Devotional Verses From The Book Of Hebrews About Jesus
Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Hebrews 9:25, 26
Awesome! Awesome is an over used word in this 21st century, except when it is used of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Devotional Verses From Hebrews
Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the Kings, and blessed him;
Hebrews 6:20; 7:1
The author of Hebrews, in the midst of his discussion of the superiority of the new covenant to the old covenant, brings up the name of Melchisedec as he introduces the high priestly ministry of Jesus. It struck me that as, in a sense, this name comes into the discussion "out of right field" so to speak, it is clear that the writer of Hebrews expected the Christians he was communicating with to be conversant with the holy scriptures. He expected they would know the Biblical account of the historic story of Abraham (then known as Abram) saving Lot from the four kings who had captured him, and then meeting this mysterious priest of God named Melchisedec. They would know that Abraham was blessed by Melchisedec and "gave him tithes of all" (Genesis 14:19,20). Since they knew this history from the scriptures they could then put it together with the truth being expressed in Hebrews to grow in their knowledge of Jesus Christ. The lesson I would draw from that is simple, and is the same message that is often heard from Bible preaching pastors the world over, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ and want to grow in understanding you must make the Bible a priority in your life.
Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the Kings, and blessed him;
Hebrews 6:20; 7:1
The author of Hebrews, in the midst of his discussion of the superiority of the new covenant to the old covenant, brings up the name of Melchisedec as he introduces the high priestly ministry of Jesus. It struck me that as, in a sense, this name comes into the discussion "out of right field" so to speak, it is clear that the writer of Hebrews expected the Christians he was communicating with to be conversant with the holy scriptures. He expected they would know the Biblical account of the historic story of Abraham (then known as Abram) saving Lot from the four kings who had captured him, and then meeting this mysterious priest of God named Melchisedec. They would know that Abraham was blessed by Melchisedec and "gave him tithes of all" (Genesis 14:19,20). Since they knew this history from the scriptures they could then put it together with the truth being expressed in Hebrews to grow in their knowledge of Jesus Christ. The lesson I would draw from that is simple, and is the same message that is often heard from Bible preaching pastors the world over, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ and want to grow in understanding you must make the Bible a priority in your life.
Friday, May 16, 2014
A Devotional Verse From Paul's Second Letter to Timothy
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2 Timothy 3:5
How do you know when the godliness of people who claim godliness, Christian or otherwise, is real? Well, you look for telltale signs. The Bible makes clear that godliness has power to change people. Once an individual has entered into true godliness (whatever that is) some behaviors will naturally (or supernaturally) disappear from their lives: loving themselves above all others; boasting of their own greatness; breaking faith when they have made a truce or agreement; exploding their rage fiercely like ancient warriors consumed with blood lust butchering men because they were of another village, and enslaving and executing even women and children (Compare Paul's list in 2 Timothy 3:1-4). Any watchers of today's television news understand that such atrocities happen even now, and are committed by those who in some way consider themselves godly. They justify outrageous sinful behavior on the basis of their religion.
True godliness on the other hand does not justify sinful behavior, it says wrong is wrong. True godliness causes people to do right. It produces kindness, cooperation, peace, freedom of religion, life not death. Godliness of this sort is not a form but a reality.
True godliness which is peaceable, loving, and life-affirming comes only through receiving Jesus into your heart as Savior and Lord.
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2 Timothy 3:5
How do you know when the godliness of people who claim godliness, Christian or otherwise, is real? Well, you look for telltale signs. The Bible makes clear that godliness has power to change people. Once an individual has entered into true godliness (whatever that is) some behaviors will naturally (or supernaturally) disappear from their lives: loving themselves above all others; boasting of their own greatness; breaking faith when they have made a truce or agreement; exploding their rage fiercely like ancient warriors consumed with blood lust butchering men because they were of another village, and enslaving and executing even women and children (Compare Paul's list in 2 Timothy 3:1-4). Any watchers of today's television news understand that such atrocities happen even now, and are committed by those who in some way consider themselves godly. They justify outrageous sinful behavior on the basis of their religion.
