Daily Word

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalms 1:1-2. A stronger word than “happy” (blessed); to be “blessed” is to enjoy God’s special favor and grace. The righteous man is described by what he avoids (walks not…nor stands…nor sits). There is a downward progression in the verbs “walks”, “stands”, “sits.” The righteous man is described as someone who loves (his delight) the law of God. “Law” can refer to a specific command, but also to the whole scripture. The righteous person grows by an obedient response to the scriptures, which expresses the will of God…. STOP… Right now, take a long, hard, and deep look at yourself. Whose counsel are you following? Is your life as blessed as it could be or do you find yourself in an area of downward progression? If you find this to be true of you today…Repent, and return to the law of the Lord…as the righteous person loves and studies it.

Daily Word

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is king of peace. Hebrews 7:1-2. The central point of this chapter is that the solemn promise of Ps. 110:4 was fulfilled only in Jesus Christ. Jesus’ eternal priesthood is explained in terms of the two OT texts that mention Melchizedek (Gen 14:17-20, Psalm 110:4). The introduction of Melchizedek emphasizes that he was a king as well as a priest. As such he is a type of Christ, who is our prophet, priest, and king. “Salem” was apparently an ancient name for Jerusalem. How does Jesus as prophet, priest, and king play out in your walk with Christ?

Daily Word

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtains, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:19-20. Our life’s anchor is secured (the inner place behind the curtain) in the innermost section of the heavenly tabernacle, the original from which earthly sanctuary was modeled. Entrance to the inner sanctuary (has gone as a forerunner) is not possible without Jesus. He went in first, so that his people could follow. As Christians our hope is in the person and saving works of Jesus. Our hope provides security and stability for the soul. Be assured today that Because He has gone on before us that He has made the way for each of us to draw near into that place of the holy of holies. When was the last time you slowed down long enough to enter?

Daily Word

For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for conformation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled from refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. Hebrews 6:16-18. God’s oath bound promise was not only for Abraham but for all who follow in his footsteps. God’s unchanging, purpose was to bless the world through the seed of Abraham; the meaning of this was revealed in the gospel. The unchanging promise God conveyed to Abraham and the oath that confirmed it raising it above all uncertainty or distrust. The oath confirms that the promise was indeed the purpose of God. Hang on to this passage for future reference the next time you find yourself doubting the promises of God!

Weekend Quote (Sun)

Christianity is neither contemplation nor action. It is participation. Contemplation is looking at God as if He were an object. But if you participate in God in the sense that you let yourself be penetrated by Him, you will go to the cross like Him, you will go to work like Him, you will clean shoes, do the washing up and the cooking, all like Him. You cannot do otherwise because you will have become part of Him. You will do what He loves to do. ~ Louis Evely

Weekend Quote (Sat)

Fellowship with God leads straight to obedience and good works. That is the divine order and it can never be reversed. ~ A.W. Tozer.

Daily Word

For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you” And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. Hebrews 6:13-15. Faith can endure patiently because God’s oath secures His promise to us, as it did to Abraham. Our confidence rests in the eternal high priesthood of Jesus after the order of Melchizedek, a priesthood secured by divine promise and oath. That God whose “word is truth,” should reinforce the surety of that infallible promise through an oath underscores the permanence and seriousness of the divine promise. While sinful and fallible human beings “swear by something greater” than themselves, God, the highest authority, “swore by himself.” The divine promise and oath was God’s response to Abraham’s attempted sacrifice of Isaac, the child of divine promise, in obedience to divine direction. In the birth and then the rescue of Isaac, Abraham did receive the promised blessing of offspring. Nevertheless, he did not see the complete fulfillment of those covenantal promises. The word is full of God’s promises for you. Those promises are fulfilled in His time and not ours. Our requirement is to demonstrate faith that endures patiently. What promise have you given up on lately?

