If I were running headlong into oncoming traffic, would you stop me? What if your little brother or sister was playing with matches? Would you take them away & give them a good talking to? I hope you would! Getting involved and stopping someone from hurting themselves or others shows love. If you didn't care, why would you intervene?
God cares! He doesn't just stand by & let you keep hurting yourself & others over & over again. Instead He disciplines us to keep us safe, to help us stop making those same mistakes over & over. Unfortunately, many of us bristle at the word discipline. We want to be left alone, we don't want any consequences. Just let me live my life & leave me alone. I think this attitude comes from a misunderstanding of the word discipline. I think we liken it to punishment. BUT - these are two completely different concepts:
Discipline - 1. Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior,
especially training that produces moral or mental improvement. 2. Discipline means a field of study or is training to fix incorrect behavior or create better skills.
Punishment - 1. a punishing or being punished 2. a penalty imposed on an offender for a crime or wrongdoing 3. harsh or injurious treatment
Do you see the difference? Discipline is training that gives you good skills. Discipline is given out of love & relationship. It is a desire to see an improvement in the life of the disciplined. Punishment is a harsh penalty imposed on an offender. You did this, so now you're going to get this. It's given out by an impartial judge. It's not about relationship.
So, when you receive discipline, don't give up, don't get an attitude, & don't ignore it! Pay attention and receive it with grace so you become the person you are meant to be.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Hebrews 11:1-40
What is faith? It's "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." At lot of the time, we think the Old Testament was all about how well someone could follow the rules and the New Testament is all about Jesus setting up a new system. Not true. It's always been about faith. The author goes on to list many people who followed God's directions by faith. It wasn't that they did what God said, it was that they believed what God said. That's true relationship! If you really believe that God is who He says He is, that He created the world & everything in it - including you, & that He's knows what's best for you - then you would follow Him where He leads you because you believe that He really will do what He says He will do.
Are you following God? Even if you don't see the results, are you willing to have faith that God will do what He said He would do in His perfect timing?
Are you following God? Even if you don't see the results, are you willing to have faith that God will do what He said He would do in His perfect timing?
Friday, March 16, 2012
Hebrews 10:19-39
Therefore. I love "therefore" in the Bible. It means that the author has built his case & is now bringing it on home.
Therefore, since Jesus is superior to angels, Moses, and the priesthood. Since His covenant is superior to the old one - confidently live out your faith. Know that God is God & Jesus is your salvation. Don't second guess yourself. Meet with and encourage other believers.
Always remember not to let your confidence make you proud - thinking that you're doing it on your own or that it's ok to just spit in God's face because Jesus' blood covers you. Always respect Jesus for His sacrifice. God did not tolerate those who rejected the law in the Old Covenant & God will not tolerate those who reject Jesus in the New.
Therefore, since Jesus is superior to angels, Moses, and the priesthood. Since His covenant is superior to the old one - confidently live out your faith. Know that God is God & Jesus is your salvation. Don't second guess yourself. Meet with and encourage other believers.
Always remember not to let your confidence make you proud - thinking that you're doing it on your own or that it's ok to just spit in God's face because Jesus' blood covers you. Always respect Jesus for His sacrifice. God did not tolerate those who rejected the law in the Old Covenant & God will not tolerate those who reject Jesus in the New.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Hebrews 10:1-18
Why don't we still sacrifice according to the ceremonial law? The animal sacrifices were only an annual reminder of sin, they do not take away sin. Jesus came to do God's will - to offer a perfect sacrifice. As the scripture says, "He sets aside the first to establish the second." (vs. 9) Jesus completed in one sacrifice what could not be accomplished in the daily sacrifice. Through Christ's sacrifice, the law is now written in our hearts and our minds, our sins are remembered no more. Praise the Lord!
Since there has been forgiveness, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. Jesus has already accomplished it!
Since there has been forgiveness, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. Jesus has already accomplished it!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Hebrews 9:11-28
The Blood of Christ:
The old covenant of sacrifice required something outwardly pure to die in place of your sins. For without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin, for the wages of sin is death. This made you outwardly clean & symbolized a cleansed heart. Jesus Christ was internally pure. His sacrifice makes us internally clean and provides us with eternal life.
