November 2
Sabbath Rest

Hebrews 4

New International Version (NIV)

A Sabbath-Rest for the People of God

4 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. ² For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.^{[a] 3} Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,

“So I declared on oath in my anger,
    ‘They shall never enter my rest.’”^[b]

And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. ⁴ For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.”^{[c] 5} And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”

⁶ Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, ⁷ God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:

“Today, if you hear his voice,
    do not harden your hearts.”^[d]

⁸ For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. ⁹ There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; ¹⁰ for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works,^[e] just as God did from his. ¹¹ Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

¹² For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ¹³ Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Jesus the Great High Priest

¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,^[f] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
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Footnotes:

1. Hebrews 4:2 Some manuscripts because those who heard did not combine it with faith
2. Hebrews 4:3 Psalm 95:11; also in verse 5
3. Hebrews 4:4 Gen. 2:2
4. Hebrews 4:7 Psalm 95:7,8
5. Hebrews 4:10 Or labor
6. Hebrews 4:14 Greek has gone through the heavens

November 1
Soft Hearted

Hebrews 3

New International Version (NIV)

3 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. ² He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. ³ Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. ⁴ For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. ⁵ “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,”^[a] bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. ⁶ But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.

Warning Against Unbelief

⁷ So, as the Holy Spirit says:

“Today, if you hear his voice,
⁸     do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion,
    during the time of testing in the wilderness,
⁹ where your ancestors tested and tried me,
    though for forty years they saw what I did.
¹⁰ That is why I was angry with that generation;
    I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray,
    and they have not known my ways.’
¹¹ So I declared on oath in my anger,
    ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”^[b]

¹² See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. ¹³ But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. ¹⁴ We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. ¹⁵ As has just been said:

“Today, if you hear his voice,
    do not harden your hearts
    as you did in the rebellion.”^[c]

¹⁶ Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? ¹⁷ And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness? ¹⁸ And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? ¹⁹ So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

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We are warned again and again to not harden our hearts against the Word of God... nor against the Lord Jesus Christ and the Gospel.

We can't receive salvation, relationship or any other good thing, as long as we remain closed off and our hearts turned to stone against the work of God in our lives.

 

What does it take to soften your heart?

Will you open up to the Lord and allow Him full access to your heart and mind?

Stay in the Word of God and pray purposefully to Him to help you today!

 

 

Footnotes:

1. Hebrews 3:5 Num. 12:7
2. Hebrews 3:11 Psalm 95:7-11
3. Hebrews 3:15 Psalm 95:7,8

October 31
Jesus Made Fully Human

Hebrews 2

New International Version (NIV)

2 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. ² For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, ³ how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. ⁴ God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

⁵ It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. ⁶ But there is a place where someone has testified:

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    a son of man that you care for him?
⁷ You made them a little^[a] lower than the angels;
    you crowned them with glory and honor
⁸     and put everything under their feet.”^[b][c]

In putting everything under them,^[d] God left nothing that is not subject to them.^[e] Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them.^{[f] 9} But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

¹⁰ In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. ¹¹ Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.^{[g] 12} He says,

“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
    in the assembly I will sing your praises.”^[h]

¹³ And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”^[i]

And again he says,

“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”^[j]

¹⁴ Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— ¹⁵ and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. ¹⁶ For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. ¹⁷ For this reason he had to be made like them,^[k] fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

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"Jesus Made Fully Human" sounds like the headline from a tabloid newspaper that we read while waiting our turn at the checkout counter.

Only if it really were real, there would be pictures!

 

The thing is: JESUS WAS MADE FULLY HUMAN! And he came here to rescue us, his fully human children, because we could not save ourselves.

He of course, was also still fully God.

He came to us as a baby.... grew to manhood .... and gave his fully human life up for you and me.

After we have received the message about Jesus Christ and read the word of God, how can we not love him?

 

Question to ponder:
Are you giving careful attention to what the Lord has instructed you?

Have you taken steps to avoid "drifting away"?

Are there instructions from the Bible that you find easy to ignore?

 

 

Footnotes:

1. Hebrews 2:7 Or them for a little while
2. Hebrews 2:8 Psalm 8:4-6
3. Hebrews 2:8 Or ⁷ You made him a little lower than the angels;/ you crowned him with glory and honor/ ⁸ and put everything under his feet.”
4. Hebrews 2:8 Or him
5. Hebrews 2:8 Or him
6. Hebrews 2:8 Or him
7. Hebrews 2:11 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verse 12; and in 3:1, 12; 10:19; 13:22.
8. Hebrews 2:12 Psalm 22:22
9. Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:17
10. Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:18
11. Hebrews 2:17 Or like his brothers

Note to readers. October 30.

