Monthly Archives: May 2013

Hebrews 3-5

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The author of Hebrews makes several mentions of confidence in our readings today. “Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.” Again,  “hold our original confidence firm to the end.” We know that God is faithful, His promises will be fulfilled, and we can have confidence in being part of them if we also remain faithful.

Let’s hear God, listen by faith, and be among those who enter into the rest

“Take care, brothers… exhort one another every day, as long as it is called today, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, strengthened by the living and active word of God.  We can have confidence to “draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Hebrews 1-2

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“God has spoken to us by His son…the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature”.  Jesus, the perfect representation of God’s character, made just a little lower than the angels, is not ashamed to call us his brothers.  He is “a merciful and faithful high priest…for because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Paul wrote this letter to encourage believers in their time of trial, and it has the same impact on us today. It describes the incredible love of God in giving His only son, and the amazing self-sacrificing love that Christ has for us.  We are never alone in our struggle against sin, and we know that the power of death has been destroyed through Christ’s sacrifice.

Titus 1-3

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Paul’s letter to Titus is a great example of encouragement and practical advice for us just as much as it was for Titus. He opens by referring to the certainty of our hope, “in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began”.

Similar to the fruit of the spirit, Paul exhorts “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech…live self- controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age”.

Paul reminds us of the mercy of God, shown through His loving kindness. “We ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit”.

Let’s follow Paul’s advice, living Godly lives in this present age, that we might be part of the certain promises God has made.

Joshua 13, Isaiah 17-18, 2 Timothy 3-4

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“To the tribe of Levi Moses gave no inheritance; the Lord God of Israel is their inheritance”.  The Levites are great examples for us. They stood up for Godly principles, and in so doing received an inheritance greater than the physical land. Forced to rely completely on God for their continued existence, their lives were dedicated to God. Although by Isaiah’s time the people were condemned for not remembering “the God of your salvation…the Rock of your refuge”, the Levites were forced to live a life that demonstrated that trust, by virtue of them not receiving part of the promised land as an inheritance.

That sort of trust in God is important for us to develop, especially as Paul says “in the last days there will come times of difficulty”. We all have difficulties in our life, and together we can help each other overcome those difficulties.  Prayer for each other is an important part of that help, and when we’re aware of specific problems that others are having, I think it’s important to follow Paul’s example and pray for God to help them.

Let us, as Timothy, follow Paul’s teaching, conduct, aim in life, faith, patience, love and steadfastness, that we too might be “complete, equipped for every good work” in our discipleship of Christ.

 

1 Timothy 6

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“Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

1 Timothy 4-5

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Paul exhorts his readers to “train yourself for godliness…as it hold promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” This is something we each must do for ourselves. Although we can help each other, ultimately the similarity of our character to God’s character depends on our own thoughts and actions.

Just as Timothy was to be “an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” to the believers, we should do the same.  “We have our hope set on the living God“, a God whose “hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear“.  In this we can find great confidence and reassurance.

Joshua 8, 1 Timothy 1-3

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Paul writes to Timothy, his “true child in the faith”, to guide and encourage him as his faith developed. He reminds Timonthy of the work of Jesus, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”, of whom Paul considered himself to be chief.  Fortunately, “God…desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  We can feel discouraged when sin affects our relationship with God, but we can also have confidence to turn again to God, knowing that He wants to have a relationship with us.

Paul describes this struggle against sin as a warfare, “wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience”, a battle that requires constant effort and long-term endurance. As God said to Joshua, “do not fear and do not be dismayed.”  God is with us as we grow and develop.

“The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” Let us work together to develop this love, knowing that we can have “great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”

 

 

 

Joshua 7, Isaiah 11, 2 Thessalonians 3

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Joshua’s reaction to a difficult situation is a great example to us. He approaches God, leading the elders of Israel in heartfelt prayer until evening, to seek understanding and forgiveness. God responds to that prayer, and the problem is addressed, allowing Israel to continue to conquer the land.

God kept His promise that Israel would inherit the promised land, just as He was faithful to the prophecies about Messiah, the “shoot from the stump of Jesse“.  Isaiah paints a picture of a time we all long for, when Jesus will judge the poor with righteousness  when the breath of Jesus’ lips will kill the wicked, and the earth will be full of the knowledge of God.  Even at that time, God will extend mercy “yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of his people.”  Our God is both just and merciful, “not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance“.

Paul describes God as faithful. “He will establish you and guard you against the evil one…May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ“

 

2 Thessalonians 1-2

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Thessalonians is a book full of encouragement. Paul writes “we pray always for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you.” An amazing idea for prayer, that God will help us reflect His glory. We have been called to a hope greater than we could imagine, and only God through His grace can make us worthy of that calling, but Paul prays for God to strengthen us in our efforts to serve Him.

“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.” This is also my prayer for you all, that together we might be strengthened and comforted in our walk towards the kingdom.

Joshua 1, 1 Thessalonians 1-2

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“Be strong and courageous.” Meditate on God’s word day and night. Don’t be frightened, for God is with you wherever you go.  “I will not leave you or forsake you.” The words of the angel to Joshua are equally applicable to us today.

Much like Israel’s many battles fought to enter the promised land, we have many battles to fight. Just as the Thessalonians, who became imitators of Paul and Jesus in order to fight those battles, so must we.  The Thessalonians were great examples of faith, whose reputation went throughout Macedonia and Achaia.  They “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” We are similarly called to be witnesses of the hope available through Christ.  Let’s do the same as Paul, encouraging and exhorting one another to “walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls  you into his own kingdom and glory.“