Devotions-Week 45-Nov 7-11, 2011

Monday, Nov. 7, 2011

Hebrews 4

REST

“...the promise remains of entering into His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest.”Heb. 4:1-3.

What do you think of when you hear or read the word: REST? Do you think of a vacation to the mountains or the beach? Do you think of peace and quiet away from the noise, phone, daily routine and kids? Do you ever think or feel that rest is impossible for you?

The rest that God promises (v. 1) is much more than a quiet morning in the mountains or on the beach.  It is a rest and calm of the soul! It is the peace that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:7). It is the peace that Jesus gives to His children who by faith, trust Him! He said:

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27).

“Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28.

Let Jesus have control and rest in Him!

Father, there is so much in my life that out of my control! I’m worried, fretful and fearful about many things!  Lord Jesus, I release these cares to You!  I need Your rest! I give my cares to You! Help me to rest IN YOU! In Jesus Name, Amen.

Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011

Hebrews 5

Our Great High Priest!

Many of us struggle with the book of Hebrews. Part of this difficulty comes from a lack of knowledge and understanding of Jewish history and religious practices.

The first High Priest of Israel was Aaron (Ex. 28:1/Heb. 4:4).  He was selected by God to represent Him to the people in the offering of “gifts and sacrifices for sin” (Heb. 5:1). While he was called of God and represented God, he was a man who sinned and offered sacrifices for his sin as well as the peoples!(v. 3).

We are unfamiliar with this way of worship, because it has been made obsolete by Jesus! We no longer have to take animals to church to be offered up as sacrifice for our sin! Jesus once and for all has paid for them (Heb. 9:26-28; 10:12-14). Praise the LORD!

Jesus is our “great High Priest who has passed through the heavens” (Heb. 4:14). He is a High Priest who can “sympathize with our weaknesses” for “He was tempted as we are, yet without sin...” (Heb. 4:15).   As our great High Priest “He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him…” (Heb. 5:9).

Do you know the Lord Jesus? Is He your great High Priest?  He is the “author of eternal salvation”.  If you know Him thank Him!  If you do not know Him, call up on Him today!

Thank You, Lord Jesus for being my great High Priest! Thank you for giving Your life for me! Thank you Your eternal salvation! In Jesus Name, Amen.

Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011

Hebrews 6

Moving on Up!

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe…” Heb. 5:12-13

“…let us go on to perfection…” Heb. 6:1b.

“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Heb. 6:11-12.

I thought of an old sitcom song this morning as I wrote these words. “Moving on Up, to the Top…”  Yes, it’s from the Jefferson’s and it might not apply real well, BUT it does make the point the writer of Hebrews was making: As believers we should be moving up in our spiritual maturity!

For too long, too many of those who claim to be “God’s people” have sat on the sideline watching others teach, pray, win the lost and disciple the new believers… when they “ought to be teachers…” themselves (5:12).

What about YOU? Are you growing? Are you serving? Are you giving of yourself to the Lord’s work in and through your local church?

Father, forgive me for becoming sluggish in my spiritual walk! Revive and restore me to a place of fruitful service! In Jesus Name, Amen.

Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011

Hebrews 7

Who is Melchizedek?

“The LORD has sworn and will not relent, You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” Heb. 7:21

There is a lot of mystery about Melchizedek because he appears only briefly in scripture (Gen. 14; Psa. 110:4). Melchizedek was an ancient King and Priest of Jerusalem, also known as Salem (see: Genesis 14:18-20 & Heb. 7:1-3).  He blessed Abraham and Abraham gave him tithes of all that he had. We do not have a genealogy or dates of his birth or death but he ruled in righteousness and peace (Heb. 7:2).

Melchizedek is a type, a picture, an early foreshadowing of Jesus: The eternal, righteous, King and great High Priest!

The Levitical priesthood of Aaron was unable to “perfect” man (Heb. 7:11). The Law “made nothing perfect…” BUT Jesus who was before Aaron and is eternal, offers a “better hope” (Heb. 7:19).

Our eternal King and Priest: “…Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant…because He continues forever… Therefore He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” Heb. 7:22-24

Father, I do not understand all there is about Melchizedek but I thank You for Jesus, my eternal King and High Priest! I thank you that You have saved me to the uttermost! I thank you for Jesus unending intercession for me! In Jesus name, Amen.

Friday, Nov. 11, 2011

Hebrew 8

What a Mediator!

“But now, He (Jesus) has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.” Heb. 8:6

There is one God and one Mediator between God and men the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Tim. 2:5.

A mediator is a “go-between”. Imagine two cliffs separated by a huge chasm.  God is on one side, He is holy, true, righteous and just! Men are on the other side:  sinful, selfish, unrighteous and unjust.  How can man and God get together? Jesus, God’s Son came and bridged the gap! He is our “go-between”.

A mediator is a “reconciler”.  A reconciler is one who brings those who were divided – together!  Paul tells us “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” (2 Cor. 5:19).

A mediator is an “intercessor”, one who pleads another’s cause!  Though we are sinful Jesus came and died for us (Rom. 5:6,8).  Though as His children we fail Him (1 John 1:8-9) and though Satan stands against us (Rev. 12:10). Jesus is in our corner!  He is in the presence of God “appearing” there for us (Heb. 9:24), interceding for us (Heb. 7:25).

What a Mediator!

Thank You Lord Jesus for being my go between, my reconciler and intercessor! Thank you for the new covenant in Your blood! Thank you for giving me a new life, new heart and new hope!  In Jesus name, Amen.