Tag Archives: the book of Hebrews

July 7
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“Now that we know what we have — Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God — let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all — all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.” (Hebrews 4:14-16, The Message)

If you believe that asking for help as a sign of weakness, you’re right! It is a sign of weakness.

Knowing our true state, God has provided the example of His Son — tested in every human situation, and having passed each test with a perfect score; and He has provided His own spirit to give us the inspiration and the power to succeed.

Trouble and trial stalk us like prey. “Take the mercy. Accept the help.”  – Luther

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June 4
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“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'” (Hebrews 13:5, NIV)

The thought of Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) on the latter half of this scripture is particularly appropriate to consider when we are in the routines of daily living.

Says Chambers: “Sometimes it is not difficulty that makes me think God will forsake me, but drudgery. There is no Hill Difficulty to climb, no vision given, nothing wonderful or beautiful, just the commonplace day in and day out – can I hear God’s say-so in these things?”

The truth of life is that most of the days of our lives will not be spent in the valley of difficulty or frustration; nor on the mountaintop of excitement and personal achievement — but on the plains of our routines.

The reality is that if we can hear and obey God in the mundane places, where our senses are blunted by the routines of living; we will certainly hear Him when our senses are most attuned to Him in the valley or on the pinnacle.

Use the long, level, boring, spaces in your life to cultivate your relationship with our heavenly Father.  – Luther

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February 25
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“But exhort [encourage] one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:13, KJV)

Do not underestimate the power of personal example.

Sin is deceitful (e. g. tricky) because it always promises much and delivers little. Fellow disciples who are immature, inexperienced, or ignorant of God’s word are prime candidates for sin’s deceit.

Sin blunts the power of God’s spirit within us because it causes our heart to become less receptive (e. g. hardened) to both the Spirit’s guidance, and to the Spirit’s gifts. The farther we are from God, the smaller God seems.  The antidote to this kind of atrophy is the “exercise” of growing ever closer to our heavenly Father.

We can be of immeasurable help to others at risk of sin’s deceit; and to those at risk of becoming hardened to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and gifts, by using every opportunity — every day — to testify (e. g. give voice) to the active presence and the loving care of our heavenly Father through our personal example.  – Luther

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