Tag: Jesus Christ

Wednesday Morning: 12 Jun 2019 – Hebrews 7:1-10 ~ Jesus has the power to bless us.

Wednesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for Grace – Wednesday)

O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Hebrews 7:1-10 (NLT)

Melchizedek Is Greater Than Abraham

This Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. When Abraham was returning home after winning a great battle against the kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him. Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had captured in battle and gave it to Melchizedek. The name Melchizedek means “king of justice,” and king of Salem means “king of peace.” There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors—no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God.

Consider then how great this Melchizedek was. Even Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, recognized this by giving him a tenth of what he had taken in battle. Now the law of Moses required that the priests, who are descendants of Levi, must collect a tithe from the rest of the people of Israel, who are also descendants of Abraham. But Melchizedek, who was not a descendant of Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham. And Melchizedek placed a blessing upon Abraham, the one who had already received the promises of God. And without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing is greater than the one who is blessed.

The priests who collect tithes are men who die, so Melchizedek is greater than they are, because we are told that he lives on. In addition, we might even say that these Levites—the ones who collect the tithe—paid a tithe to Melchizedek when their ancestor Abraham paid a tithe to him. For although Levi wasn’t born yet, the seed from which he came was in Abraham’s body when Melchizedek collected the tithe from him.
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Morning Reflection:

Jesus has the power to bless us.

Without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing
is greater than the one who is blessed.
– Hebrews 7:7

Today’s reading continues to make the case for the superiority of Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest – superior to Abraham, superior to the Levitical priests, and superior even to the priesthood of Melchizedek ( vs 1-10). Why is Melchizedek important? Because Melchizedek was a prototype of Christ – both priest and king, characterized by righteousness and peace. And Melchizedek was superior to Abraham whom he blessed, and from whom he received tithes.

The point being made in vs 7 is that Melchizedek was greater than Abraham (the father of all nations) because the greater one blesses the lesser one. And by extension of that reasoning, Jesus Christ is greater than Melchizedek and, therefore, has the power to bless us.

The greatness of Jesus as our High Priest will be developed in later readings, but let’s stop and consider the blessings we receive from Jesus now –

+ a new covenant – which offers us the blessing of a rich, satisfying life now and forever.
+ a new refuge –  which offers us the blessing of sanctuary in the presence of God now and forever.
+ a new sacrifice – which offers us the blessing of sins forgiven once and for all, and peace with God.
+ a new mediator – which offers us the blessing of an ongoing intercessor and advocate before God.
+ a new spirit – which offers us the blessing of the indwelling Holy Spirit, his guidance and power.
+ a new heart – which offers us the blessing of loving as God loves, with the heart of Jesus.

In the midst of all the pressures we face in life, we have a High Priest who blesses us – our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Questions for consideration:

  • When you think of priests and the priesthood, what comes to mind? Please explain.
  • How do you understand the priesthood of all believers? What does that mean to you? Please explain.
  • What makes the priesthood of Jesus superior to all others? Please explain.
  • Where specifically do you need Jesus to bless you right now? Have you asked him? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: 

Life Support Prayer:

Our Father: Thank you for our earthly fathers – may they be indwelt by Christ Jesus, rooted and grounded in his love, and strengthened with his strength. Raise up believing fathers everywhere to take responsibility for the spiritual welfare of their children – may they protect them from the wiles and deceit of the evil one, may they teach them that your ways lead to a full, satisfying life, and may their children never know a day apart from you. I ask this in Jesus’ name, and for the good of believing families everywhere. Amen.

Prayer of Praise and For The Lord’s Blessings – By Natadia Lezama

Heavenly Father, we come to You this morning to give You all the praise and honor that is due You alone. Thank You Lord, for Your goodness towards us all.

Father, let Your presence be felt in our lives today. We give You all our cares and burdens and we trust that You will take care of us.

Help us, Lord, to keep our minds and hearts focused on You today, so we will be able to receive Your peace that surpasses all understanding.

Today, we choose joy despite what may be going on in our lives. Lord, strengthen us in Your power and might so that we may be a blessing to others who are hurting.

I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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“I Need Thee Every Hour” – the Mennonite Hour Singers

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Tuesday Morning: 11 Jun 2019 – Hebrews 6:1-20 ~ Jesus secures the anchor for our souls.

Tuesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening (A Collect for Peace – Tuesday)

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Hebrews 6:1-20 (NLT)

So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.

For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come — and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.

When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing. But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it.

Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don’t believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.

God’s Promises Bring Hope

For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying:

“I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.”

Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.

Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.
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Morning Reflection:

Jesus secures the anchor for our souls.

This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.
– Hebrews 6:19

In today’s reading we are assured that God is trustworthy (God cannot lie), and that he has given us both his promise and his oath – therefore, we can confidently hold on to the hope God has given us – secure in Jesus’ priestly ministry – which then is the strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.

