“Now may the God of peace — who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood — 21 may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you,[e] through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.” v. 20-21 (NLT)
What a great challenge for all of us to strive for in this new year. Could you imagine what our life would look like if we were able to live this out in front of our family, friends, strangers and enemies? For this to happen, we need to apply and protect the things that are stated throughout this letter but summarized in chapter 13. Look at them with me:
Keep on Loving each other
Show Hospitality to strangers
Remember those in prison and the mistreated
Honor your marriage and stay faithful
Don’t get involved in immoral acts or commit adultery
Don’t love money
Be satisfied in what you have
Have confidence in the Lord
Remember your leaders
Think about and apply what they have taught you
Follow their good examples of Faith
Remember Jesus is the same, yesterday, today, and forever
Don’t get distracted by new or strange ideas
Strength comes from God’s GRACE, not rules!
Jesus made us Holy by offering His own body as a sacrifice for sin
Share with those in need
Obey your Spiritual Leaders
they are accountable to God for the way they lead
Pray for a clear conscience and lives that honor God
Pay Attention to what you have heard, read, and seen
Today, let’s not treat this as a check list, but as a guide to live so together we can encourage one another living for Christ and leading others to Him.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. … 12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.” v. 1-2; 12-13
Let’s face it, the Christian life involves hard work! It requires us to give up whatever endangers our relationship with God, to run with endurance, and to struggle against sin with the power of the Holy Spirit. To live effectively, we must keep our eyes on Jesus. We will stumble if we look away from him to stare at ourselves or at the circumstances surrounding us.
This year, hit the reset button, gain a better grip, dust yourself off, do whatever you need to do to gain focus On Jesus, and then commit to spending time with Him daily. This is where the real power, and the real peace that Jesus talks about is found. 2009 is gone, But 2010 holds several new opportunities.
However, we can’t just think of ourselves, others will follow our example! As Christ Followers we have a responsibility to them to live out the things we claim we believe! By doing this, others will see Jesus in us, and be encouraged to get to Know Him also.
Today, draw close to God, evaluate your life by asking this question – Does my example make it easier for others to believe in and follow Christ, growing and maturing in Him, or does it cause them to be confused and misled? Praying that 2010 will be a different year for the both of us!
“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.” v.1-2 (NLT)
Faith is simply believing that Jesus is who He says He is (this = confidence) and He will do what He says He will do (this = assurance). Without these two things, our faith is questionable if not non-existent! In the Old Testament, people were known by their faith. In the New Testament, people are known by their faith also. When we see people of strong faith and character it encourages us and strengthens our own faith. I can’t tell you how many times I have been inspired and encouraged by people who possess confidence and assurance that comes from their great faith in the Lord. Matt Chandler is one recently that is doing this for me.
Here is the bottom line: the way we live out our faith, in the good times and bad times, tells others who we believe in. It’s more than words, it’s more than good works, it’s consistent authentic living in the pursuit to become more like Christ everyday. This is what faith is all about! And I believe, when people see this, they see Jesus in us and want what we have!
Today, what is your Faith saying about you? What is it saying to others?
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” v.23-25 (NLT)
As believers in Christ we have significant privileges because of what he has done on our behalf. This passage points out four things we need to remember, understand, and then apply.
We have personal access to God through Christ!
We can grow in our faith, overcome doubts and questions, and deepen our relationship with God.
We can connect and enjoy fellowship with other believers! (in fact, we need this)
We get to worship together and tell others how great our God is.
Today, be encouraged by the hope we have in Christ and encourage someone else by letting them know how God has used them to bless you!
“And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, 28 so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.” v.27-28 (NLT)
Judgment in not a popular theme today, but the Bible teaches that judgment is coming. In fact, the Bible says that one day Jesus is coming back and when He returns He will usher in Gods Kingdom. This Kingdom will include a new Heaven and a new Earth. Those that have repented of sin (turned away from it) and committed their life to Jesus, will spend eternity with God in His Kingdom. Sadly, those that have not repented of sin and committed their life to Jesus, will be judged by the good and bad things they have done. Because they have not committed their life to Jesus, and not been forgiven of sin, the Bible says they will spend eternity away from God in a very real place called Hell.
So when it comes to Christs return and the judgment that awaits all of us, we can either stand in confidence because we have trusted that Jesus is who He says He is, and He will do what He said He will do, or we can stand condemned, hoping that we were good enough and God will not do what He says He will do.
So the question today is this, If Christ was to return today, do you have confidence that you will spend eternity in Heaven?
Today, Ask Jesus for bold confidence. Confidence in the fact that if you were to breath your last breath, you know you would spend eternity with Him in Heaven. If you don’t have this confidence, or have questions about having this confidence, click here!
“When God speaks of a ‘new’ covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and will soon disappear.” v.13
Some of the Jewish believers were clinging to the obsolete old ways instead of embracing Christ’s new covenant. People today, still reject Jesus and believe He is not the only way to Heaven as He declares in John 14:6. But here’s the truth: Who you say Jesus is … is very important!
We declare who we really think Jesus is by what we choose to believe, but we also do this by the way we live. This includes where we spend our time, money, thoughts, and includes the things we say and do. When you evaluate these thing in your own life, Who do you really say that Jesus is? Is He Lord over all areas of your life?