Remember, the tabernacle and temple are earthly models of the real deal in heaven. When Christ died, His blood wasn't spilled on earthly models, He didn't enter the Most Holy Place with his offering. No, He entered heaven and appeared before God with His sacrifice. What has been done over and over as an act of remembrance has been completed once and for all by Jesus Christ. His blood is enough, it is all that is needed. Praise the Lord!
The old covenant of sacrifice required something outwardly pure to die in place of your sins. For without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin, for the wages of sin is death. This made you outwardly clean & symbolized a cleansed heart. Jesus Christ was internally pure. His sacrifice makes us internally clean and provides us with eternal life.
Remember, the tabernacle and temple are earthly models of the real deal in heaven. When Christ died, His blood wasn't spilled on earthly models, He didn't enter the Most Holy Place with his offering. No, He entered heaven and appeared before God with His sacrifice. What has been done over and over as an act of remembrance has been completed once and for all by Jesus Christ. His blood is enough, it is all that is needed. Praise the Lord!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Hebrews 9:1-10
The Old Covenant Worship -
The tabernacle was built by the Israelites in the desert according to the detailed plans God gave them. It consisted of a large tent divided into two rooms. The first room was the Holy Place. Priests served here. The second room was called the Most Holy Place. Only the chief priest was able to enter this room. When he entered, he had to go through an external purification process to show that he was cleansing himself from sin because the Most Holy Place was place where God's presence resided.
Yet, our author's tell us that this place was all external - shadows and illustrations for what was to come. It taught the people to respect and honor God. It also taught them that their sins separate them from God. But things were about to change. We'll read about that tomorrow.
The tabernacle was built by the Israelites in the desert according to the detailed plans God gave them. It consisted of a large tent divided into two rooms. The first room was the Holy Place. Priests served here. The second room was called the Most Holy Place. Only the chief priest was able to enter this room. When he entered, he had to go through an external purification process to show that he was cleansing himself from sin because the Most Holy Place was place where God's presence resided.
Yet, our author's tell us that this place was all external - shadows and illustrations for what was to come. It taught the people to respect and honor God. It also taught them that their sins separate them from God. But things were about to change. We'll read about that tomorrow.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Hebrews 8:1-13
The Old Covenant of sacrifice & the temple was built on constant renewal. Once again, man is imperfect, so he constantly needed to atone for his sins. The Temple was designed by God, but since man was in charge of it, it slowly became a place of corruption and greed. Many priests became prideful of their positions, authority, and power. They focused on selfish ambition rather than humble service. This left the people with an external faith. A knowledge of the laws and necessities of worship, without ever knowing God. Most served out of duty and obligation.
God formed a new covenant that made faith internal. The laws are no longer held in a building, they are now written on our hearts. Our mediator isn't an imperfect man, He is a perfect king. Our mediator isn't slowly dying, He is alive forevermore. We don't have to go to a building, or go through an imperfect person anymore. We simply need to listen to the Holy Spirit that now resides in our hearts & speak directly to God. Our renewal was completed on the cross - there is no need to keep going back for more. Our relationship with God has become just that - our relationship. It is strengthened through our own choices. Do you want to get closer to God? Your pastor, youth leader, parents, and friends won't bring you closer. Only you can do that now. So, read your Bible, spend time in prayer, & start living out your faith.
God formed a new covenant that made faith internal. The laws are no longer held in a building, they are now written on our hearts. Our mediator isn't an imperfect man, He is a perfect king. Our mediator isn't slowly dying, He is alive forevermore. We don't have to go to a building, or go through an imperfect person anymore. We simply need to listen to the Holy Spirit that now resides in our hearts & speak directly to God. Our renewal was completed on the cross - there is no need to keep going back for more. Our relationship with God has become just that - our relationship. It is strengthened through our own choices. Do you want to get closer to God? Your pastor, youth leader, parents, and friends won't bring you closer. Only you can do that now. So, read your Bible, spend time in prayer, & start living out your faith.
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