July 07, 2021: SOAP #4234:  Hosea 10-12; Psalm 73; Hebrews 4

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 4:1 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 gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. 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.’” And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world.

OBSERVATION:  The rest that the Israelites missed was the truth that we are not granted entrance to the kingdom of God, nor heaven, based on our works.  We “rest” from our words and depend totally on His work (on the cross.) 

I must stop depending on my own works to make me good enough for heaven.  I must depend wholly on Jesus’ death on the cross for my sins.  It must be mixed with faith.  It is by faith that I receive His work as mine.  Until I believe it was for me and the benefit is mine, it has no power to prepare me for heaven and to change my life.

APPLICATION:  God responds to faith.  He wants to be believed.  It blesses Him when He sees me talking and acting as though what He has said is true!  My faith springs from God.   I believe He loves me.  I believe His word is true.  I believe He keeps His promises.  My faith is based on His Word. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for being so believable.  The more I know you, the easier it is to believe you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!