The Everyday Prayer

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 11:1-2,32-40; 12:1-3, 12-17 (day seven)
“By faith (they) conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, (and) shut the mouths of lions. . .Others experienced mockings and scourgings. . .they were stoned, they were sawn in two.”  (11:33, 36-37)  Christians have two kinds of spiritual heroes.  People who trust God into triumph AND people who trust Him to death without any apparent vindication or victory (in this world, at least).  As a Pastor, I have known believers who experienced miraculous rescue.  I have also known those who endured pain and injury without complaint for long and patient years.  The lesson?  Faith’s reward is not always now.  Never completely now.  (Kipling says that triumph and disaster are both “imposters”.)  The real value of life will only be known when God declares it in eternity.  Whether they win or get wiped out, our heroes all tell us the same thing.  Trust God!  He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  Always!  Eventually!

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 11:1-2, 32-40; 12:1-3, 12-17 (day five)

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us”. When I read the scripture, I am frequently reminded about my own weakness and inability to navigate life without the risk and ample opportunities of sin, burdens, and selfishness to take their toll on me. Any reminder that would prompt me to re-direct my attention and recalibrate my priorities is SO helpful.  So, I pause to pray.  I ask God to examine my heart and mind (for burdens and sin vs.1).  I ask God to help me have a disciplined and determined focus on The One who is writing my story (vs. 2); I ask God for energy and strength to press back against any discouragement or desire to slow down or quit on “my race” (vs. 3).

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 11:1-2, 32-40; 12:1-3, 12-17 (day four)
It always seems to take me by surprise.  I begin to read of the acts of righteousness, the miracles of overcoming great odds, and the mighty power of faith demonstrated in the lives of men and women.  Then I read verse 35ff…”others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.  They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death…”  Wait a minute!  We were talking about great miracles of deliverance and feats of power.  What is this description of defeat and loss?  Does faith reside in the pain and suffering of life as well?  The circumstances of our life do not determine our faith.  Our faith transcends the circumstances of life.  Faith comes from God because He has provided something much better for us than temporary victory.  We must keep our eyes upon the faithful God!

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 11:1-12:17 (Day Three)
“Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead.” When Abraham heard God tell him to sacrifice Isaac, he knew who was directing him to do such a thing. Abraham already had a long history with God. Each ability of God’s that Abraham saw over time brought him a clearer understanding of God’s power: He knew God could lead him across hundreds of miles of trackless territory to a new home; he knew God could help him lead an army to victory; he knew God could give an old man and old woman a son in their old age. By the time of this demand, Abraham knew God’s character and power—even though he did not know how it would all end. He went up Moriah to where he did not know, based on what he did know of God. That’s faith.

RE Verse reading-Hebrews 11:1-2, 32-40; 12:1-3, 12-17 (days two) “who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right and of the throne of God.”

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 11:1-2, 32-40; 12:1-3, 12-17 (day one)
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us.”  (v 12:1)  No one is suggesting it is easy.  To trust Christ, to walk by the Spirit in a material/secular age is a daily demanding task.  And a lonely one.  But we are not alone!  Believers are always surrounded by people from the past (now living in heavenly places) who also walked by faith and therefore understand the challenges we face.  Chapter 11 names a few of them.  Chapter 12 helps us hear them cheering for us as we run our race.  You are not alone, dear one!  You are surrounded by people who know the discouragements and the fears and the available resources.  They know the race and the rewards.  Can you hear them cheering for you?

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 10:19-39 (day seven)  “We are not those who shrink back to destruction.” (v 39)  “Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.”  (v 25)  The danger is very real.  Not that we would deny  Christ with our words, but with our actions.  Two examples.  One psychological.  The other congregational.  Shrink back is a Greek word that literally means, “to gather under”.  It pictures a person who retreats into self and becomes unwilling to face challenges.  “I am tired of getting ‘beat up’ “, he says.  “I will do what is good for ME.”  This secret shift of focus will have one noticeable sign.  He will stop showing up for meetings.  Worship.  Business Conference.  Sunday school.  Not that attendance is the primary virtue, but  others need his encouragement and he is gradually less willing to give it.  The danger is real.  We deny Christ by retreating from other believers and into self.

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 10:19-39 (day six)  “Remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings. . .therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has great reward.”  (v 32, 35)  Sometimes we forget.  The good old days weren’t entirely good.  Time tends to soften the memories, but we made sacrifices.  We faced stress.  Building a family or a church or business, there were (and always will be) prices to be paid (time, attention, effort).  One benefit of looking back is to see this truth, and to recognize that giving up now would make all the sacrifices of the past meaningless.  No marathon runner would complete 25 miles (0f a 26.2 mile race) and not finish!  Neither should we.  False logic says, “I have done enough.  I am going to quit.”  Eternal logic says, “I have taken many steps.  I am determined to finish.”  “Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come”.  Great reward ahead!  Don’t quit now!

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 10:19-39 (day five)
Verse 24 “And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds”. “The bible knows nothing of solitary religion” – John Wesley One of the many insights I have gained from reading Hebrews in this series has been the writer’s frequent uses of the plural forms of pronouns. This letter is chocked full of prompts for community, accountability, and unity. In verse 24 “we” are instructed to take initiative and encourage healthy action and attitudes in the hearts and lives of our church family. Pretty bold!! What would motivate us to interact that way? Romans 2:2 claims God’s motive for challenge and conviction is kindness. What if we had that type of love and affection for our church family? I think others would take note. John 13:35

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 10:19-39 (day four)
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”  While you have today, you can begin to count on Jesus Christ–the only one who can teach you to live an eternal kind of life.  While you are alive in this life, you can decide to hear him, to get to know him.  You might not have much, but you have today.