Hebrews and would love to see your SOUL Journal entries in the comments below. However, in the opening posts this week, Pastor Gary will be sharing a bit of his heart for us as we approach the end of our Daring Faith campaign.]
What should you do when you know something is God’s will but you’re scared to death to do it? Do it anyway. Faith is about taking the first step.
You may be thinking, “But I’m waiting for God to do something?” Has it ever occurred to you that God may be waiting on you?
Throughout the Bible we see this important truth: The Holy Spirit releases his power the moment you take a step of faith. When God told Joshua to cross the Jordan River, it was at a flood stage. It was only after Joshua stepped into the river, that the waters stopped flowing and the whole nation of Israel crossed on dry ground.
Hebrews 7
Scripture
Hebrews 7:27
Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.
Observation – What does it say?
Why don’t we still offer sacrifices like they did in the Old Testament? Why don’t we have the Old Testament priesthood in place anymore?
Because Jesus is the ultimate High Priest! He is greater than any priest before him because he lives forever, he is perfect, and he himself became the sacrifice once and for all! When he died on the cross, he made payment for every sin committed – past, present and future. And when he rose from the dead, he rose to be our High Priest forever.
Understanding – What does it mean?
There is no longer any need for a sacrifice, because Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient.
There is no longer any need for another priest to mediate between God and man because Jesus is our High Priest forever!
Life Application
Worship Jesus! Thank God for the blessing of Jesus and for life under the New Covenant.
God, thank you so much for the sacrifice of your son! Jesus we worship you today and recognize that you alone provide the way for us to be saved. You alone died for us. You alone were able to pay the price for our sins and you were willing to do it. We stand in awe of you today and worship. Amen.
To check out the discussion or to join in click here.
Hebrews 6
Scripture
Hebrews 6:12
We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
Observation – What does it say?
God gives us some advice regarding his promises. Do we have a role to play in making sure we inherit what God has promised? Or are they just automatic? He implies here that we have a critical role to play. Either we can have faith and patience or we can be lazy. Faith and patience will lead to us inheriting what he has promised. Laziness will keep us from inheriting what he has promised.
Understanding – What does it mean?
God’s promises belong not to the lazy but to those who have faith and patience.
Faith and patience aren’t passive. Faith and patience doesn’t mean sitting back and saying, “I believe God will do what he says and so I’m just waiting here in this seat until it happens.” Faith and patience imply action. The writer of Hebrews goes on to use the example of Abraham patiently waiting in faith for the promise that he would be a father. In his case, patiently waiting in faith meant that for years he continued to try to get his wife pregnant. Sleeping with Sarah despite their very old age was the action that demonstrated his patient faith. If he gave up and stopped sleeping with his wife, there would have been no fulfillment of the promise.
There is always a waiting period between the promise and the fulfillment. And experiencing the fulfillment is only for those who work toward pursuing those promises with patient faith.
Life Application
Don’t give up! And don’t be lazy! Work!
What does it look like for me to do my part in pursuing God’s promises?
Hebrews 5
Scripture
Hebrews 5:11
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.
Observation – What does it say?
The writer of Hebrews wants to teach his fellow believers more but points out that he can’t. Why? Because they aren’t ready to receive it. They have stopped trying to understand, letting the truth go in one ear and out the other. They keep having to be presented the basics of following Jesus because they aren’t putting forth effort to get them down and move on.
Understanding – What does it mean?
There is deeper truth and more available to those who try to understand.
No one wants to take kindergarten over and over again, year after year, until they die. Yet many Christians are content repeating the first year of their journey over and over again, not really pursuing growth. Chuck Swindoll says, “Some people have been Christians for 20 years but it is simply one year repeated twenty times.”
It’s important we all recognize that God has more in store for us and take an honest assessment: Am I really trying to understand and pursue more? Am I settling for less in my relationship with God? Are there areas God keeps having to address with me that it’s time for me to get down?
Life Application
Try to understand!
Hebrews 4
Scripture
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then 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.
Observation – What does it say?
Understanding – What does it mean?
God’s people have complete access to his help whenever they want it.
We have an all access pass to God! We can go to him anytime, anywhere, confident that we will find a good Father who is eager to meet us right where we are. He won’t just listen to our pleas, but will extend his hand to help us.
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Life Application
Go to God!
What things have I been dealing with on my own instead of turning to God?
Hebrews 3
Scripture
Hebrews 3:3-4 NIV
“Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.”
Observation-What does it say?
The writer is basically explaining that Jesus is greater than Moses. Moses was a man used by God, while Jesus was and is God.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Worship Jesus, not man.
Human beings do not have the power to save…only Jesus does.
Psalm 146:3-Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.”
God is the creator and Moses was the creation. But because Moses was faithful to God and stayed close to Him, He used him in great ways. God spoke through him and worked in him to deliver the Israelites from bondage. It’s easy to want to worship the man that God builds up, however, without God, man is nothing. Because Jesus is God though, He is everything. He’s the builder of the house and is worthy of greater honor than Moses.
Life Application
If we want to do great things in life like Moses did, we must stay close to the Builder.
Our Triune God is the Source of our salvation and the builder of our faith, the builder of our strength, the builder of our confidence, and the builder of our purpose here on earth. If we want God to use us in awesome ways, we must be willing to die to ourselves and serve Him who is greater than ourselves. We must stay connected to Him through prayer and His Word. Only then will growth and transformation into His likeness take place. Dear Lord, I confess that it’s easy to idolize and admire people who do great things for You, but help us to remember the reason they are able to do it and that’s because of You. You are the only One worthy of honor and glory and not us. Without You we are nothing. Thank You for great men and women of the faith who have chosen to die to themselves to live their lives for You. I pray that their example would point us to You alone. Amen.
To check out the discussion or to join in click here.
Hebrews 2
Scripture
Hebrews 2:4
God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
Observation – What does it say?
The writer of Hebrews goes on to warn his readers to pay attention to the message they heard so they don’t drift away – that is, the message of salvation through Jesus. Then he gives us the purpose for all signs, wonders, miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit. The purpose of all those things is to point to the gospel!
Understanding – What does it mean?
Signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit aren’t ends in themselves, but are intended to point people to Jesus.
Every time someone is healed, every time a miracle takes place, every time God supernaturally provides, every time he gives a word of prophecy or a word of knowledge, God’s desire is for people to be saved! All the things he does are to help him accomplish his will, which is to bring all people together under the lordship of Christ (Ephesians 1).
Life Application
Don’t forget that the gospel is central! And, share testimonies of what God has done with people who don’t yet know him.
While we long to see God move as we step out in daring faith, we must remember that God’s goal in all of it is to draw people into saving relationship with Jesus.
Hebrews 1
Scripture
Hebrews 1:3
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.
Observation – What does it say?
In this first chapter, the writer of Hebrews begins by declaring the greatness and superiority of Jesus.
Understanding – What does it mean?
Jesus is the exact representation of God and sustains all things.
Jesus isn’t just another man or a good teacher. There is nothing you can liken him to. Jesus is far superior to angels, to the great heroes of the faith, to anything or anyone in all creation! He created all things and sustains all things.
And, if you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus! When we read the gospels and how they reveal Jesus, they are revealing the radiance of God’s glory and showing us exactly what he is like.
There is nothing that comes close to Jesus!
Psalm 73:25…earth has nothing I desire besides you.
Philippians 3:8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ
Psalm 16:2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”
Life Application
Turn to Jesus! Point all my desires, affection, thoughts and love onto him!