“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!

“Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters.  Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. 13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. 14 For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.” v.12-14 (NLT)

The condition of your heart is important, not just in a physical sense but in a spiritual and eternal sense.  I have been thinking about this statement and even see this fleshed out in my own kids lives – What you hear, you believe, and what you believe you become!  I think these words are so true, that is why this warning is something we need to hear and pay attention to so we don’t become a “remember when … ?” type of person.

Here’s what I mean by that last statement, I have seen people get excited for God at a camp. a retreat, a church service, but something happens where they went a different way.  When I talk with them or see them I always want to ask, “Remember when …? What happened?”  I have asked some people this question and they have told me they didn’t know, it just happened.  Or they go on to list all the things that have caused them to loose their excitement, their dedication, and discipline to and for things of God.  It always sadden me when this happens.  But I have to be honest, this is something, if I am not careful, WILL happen to me.  It is, something if you’re not careful, WILL happen to you.

You see our hearts turn away from the Living God when we stubbornly refuse to believe him, refuse to listen to him, and refuse to surrender completely to him. (there’s a sermon right there) The scary result is this, if we continually refuse to believe, listen, and surrender, God will eventually leave us alone in our sin.  It’s a scary place when we are calloused to the things of God.  But how do we know if this has happened and is true in our own lives.  Great question, and here is my answer.  You have to ask yourself, “Are there things in my life now, that use to cause conviction but don’t anymore?  This is a question you need to give a lot of thought to on a regular basis.  You have to wrestle with this question on your own, not in a legalistic way, but in an honest way.  That’s why we have to be careful.

The good news is this, you can prevent this from happening in your life.  Here’s how,

• Spend time with God on your own!
• Be careful where you spend your time, what you hear and watch!
• Connect with other Christians who are seeking the Lord! (there is a difference)
• Talk about your faith  and what God is teaching you with others!
• Be aware of your temptations and the attractiveness, deceitfulness, and destruction that sin has and causes!
• Encourage others! I call this words of life.

It’s going to take work, bu I believe, if we will do these things, we begin to guard our hearts as it says to do in Proverbs 4:23

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)

Today, Be Careful, Guard your Heart, and stay Faithful … the little things matter!