Category Archives: Encouragement

Declared innocent!

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Scripture: Hebrews 9: 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.

Observation: Jesus does not appear in God’s presence as the prosecutor bringing evidence against me, but as the defense attorney. He appears for me. I am declared innocent, not on the basis of a lack of evidence, but on the basis that the penalty has already been paid in full.

Application: That I am guilty is not the question. My adversary, the devil does not have to look far to find evidence against me. But there is One now appearing on my behalf who still bears the scars in His hands. I would have been found guilty, but I am declared innocent!

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for not telling you every day how much I appreciate what you have done for me! May my words and deeds clearly show my appreciation to you and to everyone around me. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

The kind of God I need!

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Scripture: Micah 7: 18 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

Hebrews 7: 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

Observation: Micah says that God does not stay angry forever, but even DELIGHTS to show mercy! That is the kind of God I need! Years later the writer to the Hebrews speaks of Jesus as a high priest who “truly meets our needs.”

Application: If I am going to have any meaningful relationship with God, He will have to meet my need for mercy. I need Him to be forgiving. I then need His strength to provide for my weakness. I need His standard of holiness and the strength of His presence to protect me from my bent to sin.

Prayer: Lord, you are the kind of God I need. I need your provision for my past, your presence for my now, and your promise for my future. Amen.

Leon Hiebert
Making friends for time and eternity!

He has already been there!

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Scripture: Hebrews 6:19 (NIV) We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Observation: The King James Version of the Bible uses the word “forerunner” to describe Jesus in verse 20. Here it is used in reference to Jesus priestly entrance into heaven with the blood of His sacrifice on the cross. But there are many times in the scripture we see Jesus being a “forerunner.”

Application: Jesus has taken the part of a “forerunner” for me on many occasions. I cannot remember Him ever sending me to a place where when I arrived I did not find that He was already there. He sends me. He accompanies me as I go. And He is waiting there when I arrive.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for going before me. You know what is ahead for me because you have already been where I am going! Amen.