The Everyday Prayer

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.

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 10:19-39 (day three)
The writer of Hebrews addresses two groups of people in this passage.  In verses 19-25, he speaks to those who have believed.  They have heard the gospel and through Christ, have entered into the presence of God.  In verses 26-31, he speaks to those who choose to remain in sin.  God is a God of love, but He is also a God of justice.  His love demands His justice.  The writer says that we should not expect God to just overlook our sin.  We cannot counterbalance our sin with good works.  Verse 31 says, “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”  This is where we learn of the importance of a ‘fear of God.’  To recognize the majesty and glory of our holy, infinite, omnipotent, omniscient, and ever present God inspires a fear.  Moses, Gideon, Isaiah and John trembled to the core of their being before God. Thankfully, as believers, our fear does not include judgment…but don’t forget discipline!

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 10:19-39 (day two)
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Heb. 10:23-24

Because the Lord is faithful we can rest confidently in hope; what a comforting and reassuring verse, but it is the next sentence that call us to action. How often do we consider how we can move others towards love and good deeds. The hope that we have found in Christ is not ours alone to hoard away for a rainy day. After we have secured hope we should move to share it with others. Can you imagine how this can change the way Christians communicate with the world? Not just non-believers, but everyone! Because you have found hope today, consider love.

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 10:19-39 (day one)
To read Hebrews is to review the Old Testament, and no passage is more important than Habakkuk 2:3-4 (quoted in today’s lesson, v 37-38)  “For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail.  Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay.  Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by faith.”  Claiming that God uses years to accomplish His work (and that patience is, therefore, required of God’s people), the prophet Habakkuk also declares that true faith continues, perseveres, waits. . .even when it is difficult to do so.  Pride doesn’t.  Pride demands immediate answers.  It protests the difficulty and shrinks back from the daily task that trust is.  Faith doesn’t.  Faith believes that “confidence will be richly rewarded”. (v 35)  And the difference between the two attitudes is life itself!

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 5:11-14; 6:1-12 (day seven)
“Land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed.  In the end it will be burned.”  (v 6:8)  It is an interesting question.  Important.  If I am saved, am I safe?  The answer depends on a follow-up question.  Safe from what?  Some believe that Hebrews 6 refers to believers who lose their salvation by “falling away” from Christ.  I disagree.  “He who began a good work in you will complete it” says Philippians 1:6.  Salvation is a gift from God that cannot be taken from us.  The danger for the true believer is that by falling away from Christ we experience His discipline.  “If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:15)   Sin has consequences that we should fear.  Being saved doesn’t make us safe from the danger of God’s holiness.  Only reverent obedience can do that.

Re: Verse Reading–Hebrews 5:11-14; 6:1-12 (day six)
“By this time you ought to be teachers, (but) you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of. . . God.”  (v 5:12)  One factor that God uses in His righteous judgment is to compare what we are with what we could have been.”  Provision compared to progress.  To whom much is given. . .When God provides resources and time and teachers and pastors, He expects a return on His investment.  What return?  Progress in faith so that we, ourselves, become the teachers of the next generation of new/growing believers.  It is ungrateful to do otherwise.  Perpetual infancy, extended irresponsibility is evidence of a heart that receives the grace of God without embracing the purpose of God.  We become land (see 6:7) that drinks in the rain but never bothers to bear fruit.  Such ground is close to being cursed and WILL BE burned.  What an ungrateful (and dangerous) way for a believer to live!

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!