I apologize for late posts. We are experiencing computer difficulties and haven't been able to diagnose the problem yet.
Thank you for your patience. Andi

October 30
Sustaining Power

Hebrews 1

New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Christ Is God’s Son

1 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. ² And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. ³ The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. ⁴ This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.

The Son Is Greater Than the Angels

⁵ For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus:

“You are my Son.
    Today I have become your Father.^[a]”

God also said,

“I will be his Father,
    and he will be my Son.”^[b]

⁶ And when he brought his supreme^[c] Son into the world, God said,^[d]

“Let all of God’s angels worship him.”^[e]

⁷ Regarding the angels, he says,

“He sends his angels like the winds,
    his servants like flames of fire.”^[f]

⁸ But to the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.
    You rule with a scepter of justice.
⁹ You love justice and hate evil.
    Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you,
    pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.”^[g]

¹⁰ He also says to the Son,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth
    and made the heavens with your hands.
¹¹ They will perish, but you remain forever.
    They will wear out like old clothing.
¹² You will fold them up like a cloak
    and discard them like old clothing.
But you are always the same;
    you will live forever.”^[h]

¹³ And God never said to any of the angels,

“Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
    until I humble your enemies,
    making them a footstool under your feet.”^[i]

¹⁴ Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.

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Question to ponder:

Are you aware of the sustaining power of Christ at work in your life?

Without looking deeply into your life, make a quick list of ways in which you KNOW that the Lord sustains you.

Footnotes:

1. 1:5a Or Today I reveal you as my Son. Ps 2:7.
2. 1:5b 2 Sam 7:14.
3. 1:6a Or firstborn.
4. 1:6b Or when he again brings his supreme Son [or firstborn Son] into the world, God will say.
5. 1:6c Deut 32:43.
6. 1:7 Ps 104:4 (Greek version).
7. 1:8-9 Ps 45:6-7.
8. 1:10-12 Ps 102:25-27.
9. 1:13 Ps 110

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 29
I Thank God for You

Philemon 1

New International Version (NIV)

¹ Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— ² also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home:

³ Grace and peace to you^[a] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

⁴ I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, ⁵ because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. ⁶ I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. ⁷ Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus

⁸ Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, ⁹ yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— ¹⁰ that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus,^[b] who became my son while I was in chains. ¹¹ Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
¹² I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. ¹³ I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. ¹⁴ But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. ¹⁵ Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— ¹⁶ no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.
¹⁷ So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. ¹⁸ If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. ¹⁹ I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. ²⁰ I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. ²¹ Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
²² And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.

²³ Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. ²⁴ And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

²⁵ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
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Footnotes:

1. Philemon 1:3 The Greek is plural; also in verses 22 and 25; elsewhere in this letter “you” is singular.
2. Philemon 1:10 Onesimus means useful.

October 28

Titus 3 

Profitable and Productive

New International Version (NIV)

Saved in Order to Do Good

3 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, ² to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

³ At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ⁸ This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
⁹ But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. ¹⁰ Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. ¹¹ You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

Final Remarks

¹² As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. ¹³ Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. ¹⁴ Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.
¹⁵ Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all.
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How do you spend your time?
What you do with your time is important to God.
The Apostle speaks to this, twice in this short passage. 
vs 9  foolish controversies and geneologies, arguments and quarrels about the law.... unprofitable, useless.
vs 14 devotion to doing what is good to provide for urgent needs... and you will not live an unproductive life. 

Only you can evaluate the use you make of your time, but God does see and he does know with the tick of every minute on the clock, whether you are producing good, or not.
So today, check your devotion-to-doing-good "meter". 
Don't misunderstand the scriptures or me here, I am not speaking of salvation by works; but I speak of honoring God by obeying(doing)  His Word.(what He says). 
Be blessed!

October 27

Just Say "NO"

Titus 2

New International Version (NIV)

Doing Good for the Sake of the Gospel

2 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. ² Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

³ Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. ⁴ Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
⁶ Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. ⁷ In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness ⁸ and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
⁹ Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, ¹⁰ and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. ¹² It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
¹⁵ These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
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Question to ponder: 
Do you live a lifestyle that says NO to anything ungodly and YES to all that is good, upright, and true?

Think about that spiritual gift of self control.
An childrens song from long ago said, 
"Self control, is just controlling yourself.
It's listening to your heart, and doing what is smart." 

Pretty good criteria for establishing yourself in choosing to do the right thing.