True godliness on the other hand does not justify sinful behavior, it says wrong is wrong. True godliness causes people to do right. It produces kindness, cooperation, peace, freedom of religion, life not death. Godliness of this sort is not a form but a reality.
True godliness which is peaceable, loving, and life-affirming comes only through receiving Jesus into your heart as Savior and Lord.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
A Devotional Verse From Paul's Second Letter To Timothy
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
2 Timothy 1:9
If you, like me, are a believing Christian then our experiences are the same: God did the saving; He gave us salvation; and He gave each of us a holy calling, that of representing and declaring Him to our world. Some are pastors, teachers, missionaries, church officers, helpers, etc., and all are witnesses. It is a high and holy calling no matter whether it is done in the pulpit, the Sunday school rooms, in a foreign nation, as a garbage man, or an insurance salesperson. Our calling as believing Christians is the same, our place of service is different according to God's purpose. God has this network of people throughout the world telling the story of Jesus, and all of them of whatever nation or race, language or denomination, have the same holy calling of sharing in making His grace, given to us in Jesus Christ, known to the world.
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
2 Timothy 1:9
If you, like me, are a believing Christian then our experiences are the same: God did the saving; He gave us salvation; and He gave each of us a holy calling, that of representing and declaring Him to our world. Some are pastors, teachers, missionaries, church officers, helpers, etc., and all are witnesses. It is a high and holy calling no matter whether it is done in the pulpit, the Sunday school rooms, in a foreign nation, as a garbage man, or an insurance salesperson. Our calling as believing Christians is the same, our place of service is different according to God's purpose. God has this network of people throughout the world telling the story of Jesus, and all of them of whatever nation or race, language or denomination, have the same holy calling of sharing in making His grace, given to us in Jesus Christ, known to the world.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Devotional Verses From Paul’s Letter To The Philippian
Christians
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a
name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should
bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And
that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God
the Father.
Philippians 2:9-11
God has already put Jesus’ name
above all names. He did it because Jesus laid aside his prerogatives as God,
took upon Him the form of a servant becoming a human being, and dying on the
cross for our sins. So God highly exalted him, and I think those who do not love and
believe in Jesus as Savior and King know in their hearts, in spite of their disbelief,
that His name is above every name, that is why they continue to rage. Earnest
believing Christians know we have no need to engage in strife to put the name
of Jesus above all others God has already done that. We do not have to make
efforts to see that every knee bows to Jesus, God has promised, or, if you
will, prophesied, that this will happen. God will cause it to happen. One
eternal day according to the apostle John, writing under the inspiration of the
Holy Spirit of God, “… Every creature
which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in
the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and
glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb
for ever and ever” (Rev. 5:13).
We Christians need to powerfully,
lovingly and openly, preach Christ: we
need to exalt Him in our worship, we need to exalt Him in our preaching, we
need to exalt Him in our daily living and service; we need to exalt Him as we
express our politics. We need to stand for His truth and for righteousness. We
need to love the brotherhood, love our enemies, love all those He loves which
is everyone (I once saw a bumper sticker that said rightly, “God loves everyone.
No exceptions.”), and when we do Jesus will change many individual hearts so
that they bow to Him, and, as for the promise that every knee shall bow, And that every tongue should confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:11), that
will happen in God’s time. The Father will bring it to pass.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Thursday, May 1, 2014
A Verse For America's National Day Of Prayer
As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.
Daniel 9:13
Daniel says that his people did not pray to turn from their iniquities; sins, as the New International Version calls them. We've got sins in America causing evil today, yet many in America don't pray to God and turn from their iniquities and understand the truth. Thank God for the people across this nation who are holding this country up in their prayers, and God may You bring change to the hearts of all of us who need to repent of our sins, in Jesus' name, Amen.
As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.
Daniel 9:13
Daniel says that his people did not pray to turn from their iniquities; sins, as the New International Version calls them. We've got sins in America causing evil today, yet many in America don't pray to God and turn from their iniquities and understand the truth. Thank God for the people across this nation who are holding this country up in their prayers, and God may You bring change to the hearts of all of us who need to repent of our sins, in Jesus' name, Amen.
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