Daily Word

Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things- things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:9-12. By bearing firstfruits of a useful crop, the readers give reason for confidence that they will prove to be the land that receives God’s blessing of salvation. Still, they must shake off their present sluggishness to receive the inheritance promised to patient believers. The severity of the previous warning should not lead to despair. Because the goal of faith is in the future (hope), the faithful must “hold on until the end.” Abraham is the preeminent example (through faith and patience inherit the promises); but biblical history is full of witnesses who have run the course of patient faith ahead of us, and have now received the promised inheritance through Christ’s perfecting work. When was the last time you felt “sluggish” in your faith, and how do you walk through faith and patients in your relationship with Christ?

Daily Word

For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned. Hebrews 6:7-8. According to the Prophetic imagery of the OT, the ground is God’s people, and the rain falling on it is the word or the Spirit of God. The unproductive field is destroyed. Today, many claim to be a Christian. You cannot simply believe that there is a “God”, or a “higher power.” Because you attend church once a week, have a Christian radio station set on your car radio to listen to once in a while, and where a cross around your neck because it looks good. Doesn’t qualify among those things that God receives as honoring Him. Confession, submission, and obedience are the first steps…And they produce in you a cultivated life that produces a crop useful in His service and honorable in His sight!

Daily Word

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age too come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since, they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. Hebrews 6:4-6. (Once been enlightened) That is, had the knowledge of God disclosed in the gospel message and publicly confessed baptism. In early Christian writings, conversion and baptism were sometimes termed “enlightenment.” The Greek word for “once” is prominent in Hebrews. It is used in connection with the once-for-all sacrifice in Christ. Some see here (tasted the Holy gift) a reference to participation in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Or the phrase could be paired with “enlightenment” as a broad description of apparent conversion. They had some experience (shared in the Holy Spirit) with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but it is not necessary to conclude that regeneration is specifically intended. Most obviously, (signs to come) the signs and wonders that accompanied the introduction of the gospel. You cannot turn your back on something you never had in the first place. One either fully submits to Christ or does not there is no partial commitment.

Daily Word

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washing's, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. Hebrews 6 1-3. These (elementary doctrines) ABC’s of Christian doctrine, which are now briefly enumerated. All these doctrines can be found in the Book of Acts. The plural is unexpected (washing's/baptisms); there is only one Christian baptism. Yet even today when Christian baptism is discussed, other baptisms, at least John the Baptist’s, must be mentioned. This was certainly true in NT times. Another possibility is that the word refers specifically to OT ceremonial washings as part of the essential background for Christ’s work. The action (laying on of hands) accompanied blessing, healing the sick, ordination of church officers, and especially the gift of the spirit, which was associated with baptism. Alternatively, as is possible with “ washing's,” the writer may be referring to the OT foundation of Christ’s work. The conventional phrase (God permits) acknowledges the need for God’s help in learning and teaching Christian doctrine. Its use suggests that the material to follow is difficult, as indeed it is. Although verse three (last verse) is only eight words long. Foe me, it bears the weight of this entire passage. “And this we will do if God permits,” So many times we try to do things in our own power, and accomplish things according to our own agenda failing to rely on God. We accomplish that which God alone permits, and often time take way to much credit for ourselves rather than giving it the one who permitted our victories in the first place. Maturity is being able to recognize from where our accomplishments come. Take time today to thank, and give God His due glory for all that He has permitted you to accomplish this far in your life!

Weekend Quote (Sat)

True faith is never found alone; it is always accompanied by expectation. The man who believes the promises of God expects to see them fulfilled. Where there is no expectation there is no faith. ~ A.W. Tozer

Daily Word

About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull in hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:11-14. The Greek word “dull” reappears, suggesting that the danger of spiritual laziness is in view throughout this section. Such truths (basic principles of the oracles of God) are listed in the next chapter. Although milk is nourishing for infants, the author desires that his readers become mature Christians, for whom solid food is appropriate. The maturity to grasp Christ’s priestly ministry is not intellectual sophistication, but spiritual discernment arising from consistent obedience to God’s will. It does not matter how long you've been a Christian, how much scripture you can memorize, how often you attend church, or all the ministries you serve in. Failing to walk in obedience, or applying the truths of His Word In your life on a consistent basis simply demonstrates your lack of maturity. Are you as mature a Christian outside the church as you appear to be inside?

