Scripture: Hebrews 4: 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.

Observation: An amazing thought came to mind as I read through these verses. Jesus had become human and had to be tempted in every way. He passed every test without sinning.

Many times I have noted that people who pass their tests look down with disdain on people who fail. They seem to think that if they could pass the test, everyone else should be able to do the same. But verse 16 says that when we approach God’s throne, we do not find disdain, but mercy!!! And more than mercy, we find grace!!! Amazing mercy, and amazing grace!!!

Application: The One who has every right to condemn me, instead offers me mercy and grace.

Prayer: Lord, your mercy and grace makes my heart overflow with thanksgiving! Amen.

Scripture: Hebrews 3:12 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.”

Observation: Daily I need to hear the voices of my brothers and sisters encouraging me. And daily I need to hear the voice of my Lord. This helps me keep from having a sinful and unbelieving heart that turns away from God.

Application: I desperately need the Lord to daily help me walk in His steps. But I DESPERATELY NEED MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS ON A DAILY BASIS ALSO! God did not design me to live the Christ life by myself. I have to stop fooling myself that I can make it on my own.

Prayer: Lord, I need you and I need my brothers and sisters too. Help me to be easy to talk to. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

Scripture:  Hebrews 2: ¹⁷ For this reason he had to be made like them, 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.

Observation:    Jesus was God, not human.  Yet in order to be the perfect sacrifice for the sins of man, he had to be “made…fully human in every way.”  He is the perfect helper for man, because as a man he was tempted in every way as we are tempted.

Application:   The more I meditate on what Jesus did for me, the more I am amazed at His love for me and His grace to me.  How unworthy am I of such love!  How can I withhold anything from Him Who withheld nothing for me?

Prayer:   Lord, today is for You and Your glory!   Amen.

Scripture:  Hebrews 1: ¹ In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
² but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
³ The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Observation:   One of he very first things revealed about God in the first chapter of the Bible is hat He speaks.  God is a speaker.  He talks. He has spoken to us in many ways, but the best was His speaking through His Son Jesus.  In chapter 1 of John, Jesus is revealed as the Word that became flesh.  Jesus is God’s finest and clearest message.

Application:   My  desire to know God can be seen in how committed I am to know Jesus.  To the best of my ability, I must become a  “Jesus expert.”  Jesus said, “If you have  seen me, you have seen the Father.”  Jesus claimed to only speak the words the Father gave him to say.  The works he did were the Father’s works.  Jesus is the “exact representation” of the Father.

Prayer:   Lord,  may I come to better know the Father as I come to know you; and may others better come to know you as they come to know me.    Amen.

Scripture:  Philemon ¹⁰ that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, 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.

Observation:  Onesimus was a run-away servant Paul met in Rome.  When I read this short book, a short poem comes to mind:  Fuzzy-wuzzy was a bear.  Fuzzy-wuzzy had no hair.  Fuzzy-wuzzy wasn’t very fuzzy wuz he?  Onesimus was a great name for a servant because it means “useful.”  But Onesimus had run away and now was not useful to Philemon.  Useful wuzzn’t very useful wuzz he.

Application:   It is a lesson God has emphasized to me so many times.  A faithful servant is a useful servant.  If I am not useful, I am not faithful.  And as long as I am obedient, I am useful.  And as long as I can pray, I can be useful.

Prayer:   Lord, “To be used of you, to sing, to speak to pray.  To be used of you to show someone the way.  I long so much to feel the touch of your consuming fire.  To be used of you is my desire.” (Audrey Meier)   Amen.

Scripture:  Jude ²⁴ To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— ²⁵ to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all  ges, now and forevermore! Amen.

Observation:   Jude had planned to write about something else, but in looking at the world around him, felt obligated to write his letter as a warning to his readers.   In the first 19 verses he describes the wickedness in the world that was creeping into the church.  In verses 20 through 23 he notes their responsibility and gives specific  instructions to keep them from evil.  He closes his short letter with the verses above.  As we do our part to  pray, remain in His love, and treat others as instructed, we can be assured that God will do His part to keep us and present us in heaven with great joy!

Application:   What a day that potentially will be, to be presented before the throne of God with great joy, not only great joy on my part as the “presented”, but also great joy
on the part of the Presenter!

Prayer:   Lord, may your heart and my heart both be filled with great joy when I stand before You.   Amen.