Some Thoughts from Hebrews 10

Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  Jesus came to do the will of God through being sacrificed on the cross.  Hebrews 10:10 says, “By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”  In the old sacrificial system, people would bring bulls and goats to be sacrificed at the temple for their sins.  However, Hebrews 10:4 says, “It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”  Those sacrifices pointed to the ultimate sacrifice—the one that would count.  Hebrews 10:18 tells us that there is no longer any need for a sacrifice because Christ was and remains our sacrifice.

Then we come to Hebrews 10:19-25.

“Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encourage one another; all the more, as you see the day drawing near” (NASB).

Because Christ paid the price for our sins and made the way for a relationship with God, we are invited into the very Holy of Holies, so to speak, to develop that relationship through prayer and worship of God almighty.  When we come together for worship, we are told to “draw near with a sincere heart.”  Oops!  Do we always do that?  Do we go to church with sincere hearts?

We’re told in Hebrews 10:23 to “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering.”  “Hold fast” means whatever you do, don’t let go!  Our hope is in Christ, and He is faithful.  The “confession” includes our word, for sure, but it is mainly about your life.  What are you confessing with your life or lifestyle?  Are you wavering in your walk with Christ?

What do we do if we are?  We encourage one another, not with a false assurance, but with the truth assurance that even when we are unfaithful, Christ remains faithful (see 2 Timothy 2:13).  We are to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.  Don’t give up!

And let us not forsake “our own assembling together, as is the habit of some.”  Church attendance is not a new problem.  The early church had to deal with it, too.  If we truly believe that Christ is Lord, I can’t imagine why we would approach Him in worship so flippantly, even to the point of not worshiping with fellow believers.  Now, I know sickness (the serious or contagious kinds) and other special travels come up, and you simply can’t be with your home church, but we shouldn’t ever look for reasons or excuses to miss church.  Church attendance is important to your spiritual health and the health of the church.  The fact is we need each other.

Be certain of this: if you haven’t been attending church regularly, you certainly have been missed.  Church is where we get encouragement and stimulation “to love and good deeds.”  Won’t you bless God and the church by going to a Bible-teaching church this Sunday?  You’ll be glad you did!

Disappointed?

Disappointed?  I am.  But the reelection of President Obama is just indicative of where our country is now, and just how far we have fallen morally.  This is not about one man, but about a nation.  Lincoln and Tocqueville were prophetic in their statements.

 “At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Bonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years. At what point, then, is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.” – Abraham Lincoln

 “America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” ― Alexis de Tocqueville

 Now, I realize that things certainly aren’t as bad as they could be, but the times certainly aren’t good.  What is disheartening is that so many in the nation now call evil “good” and good “evil.”

 After learning of the president’s reelection, I proceeded to my evening devotions.  Psalm 37 was the text.  In light of that, what’s a Christian to do?

1.       Don’t fret.  Don't worry.  Don't be anxious.

2.       Trust in the Lord.

3.       Do good.

4.       Cultivate faithfulness.

5.       Delight in the Lord.

6.       Commit your way to the Lord.

7.       Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.

 I invite you to read and think over Psalm 37 in its entirety.

 Don’t worry if your guy didn’t win the election, and don’t be angry.  Worry and anger only lead to more problems.  Wait patiently for God to make all things right.  There will be a payday someday.  Be humble.  The Lord sees and knows.

 Remember Psalm 37:16: “Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many wicked.”

 Also, don’t forget this truth.  No political leader brings salvation.  “The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in time of trouble.”  Our hope is in Christ.  Our hope is Christ.

 As a Christian, it is my duty to pray for the President.  I may not agree with his policies or his ideology, but He is my president.  “Fear God, honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17).

 I’m praying that my president will be blessed in the good things, and that his mind will be changed concerning evil things.  I’m praying that he will “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8).  I’m praying for his salvation.

 Won’t you join me?

Through Christ Alone

"For through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father" (Ephesians 2:18).

Only in Christ can we draw near to the Father. We draw near to God when we pray. The prayer relationship transforms us into Christ's likeness, because the Spirit is at work in us. Prayer is not really all about getting God to grant us favors.

Did you notice that the Trinity is mentioned here in this verse? I was once told that Paul was not trinitarian, but here you have mention of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 13:14 is another good example of Paul including all three members of the Trinity.

Christ is our all in all! He is "the way, and the truth, and the life." Only through Him do we approach God in relationship. Only through Christ do we experience the blessings of heaven and eternal life. The only way we can come boldly before the throne of God in prayer is because we are "in Christ."

Help me, Lord, to have a growing desire to spend more time with You in prayer. Guide my thoughts, words, and actions. Forgive me of my sin against You. Help me to learn from the wise and to be an example to the young. May everyone see Christ in me. I praise You, my God, for all Your mightiness and holiness. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Waiting for the Soul to Ripen

"My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him" (Psalm 62:5).

Have you ever had a conversation with yourself? Do you ever give yourself instructions? David did. He instructed his soul to wait for God. He faced dangers, toils, and snares all around him, yet David would rely on His God for help. David recognized that only God could provide his salvation. He calls God a "rock" and a "stronghold" (62:2). You should also take notice that, for David, it was personal. He called God "my rock" and my stronghold." Is God your rock? Is He your stronghold? Your defense? Your help in times of trouble? He wants to be; won't you let Him?

David also waited in silence for God. He didn't get loud or pretentious. He simply waited on God to act, for God would act and He did act. Remember that. God will act!

David waited in silence for God only. Many people look to many things for help, only to find that all those things don't help at all. In fact, more times than not, those "helps" only make matters worse. Depend on God alone. He is able! He is trustworthy! Indeed, He is God! David realized that hope, true hope, comes only from God.

