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?