Consider Jesus - Hebrews 3:1

Hebrews is an interesting book, albeit challenging for me. The author is unknown and his writing style, though inspired is difficult to break down into sections. (for me) However the more I mediate on it, as promised, the Holy Spirit, my teacher and the author's inspiration, gives clarity. Here's what I learned today. . .

Hebrews 2:10
For it was fitting for Him (God), from whom all things, and through whom are all things, (in order) to bring many sons to glory (salvation), to perfect the author of their salvation (Christ) through suffering.

I needed to understand the word "perfect" in this passage. The Greek word is "Teleioo" and it means "to consecrate him by suffering to his office."

So God allowed even prescribed that Christ suffer in order to consecrate Him, to set him apart for His office or His position, for the purpose of what? Let's see . . .

Hebrews 2:15 says - that He might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.
To free us from fear of death that had us enslaved, in bondage.What am I in bondage to? I had to think about this. Am I afraid of death? I would be if I had not turned to Christ as my hope of Salvation. But I think there might be more to this fear and death. I think perhaps the root of all my fear is the death of something. My fear of failure is the fear of the death of my value as a person. Fear of intimacy is fear of exposure to the real person, so death of a facade. Run some examples honestly about what you are afraid of, what keeps you in bondage. See if this holds true. At the root of all fear is death of something.
So Christ suffered to free us from the fear of death that has us in bondage.

Secondly Christ suffered to be able to intercede for us to the Father.
Hebrews 2:17 says He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so the He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
High Priest were a chosen few, but were like the people they served, they interceded for, brought the sacrifice for them but they were LIKE them. Christ is our high priest and suffered so He could intercede. The OT high priest brought the sacrifice, Christ our high priest not only brings the sacrifice, He was the final sacrifice. It was His blood shed, His body broken that paid the price for all our sin, past present and future. So Christ, our advocate with the Father points God's eyes toward Christ sacrifice instead of our sin.

Finally Christ suffered so He can come to our aid when we are tempted.
Hebrews 2:18 says For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
I have a hard time listening to someone who just doesn't get it, who has never experienced my pain. Pastor Scott S. say it last night. It's like someone saying to an addict, "just quit." That person has never experienced that pain. Christ was tempted and did not yield. I know the debate, He was God and He couldn't sin. But He could have chosen to not go to the cross. In the garden before His suffering, He prayed for God to pick plan "B". But it was His obedience to this "perfecting" playing His role as savior, lamb of God, intercessor and friend of sinners, that nailed Him to the cross. Amazing love for not only us but for His Father.

So the picture looks like this to me. Jesus speaking to God the Father on my behalf when I'm faced with temptation and I choose my own way not His. "Father, I already paid for that sin. She's one with us. Look at me, my blood; see her through me" Then in that same moment of temptation, Jesus speaking to me through the Holy Spirit say " Wait, yes I see that temptation, but you have a choice. Look for the choice! Choose me, there's the escape I promised, walk that way." If there is ever "sweat" on the brow of God, I believe it's in that moment where all the power of heaven is focused on us when faced with temptation. Will they choose me or their own way? When we choose His way there is heavenly rejoicing. God's way brings freedom from the fear of death. My way brings more fear and more fear and fear upon fear.

Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, . . . consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;!

We CAN change the World!

Do you believe that? Intellectually it sounds great, challenging, even esoteric, but what does that look like in day to day living? Is it possible for me, for you, for the body of Christ to change the world? I submit that not only is it possible, it's commanded in scripture. I challenge you to look at God's word, study it, meditate on it and see what God speaks into your heart.

2 Chronicles 7:14
and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. NASB

Deuteronomy 30:10-11
if you obey the LORD your God to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this book of the law, if you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and soul. For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach. NASB

Romasns 12:1
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? NLT

Philippians 4:13 For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. NLT

WHAT IF . . . RADICAL TRANSFORMATION HAPPENS WHEN I LIVE OUT AND LIVE IN MY COVENANT RELATIONSHIP WITH ALMIGHTY GOD.

1. I hunger for His word to feed me and focus my soul. (Psalm 119:17-18)
2. I am content with a "focus" not a "forecast"- I trust Him to guide my steps and light my path and the light given is enough for one step, one day, one thought. I do not need more than that. (Proverbs 3:5&6; Psalms 37:23; Exodus 15:13, John 16:13)
3. I am free to be who I was created to be. Romans 12:4-21 God does not create without purpose. I was not placed here by accident. God has a plan for my life. (Jeremiah 29:11)
4. My relationships are focused on others not on what I need. My sufficiency is from God. (James 4:12; Philippians 4:19)
5. My need for "stuff" - things and the acquisition of them is less attractive. Real joy comes in giving to others. It is an act of worship. (Matthew 6:19-21;30-34)
6. Humility is not just a heady, Oh-that-I-could-be, word; it is a state of being, resting, abiding. in Him. (Proverbs 29:23; Isaiah 57:15; Matthew 18:4; James 4:6, 10, I Peter 5:6)

Either God's word is truth or it's not. If it is, and I believe it is, then I have all the power of heaven available to me to live this life of full surrender to God. It's my choice to obey or not, but the same God who lead the children of Israel sets the same promises before us for blessing or cursing. I'm not taking about plagues like locust. But Godlessness is ravaging our country like a plague even now. Maybe we are the problem, maybe our lives, our obedience is the issue.

