Scripture: Hebrews 8: 10 This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
11 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Observation: The author of Hebrews is showing the benefits of living under the new covenant. The law had been written on a tablet of stone, but now it is written on our hearts. Through the indwelling Spirit of God working through our conscience, we have a sense of right and wrong without being threatened by the law. He puts His law in my heart by making my life His dwelling place. He lives inside!

Application: If I truly want to enjoy the benefits of the new covenant, I must be constantly listening to the Holy Spirit. He may choose to speak to me at any time. There is no activity of my day that He cannot speak about to me. He is interested in everything I do.

Prayer: Lord, in all the hubbub of the world that surrounds me, it can be hard to listen. Forgive me for not actively listening to you, and please, Please, PLEASE do not stop talking to me. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

Scripture: Hebrews 5:12. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!
13. Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.
14. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Observation: It is OK to be immature, but it is not OK to stay that way! Maturing is a process we grow through in every area of life: physically, intellectually, spiritually, etc. Physical maturity enables us to eat solid food. Spiritual maturity allows us to distinguish good from evil. Maturity does not make me judgmental, but it does enable me to make good judgments.

When the writer says, “…trained themselves…” he is indicating that spiritual maturity is not something that can be left to another. Each person must take responsibility for their own growth. Even a person interested in physical growth may hire a personal trainer, but it is still his/her responsibility to follow through with the trainer’s direction.

Application: Personal growth in knowing God helps me understand His ways and what pleases or displeases Him. I can then make good judgments that line up with His righteousness. Although I can enlist the aid of others to help in my spiritual growth, it comes down to being my responsibility.

Prayer: Lord, as I thank you for people you sent my way to help me grow in grace and the knowledge of Your Word, I acknowledge my responsibility. I set myself to grow in You! Amen.