“There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. 24 But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. 25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save[e] those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.” v. 23-25 (NLT)
In the Old Testament, God established High Priest to represent the people by offering sacrifices daily for themselves and then for the people. These sacrifice were sin offerings to God because we are sinful people. Chapter 7 explains why this is important and if this is something you are interested in I encourage you to read it. When Jesus steps out of Heaven and comes to Earth, He lives, teaches and models what it means to have a relationship with God and to be Gods people. By His death, he offers Himself as a perfect sinless sacrifices and by His resurrection he becomes our High Priest and representative, speaking on our behalf before God.
Wow, I know that’s a lot to take in early in the morning I hope I have confused you. But here is the Bottom line: Jesus has a permanent priesthood because of his life, death, and resurrection. He should be everyone’s ultimate authority for spiritual life. However, in our culture today, many people have other advisors and counselors whom they elevate almost to the role of a priest. Some people even still visit and confess sins to a priest. People look to political leaders, lawyers, physicians, and many others to provide hope, long life, and security against disaster. Many Christians regard the advice priest and ministers, Christians friends, and even pop musicians before they consider the words of Jesus written in the Bible.
Because of what Jesus has done, we have direct access to God. Talking to people and getting their input is good, but talking to God and getting His input is the greatest thing we can ever do.
Today, let’s talk to God like we talk to a friend. When we pray, let’s ask Him for advice and tell Him how we feel. Let’s open His Word, and listen when He speaks to us. Let’s thank Him for the things Jesus has done on our behalf and remember, Jesus stand before God on our behalf! Thank you Jesus!
“For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.” v. 10 (NLT)
Have you ever felt discouraged? You work hard, serve in love, but feel like the people around you don’t even notice. I wish I could say that when you reach out to others by teaching, serving, mentoring them that you will always feel like you are making a difference. But truthfully, I can’t say that. There are times that I feel like I am ineffective, there are times that I get discouraged, there are times that I even want to quit. But it is in these times that I have to look beyond my feelings and trust that the Lord is using me. Besides, it’s not about how I feel! The enemy want me to feel these things so I give up and not trust that the Lord is using me. It’s not about my feelings but about Him being glorified by what is happening. This verse is a great reminder to all of us today.
It’s easy to get discouraged, thinking that God has forgotten us. But God is never unjust. He never forgets or overlooks our hard work for Him. Presently you may not be receiving rewards and acclaim, but God knows your efforts of love and ministry. Let His love for you and His intimate knowledge of your service for Him encourage and strengthen you as you face disappointment and even rejection here on earth.
Today, let’s find our hope and encouragement from the Lord and love, serve, teach, and model what it means to be a Christ Follower, even when we feel discouraged. Remember, He is Faithful, lets not give up, but press in!
“There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. 12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word.[c] You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.” v. 11-14 (NLT)
What keeps you from growing? This is probably a question we don’t ask ourselves very often. In fact as I sit here and reflect on this question there isnt’t just one answer that comes to mind. I have several things that keep me from growing in my relationship with Christ here are a few:
I’m to busy
I am tired
I’ll do it tomorrow
I don’t want to …
It’s hard
My church isn’t deep enough
These are just six of many things that keep me from growing in my relationship with Christ. Have you caught yourself saying any of these? But I have to be honest, these are just excuses. Everyday I have an opportunity to grow, but it starts with a desire and it takes discipline! Let me break it down for you
Desire – When you desire to have something you do whatever it takes to get it. It may mean that you work hard to get it! But it may also mean that you sacrifice somethings in order to get the thing you desire. Sadly, when it comes to Spiritual Growth, many of us don’t desire it. That seems harsh to say, but look at our churches today. Many of us are just content with coming to church, singing songs, listening to powerful messages, as long as we get home in time for the football game.
We will continue to be immature believers until we truly desire to grow. We have to desire to let God transform us into that new person. This growth happens when we spend time alone with God. Yes, God can stir your affections for Him in a service, He can convict you of your sin and break your heart for the things that break His, but if you don’t begin to spend time with Him in a personal way, be careful . . . you could begin to stunt your spiritual growth. Jesus understood this! Many times in scripture we see him leave crowds to spend time with God. He understood how much He needed time alone with God.
Discipline – This is the part where you begin to make time for growth. This is where you do the hard things of getting up earlier, staying up later, or adjusting your schedule to spend time with God. This is also the part where you begin to apply the truths you hear from Gods Word in your personal time and from your public worship times. It will take discipline for this to happen! There will be times it’s easy, and there will be times it’s hard, but you have to discipline yourself to do these things. It’s in these times that God is growing you, stretching you, and transforming you to be more like Christ.
No great sports team wins championships without being disciplined. They work hard, practice long, study their plays so they can execute effectively on game day. The same is true for believers. We need to spend time with God, so we can wrestle with the Truth of Scripture, understand it so we can apply it, live it so people will see it, so when we explain it they will receive it.
Today, will you stop making excuses? Let’s put that desire for spiritual growth into action and start being disciplined in the truth, so we can effectively execute the Gospel to the world around us!
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.” v.12-13 (NLT)
The Word of God is not simply a collection of words from God, it’s a love letter from God written to us. The Word of God is living, life-giving and dynamic as it works in us. Sometimes it’s work is easy and other times it’s work is hard. Regardless, Gods Word has the sharpness of a surgeons knife, it reveals who we are and what we are not. It penetrates deep into the core of who we really are and discerns what is in us both good and evil. However, the demand of Gods Word require decisions. We must not only listen, sometimes this is the easy part, we must allow it to shape our lives, many times this is the hard part. What we choose to do with the Word of God will determine how we live our life and who we live our life for.
Today, how are you going to handle the Word of God? For me, I want to read it, listen to it, think about it, effectively apply it, so I can ultimately benefit from it! Will you join me?
Dan Gould 