How much time do you spend in prayer and Bible study? My hope is that these practices will improve as I continue walking with Christ. May God continue to mature me in Christ through His Word, the Bible, and through prayer. May He use my Bible reading and study to train me to think biblically, like Christ. Continue to ripen me, Lord, for Your glory!

Dear God, thank You for waiting on me. Help me always to wait on You and Your guidance. May I long for You all of my days. I love You, Lord. Thank You for loving me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Waiting Is Good

"But I don't want to wait!" We hear this so often. We think this too often. Who really likes to wait?

"When is this pot of water going to boil?" "How long is this redlight?" "Will this take very long?" "Three minutes is too long to wait on this popcorn. I want it now!" We frequently think of waiting in negative terms.

But waiting is also a good thing. Hear the Word of the Lord: "The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him" (Lamentations 3:25).

There is blessings from the Lord in the waiting period. Actually, if we take this verse to heart, the waiting can be more profitable than the thing for which we are waiting. God is good. He is good to those who wait on Him. In waiting on Him, we can seek Him and His desires for our lives.

We might just discover that the thing we desire simply isn't desirable. Seek the Lord! Knowing Him is better than anything else. Seek Him while there is opportunity.

I thank You, Lord, for being good to me by saving me and calling me into Your service. Your blessings overwhelm me. Help me to always wait on You. Encourage me daily to seek you. Forgive me where and when I fail you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Baby Doll High Chair

This is my second carpentry project. I found the plans on ana-white.com. It was a gift for Isabella. Sophia's has been cut out, I just have to assemble it.

Are you a frog or a lizard? That's a funny and strange question, right? Let me explain.

I've been reading a book called Show and then Tell: Presenting the Gospel through Daily Encounters by Kent and Davidene Humphreys. In it I read about the difference between the eating habits of frogs and lizards.

A frog will simply sit and wait. If a bug happens to come near, the frog simply sticks his tongue out and gets his meal.

The lizard, however, has to hunt for his food. I'm told that if a lizard sits and waits like a frog, he would starve to death.

The book went on to explain that there are two types of ministers: the frogs and the lizards. The "frogs" are the pastors, associate pastors, youth ministers, etc. Like the insects coming to the frog, ministry opportunities come to them automatically by the nature of their job. The "lizards" are the so-called regular people. They are doctors, nurses, teachers, mechanics, grocers, bankers, clerks, lawyers, architects, homemakers, secretaries, managers, salesmen, etc. They have to be intentional in their pursuit of ministry opportunities. They have to hunt for the opportunities to share the love of Christ with others.

Frogs and lizards are both useful to God and His plan here on earth for salvation and for helping others.

So which one are you? When I ask myself this question, I must confess that I feel like some sort of bizarre creature who can transform from a frog to a lizard and vice versa. Since I am bi vocational, I spend time as a frog and as a lizard. However, whether I am a frog or a lizard, my aim everyday is to bring honor and glory to Jesus Christ. I hope that is your goal as well.

"Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I've warned you of them many times; sadly, I'm having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street....Don't waver. Stay on track, steady in God" (Phil. 3:17-4:1, The Message).

The Red River Shootout

That's right folks! It's that time again...time for the Red River Shootout, which features the OU Sooners versus the UT Longhorns. Now, I know that the NCAA would prefer me to call it the Red River Rivalry, but that's just dumb. They say "shootout" promotes violence, but after all, it's football (and not the powderpuff kind).

In honor of the big game, here are some jokes at the expense of UT's recent reputation for getting into trouble with the law. Enjoy!

1. What do you call a drug ring in Austin? A huddle.


2. Four UT Longhorns in a car , who's driving? The police.


3. The UT Longhorns have adopted a new "Honor System". Yes your Honor, no your Honor.


4. The UT Longhorns knew they had to do something for their defense, so theyhired a new defensive coordinator: F. Lee Bailey.


5. How do the UT Longhorns spend their first week at fall practice? Studying their Miranda rights.


6. What do you say to a Longhorn in a suit? Will the defendant please rise?


7. If you see Longhorn football player on a bike , why don't you swerve to hit him? It might be your bike!


8. The Longhorns employ scouts. But to look out for cops , not to scout high school kids.


9. I heard a rumor that the Texas Department of Corrections plans to build a new prison in Austin , Texas. It will allow players to walk to school.


10. What do you call it when a Longhorn goes on vacation? Time off for good behavior.


11. Why couldn't the Longhorn get into a huddle on the football field? It's a parole violation to associate with known felons.


12. Obviously Coach Mack Brown is not paying his players if they have to resort to robbing people.


13. Book 'em, Horns!

BOOMER SOONER!!!

September Reading

1. Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community - Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I recommend this to any committed Christian.
2. The Dangerous Book for Boys - Gonn & Hal Iggulden. This is for boys of all ages.
3. The Plague - Albert Camus. I don't recommend this to anyone. This is the worst book I've read this year.
4. John Newton: Author of "Amazing Grace" - Anne Sandberg. I recommend this wonderful little biography to anyone.
5. Confessions of a Reformission Rev.: Hard Lessons From An Emerging Missional Church - Mark Driscol. This is for the pastor or church planter.

August Reading

1. The First Man - Albert Camus
2. The Abolition of Man - C. S. Lewis
3. Velvet Elvis - Rob Bell
4. When Hollywood Says Yes, How Can America Say No? - Gene Wolfenbarger
5. Destined For The Throne - Paul E. Billheimer
6. Gems For The Journey - Bob Cole