The Everyday Prayer

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 10:19-39 (day 5)
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.

I had my own moments of refusing to learn and grow this week thanks to Apple (new iPhone software).  Progress, opportunity, and effectiveness often require tenacity, patience, and perspective.  Just when I’m ready to give up and chunk my phone, I read a review or hear a comment about the wonderful new and productive things iPhones can now do.  This is not a commercial for cellular products but rather a testimony of the tendency of human nature to resist and reject progress and change.  When I read on in this passage I see the potential: discerning good and evil (5:14), assurance of hope till the end (6:11) and an inheritance of God’s promises (6:12).  So, I thank God for the reminder of my own tendencies and ask for grace and strength to listen, learn, and grow.

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 5:11-14; 6:1-12 (day four)
Verse 11 says, “Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain since you have become dull of hearing.”  These are believers who have a relationship with Christ…how have they become ‘dull of hearing’?  ‘Dull of hearing’ means they cannot comprehend the mature things of faith.  They are still returning to the basics of the faith and are not ready for the ‘word of righteousness’.  Verse 14 gives us a clue…the mature practices his spiritual senses in order to discern good and evil.  Just as there are good practices to follow to become an excellent athlete, bad practices can tear down the body and destroy an athlete’s strength.  As believers, we often allow sin in our lives that dulls our spiritual senses.  Reading a questionable book or magazine, watching inappropriate movies or TV shows, or viewing sinful internet sites…these can all dull your spiritual senses.  If you want to be mature in your faith, practice discernment!

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 5:11-14; 6:1-12 (day one)
“But beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you. . .though we are speaking in this way.”  (6:9)  He is the kind of Pastor I want to be.  The kind I need.  He is convinced, with the other church leaders, that his Hebrew/Christian friends could do better.  That God would make it possible for them to do so.  Not that he was naive to the challenges.  In 5:11 he points out how dull their hearts have become.  In 6:1 he outlines their duty to press forward into maturity.  In 6:4 he warns of the danger of being disqualified.  (We will talk more of this difficult paragraph this week)  However, despite the difficulties ahead, he is confident, convinced of better things!  “Now unto HIM who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy”  (Jude 24)  True Pastors see hope because they see HIM who is able.

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-10 (day seven)
It is one of the characteristics of the book of Hebrews.  “Let us” statements.  Words that encourage group obedience.  Notice today’s reading.  “LET US hold fast our confession.” (v 14)  “LET US draw near with confidence to the throne of grace.”  (v 16)  Last week’s lesson has several others.  “LET US fear . . .(lest) any one of us. . . come short. (4:1)  “LET US be diligent to enter that rest.”  (v 4:11)  We learn two important things from these statements.  1) The Christian faith requires action.  2) We are to act together with others, as members of a team, body or family.  Neither solitary obedience or inactive membership is the will of God.  Find a church!  Join it!  Imagine it as a context for group obedience!  Encourage others!  “LET US consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling, as is the habit of some.”  (10:24-25)  May the Lord be pleased as we gather this morning!

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-10 (day six)  “In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears.”  (5:7)  Did Jesus have hard days?  Not just circumstantially hard, but spiritually hard?  The Scripture says, “Yes”, without any hesitation.  In the garden of Gethsemene, the Lord wept out his frustration and burden.  Hours on His knees.  It was hard!  Which gives us a different perspective on suffering.  “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you. . .as though some strange thing were happening to you.”  (1 Peter 4:12)  “I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.”  (Ephesians 3:13)  At one level, no believer is glad to suffer.  At the deepest level, we know that God allows these moments to accomplish His will in us and in the world.  Hard days do not mean that we are forsaken.  They means that we are human, and that Christ understands.

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-10 (day five)
Verse 16 – Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, Let me make sure I read this correctly. We are encouraged to approach the Holy Throne of the Living God with “confidence”? How is that possible? Is there ever a time we could approach the throne and not have a need or issue of some sort? So the big question is… Where does confidence come from?

It comes from a heart that believes seated on the throne is someone much wiser and much bigger (full of infinite resources). Confidence comes from a heart convinced that seated on the Throne is someone who desires to engage and guide. Confidence comes from the promises at the end of verse 16: “discovery and take-a-way” (find grace, receive mercy). It comes from the testimony of others’ experiences with the same Good God (Psalm 118, 1 Timothy 1:12-16).

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-10 (day four)
Verse 14 – “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.”  Confession…what exactly is this confession we are to hold to?  Our side notes reference us back to Hebrews 3:1 where the writer of Hebrews exhorts us to “consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.”  Let’s go back another layer…look at John 17:3.  In Jesus’ High Priestly prayer, He says, “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”  This verse gives us the confession.  It answers the question of who Jesus is…He is sent from God.  He was sent from God as our High Priest.  After His death on the cross, the veil in the Temple was rent.  Jesus opened for us access to the Father!  We are to hold fast to the work of Christ that restored our standing before God!

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 4:14-5:10 (Day Three)
“He was heard because of his reverent submission.”  Until one fears God, prayer is a placebo.  It might be eloquent.  It might be solemn.  One might even really mean it.  But until one approaches God with the understanding that though he is love, he is also dangerous, prayer will accomplish nothing except to bring a little comfort to the mind—and that only temporarily.  Our Lord took God seriously.  And God heard him.