God's plan is to change the world; to turn the hearts of people to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. His plan is for believers, the body of Christ, Christians to live a life of radical obedience to Him; obeying His word, living it out through the resurrection power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Living it out in our relationship to each other in the bonds of unity. Jesus says in John 17:20-21'23
"I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one, even as You,Father,are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us,SO THAT the world may believe that You sent me . . .SO THAT the world may know that You sent me, and loved them, even as You have loved me.

THEY WILL ASK WHY? WE CAN SHARE THE WHO!
CHRIST IN ME THE HOPE OF GLORY. Colossians 1:27

"Choose you this day whom you will serve . . . as for me. . .I will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15

Believing God

Do I really believe God? Yes, I believe God for my salvation and for the events of my life to work out for good. (Romans 8:28) but do I believe God for the minute to minute, nitty gritty, where the shoe hits the pavement right now stuff? I say I do, but do my actions line up with what I say I believe?

I'm still in Psalms and may be forever but this morning God added to something that my sponsor encouraged me in yesterday. . . I hope it encourages your walk today.

Psalms 138:7-8 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me. 8 The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your loving kindness, O Lord, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

Four main truths stuck out to me . . .

First - Though I walk in the midst of trouble - There if forward movement. It gives the idea of cautious careful movement into a safety zone, aware of your surroundings but still moving forward. It don't think this if fearful movement but careful, thoughtful movement forward. It doesn't say "though I see trouble and run in the other direction" or "though I see trouble and hang out or linger there." There is a time when you have to walk forward in the midst of trouble. Not hanging out, seeking out, or running from . . . but walking through.

Then what happens ?
Secondly - You will revive me. Revive in Hebrew according to the Key Word Study Bible means to cause to recover, give life, enliven, bring joy and hope. Note the process, I walk, He revives, strengthens and protects. If I stand on the edge gazing in at or turning to run from trouble, look what I miss. The blessing of His strength and protection. The blessing of His reviving, His refreshing.

Thirdly - Not only does God revive us, He will stretch forth His hand against the wrath of my enemies. Not my enemies in this case but against the harm they seek to do me. Scripture doesn't say it won't hurt or I will not feel pain, just that it will not harm me. Romans 8:28 says God will work it out for good. He also stretches our His right hand to save me. The right hand of God is always associated with His strength. Where is Jesus right now? Mark 16:19 tell us He's seated at the right hand of God the father. What is the source of our strength? Jesus blood shed on the cross provides forgiveness for sin, but His resurrection gives us power over death and sin.

Finally - Look at verse 8 - You may not struggle with feeling like you are not good enough, but for those of us who do, listen up! THE LORD WILL ACCOMPLISH WHAT CONCERNS ME. Have you ever started a project that you had screwed up so much on it was not savable? I sew so that happens a great deal for me. You rip seams until the fabric is just too bad, so you cut a new piece or just trash the whole project. God won't do that, can't do that. He will accomplish what concerns me. I see Him telling me to focus on my stuff here, not my enemies or my neighbors. He will work on me, finish what He began in me. Philippians 1:6 confirms that.

So my question was, Do I believe in God for the little stuff? The little stuff seems to be where I get stuck, my attitude, my resentments toward others, my fear of rejection. God cares about the little stuff in my life as much as the big events and I'm going to choose to believe He can accomplish what concerns me as I walk out in faith believing He has me always.

Do you believe God?

Who Could Stand?

I have been camped in Psalms for several months now. Today I was in Psalms 130. I'd like to share with you what I learned there, by pulling apart this scripture little bit at a time. It's long, I know but plug through it and I think it will encourage your heart. It did mine.

Psalms 130:1-4
1 Out of the depths I have cried to you, O Lord. 2 Lord hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. Sounds to me like this person is struggling with an issue,(duh right?) Perhaps his life has either taken a turn for the worst or perhaps he is struggling with a sinful behavioral pattern. By that I mean that besetting sin, spoken of in Hebrews 12:1 . . . and the sin that so easily besets us. That habitual sin that just plagues us, one we struggle getting victory over. He pleads with God to hear his voice, his cry, his supplications. I don't think he's just asking once or quietly, I think he's crying, begging and screaming out to God for His help, His ear, His attention! He has sinned, missed the mark he knew he was supposed to aim for. Something was not right in his life.
3 If You, Lord should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? I love this verse. It makes a statement about who he knows God to be. Israel has a covenant relationship with God. God promised them the land and blessings if they obey, curses if they disobey. That was God's part, Israel promised to obey and do all the words that were spoken, taught, given to them by Moses and all the leaders that followed after him. They promised before God they would keep their part of this covenant as a nation forever. (Deuteronomy. 11:26; 29;30:1, 19, Joshua 8:34-35) We don't really understand covenant in our culture but they did in that culture. We are a nation, a people of promise breakers, not promise keepers. We do not hold to the sanctity of a"covenant" in anything, marriage, obeying authorities, child obeying parents, we just don't take covenant promises seriously. This person did. He understood that He had broken his promise, his part of the covenant with a living God. But I love what his statement implies. The word "Mark" in Hebrew according to Strong's means"careful attention which was paid to the obligation of a covenant; a narrow watching; lying in wait for someone to ambush him." God does not "MARK" lay in wait to catch, 'that ah ha! caught you, Now I'll really let you have it". God doesn't operate that way. Because if God did operate that way, according to this writer and the rest of scripture, WHO COULD STAND? We'd all be toast, had not Jesus made for us the way, the path to be forgiven and experience this forgiveness spoken of here. Grace!