Daily Word

Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 5:8-10. Though entirely free from sin, Jesus’ struggle against temptation was real. As One who came into the world to do the Father’s will, Christ successfully met each increasingly difficult challenge to His integrity, climaxing in the shameful and painful death on the cross. This life of learned obedience offsets the disobedience of Adam and qualifies Christ to serve as the eternal high priest. This does not mean (being made perfect) that Jesus finally became sinless, He was always without sin, but that He finished the course of suffering that was before Him, including the sacrificial death. Having done this, He was “made perfect,” or completely qualified to serve as the uniquely effective high priest. The language here may allude to the concept of priestly consecration. Jesus lives forever (eternal salvation) to intercede as our high priest. Notice that He “learned” obedience through all that He suffered. How much different would your walk with Christ be today if you applied the same the mindset in that which you suffer no matter how big or small the suffering is that comes into your life?

Daily Word

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Hebrews 5:7. Jesus’ anguish at the prospect of the cross (loud cries and tears) shows that He is not aloof from the weakness and fears that threaten us. The Psalmists praised God that He heard their cries of distress. Jesus’ plea for salvation from death was answered not through escape from the ordeal of the cross, but through His Resurrection from death. This passage clearly points out that (prayers) Jesus prayed with intensity continuously and often. What brings you to the place of such intensity in your prayer, and what makes that situation any greater than your typical prayer that lacks intensity?

Daily Word

So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 5:5-6. Psalms 2:7 is quoted twice in Hebrews, both times in a leading position. Here it is the opening step of a long and detailed discussion of Melchizedek. This mysterious figure (Melchizedek) is mentioned only twice in the OT. But the association here of the title “priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek” with the words “my Son” shows the exalted character of this priesthood, and justifies the author’s fuller explanation as we will see in chapter 7. Make no mistake about it...Christ was appointed. Sometimes it’s hard to understand or swallow the fact that we to are appointed into position whether it be on our job, at our church etc…It’s always in God’s timing and not our own.

Daily Word

He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset in weakness. Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. Hebrews 5 2-4. The weakness of the OT high priest in the face of his own temptations compelled him to moderate his indignation over others’ sins and “deal gently” with them. Jesus’ sympathy also is strongly motivated, since he fully identifies with the struggles of His people. Yet Jesus never succumbed to sin. The law distinguished between sins committed out of weakness or ignorance, and sins committed in defiance against the Lords authority. The OT high priest was himself in need of atonement and forgiveness, unlike our sinless high priest. The initial call of Aaron was confirmed in response to the challenge of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram through the budding of Aaron’s staff. The priestly privilege of approach to God is by invitation only- mediated through physical descent for the Old Testament Levitical priests, but finally established through the divine oath to Jesus the Son. Today, recognize the privilege you have to approach God at any time, and every moment. Be reminded of the great sacrifice that was made on your behalf to do so.

Weekend Quote (Sun)

If the living voice of God were not speaking in the world and in the hearts of men, the written Word could have no real meaning for us. God is speaking in His world, we are able to hear Him speak in His Word. ~ A.W. Tozer

Weekend Quote (Sat)

Better in bitterest agony to lie before thy throne, than through much increase to be lifted up on high, and stand alone. Yet best- the need that broke me at thy feet, is voiceless prayer, and cast my chastened heart, a sacrifice complete. ~ John Oxenham

Daily Word

For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. Hebrews 5:1. The Phrase (offer gifts and sacrifices for sins) “gifts and sacrifices” covers offerings of several different kinds called for in the work of the Old Testament priests. But the main interest here is in those offered for sins. Although we no longer offer up animal sacrifices for our sins. God still requires something from us. It’s called REPENTANCE. Often times it would appear much easier for some to kill an animal and offer it to Gad than to put to death one’s flesh and repent before God. Repentance should be a daily occurrence in each of our lives. How does repentance play out in your relationship with Christ?