Let's move on . . .

4 But . .. (whenever you see a "but" in scripture, stop and be prepared to turn a different direction, a corner; moving one way then turning to another) But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared.
So here's the corner, He changed from talking about his sin and his screw up in life, not minimizing it, but to understanding who God is and how He deals with us and our sin. Do you see the corner? No longer is it about him but about who God is, who He promised to be in that covenant relationship. (side note and this one's for free: You want to get rid of the stinking thinking in your life, those tapes that say over and over your are worthless, have no value, a real screw up? Focus on who God is, who you find Him to be in scripture, who you know, not feel, He is. That's renewing your mind like Romans 12:1&2 talks about, changing direction, focusing on God and His truth, not the lies Satan wants you to believe)

Let's look at "forgiveness" in the Hebrew. Strong's defines it as :to pardon, be gentle, show oneself merciful. That stand in complete contrast; the total opposite of "marking iniquities". Sure God sees them but is merciful and gentle to pardon, forgive.

I love the use of the word, "with" it could say "from" but the writer uses "with" which implies abiding, relationship, why? So that You (God) may be feared. What does "feared" mean? It means revered, reverenced, but I think it almost speaks to the heart relationship between this person and God. He was choosing to honor his promise to God to give up his right to living like he wants to live, choosing instead to submit the control of his life to God's authority, leadership, and love. Accepting His forgiveness; believing that God is who He says He is and that God keeps His covenant promise to us. There is relationship here!

So here's the take away for me . . . Lord I'm going to cry out to you with the screw ups in my life, expecting you, because you don't and can't break your promises, that you will forgive me and I can once again abide in that loving, relationship with you.That abiding place where I live in safety as I chose to submit my life and will to you. I choose today to follow your way not mine, accepting your gift of forgiveness.

Grace and mercy abound as we lay our stuff down at His feet, as often as we need, and seek to focus our life on Him, trusting He will keep His covenant promises. I'm encouraged by that because I mess up a lot. I hope you are encouraged as well.

Why can't I hear from God?

Have you ever tried to read God's word and just can't get what's being said? Or you know that you should understand it but you just cannot hear from God. Why doesn't He speak to me? Does He care? What's up with this?

I was there this morning. My walk with the Lord is good and typically I hear from Him in His word. So when I don't hear from Him, I have to look at me. See, God always wants to speak to His children. If you meet Him, He always shows up, but He cannot be heard over sin. Sin shouts, rattles, bangs or literally plugs the ears of your heart to God. That's why the steps of recovery are so amazing. Once you get past making amends and cleaning out your sin closet, so to speak, you need to keep it clean. I'll give you an example of my closet, please understand I'm not a fabulous housekeeper; not a real neat freak, but I have been working on keeping our closet clean and organized. It took me a full day to get rid of clothes, and refold and hang all the shirts in one place and put neat stacks, you get the idea right? It took a full day. Now that it's done, the real challenge is keeping it that way! Idon't want to go back to the OLD CLOSET! The "cleaning" is like steps four and five of recovery, but it's the daily inventory step that keeps my closet clean. My life clean before the Lord so I can hear from Him in His word.

What does a daily inventory look like?

How do I keep short accounts with God so I can hear from Him?

Here's some questions I ask myself when I can't hear God.

1. Have I done something I know is wrong?
2. Have I hurt someone?
3. Was I prideful or mean?
4. Have I not done something I know I should do?

If I ask, " Lord what is keeping me from hearing from you?" and then just be still . . God will show me. The "BE STILL" part is important. I do mean be still, quite, no wiggling, just still. God will reveal it to you. Once He reveals your sin . . . deal with it, confess it, make it right, do whatever God tells you to do. It's called obedience.

Roman 6:23 says the wages, (payment) of sin is death. We typically see this in reference to salvation and that is true. If you don't accept the free gift of payment for your sin by placing your faith and trust in Jesus Christ and His death on the cross to pay for that sin, then you have to pay for your sin yourself. Salvation is once for all, all my sin forgiven, past present and future. But I think this verse could also means that if you don't deal with your sin, daily, straighten that closet of your life, then you are separated from God in fellowship,relationship, closeness, that hearing from Him that He desires. Clear communication with Him, from Him, not plugged up by sin.

1 John 1:9 tells us "If we confess our sin He is faithful and just and will forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Want to hear from God? Ask Him what's stopping you; listen and respond in obedience.