When Jesus entered heaven at his ascension, he took our hope of future reward with him. Now, seated at the right hand of God, we have a secure anchor for our souls in the very presence of God. It’s our hope in Christ that keeps us from drifting away from God. Jesus secures the anchor for our souls – the hope that is the steadying force of our entire lives.

Questions for consideration:

  • When you think of God as a Promise-Keeper, what comes to mind? Please explain.
  • When you think of something that seems hopeless, what comes to mind? Please explain.
  • How is your hope in Jesus Christ a refuge for you in a time of trouble? Please explain.
  • What can you do to draw closer to Jesus – the steadying force of your life? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Life-Support Prayer:

Heavenly Father: I pray for all couples who desperately want to have a child but have not conceived – that they will trust you to build their family in your way and on your schedule, and that they make decisions that honor you who creates and sustains life. And I pray that they may have the love and support of their worshiping communities as they wait on you. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayer for Hope and Strength:

Heavenly Father: Your hope arises with each dawn, pushing back the rubble of our lives. Each new day reminds us of your grace; you paint hope across the skies. Into the deafening cry of hopelessness you whisper love. Love that catches us, holds us. There is no end, just new beginnings. No finish, just new starts.

Lord Jesus: Into your resurrection we follow you to bathe in hope. You are alive! Not only in the world but in us. And so we carry your hope within our souls. Help us to lift our eyes, and feel your resurrection hope arise in our lives.

We ask this in Jesus’ name, in the power of the Holy Spirit, all to your glory Heavenly Father. Amen

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“In Christ Alone” – Adrienne Liesching and Geoff Moore

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Monday Morning: 10 Jun 2019 – Hebrews 5:1-14 ~ Jesus is the source of eternal salvation

Monday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for the Renewal of Life – Monday)

O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Hebrews 5:1-14 (NLT)

Every high priest is a man chosen to represent other people in their dealings with God. He presents their gifts to God and offers sacrifices for their sins. And he is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to the same weaknesses. That is why he must offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as theirs.

And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He must be called by God for this work, just as Aaron was. That is why Christ did not honor himself by assuming he could become High Priest. No, he was chosen by God, who said to him,

“You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.”

And in another passage God said to him,

“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. And God designated him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.

A Call to Spiritual Growth

There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
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Morning Reflection:

Jesus who learned to obey brought salvation to those who obey.

Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.
In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest,
and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him.
– Hebrews 5:8-9

It’s easy to do things God’s way when things are going our way. But when things are not going our way, it’s a lot tougher – and that’s when we learn obedience, or not.

Our reading today addresses Jesus’ obedience in the face of his unimaginable suffering as both the perfect High Priest and the perfect Sacrifice for the sins of the world – our sins past, present and future. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he gained experiential knowledge of what being a human involves. He learned obedience in the sense that He learned to obey His Father’s will as a human.

+ As God’s Perfect Sacrifice: Jesus leads the way through our human suffering.
+ As God’s Perfect High Priest: Jesus provides what we need to live in obedience to him.

Questions for consideration:

  • Pause for a moment to reflect on where you believe God is calling you to become more obedient? Please explain.
  • Since Jesus continually intercedes for you before the throne of grace, where do you need mercy and help to follow through on God’s call to greater obedience?
  • How can you build a rhythm of prayer and obedience into your life? How can you become more mature in Christ – be strengthened in faith and trust? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Life Support Prayer:

Praise to you, Lord God, for the power you have demonstrated in raising your Son, Jesus Christ, from death; we bow before him in submission to his Lordship over the Church. We pray especially for pro-life leaders who will be speaking to their respective church assemblies around the world. Fill them with your Spirit and give them the words to speak – kindly and powerfully – that church assemblies all around the world might choose life and receive your blessing, all to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Prayer for Submission to God’s Will – Joseph Mercier

O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore you. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me. Tell me what I should do; give me your orders. I promise to submit myself to all that you desire of me and to accept all that you permit to happen to me. Let me only know your will. Amen.

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“I Surrender” – Hillsong

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Pentecost Sunday, 09 Jun 2019: Acts 1:1-5; Acts 2:1-11 ~ Filled with the Holy Spirit!

Pentecost Sunday

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening Prayer:

Send down, O God, upon your people the flame of your Holy Spirit: Bestow on us his gifts, and fill us over and over again with his power – that your life-giving Spirit may lend fire to our words and strength to our witness. Send us forth to the nations of the world to proclaim with boldness “Christ has died! Christ is risen! Christ will come again!” We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“O for a Thousand Tongues” – St Michael’s Singers

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A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles: Acts 1:1-5 (NLT)

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles: Acts 2:1-11 (NLT)

The Holy Spirit Comes

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.

They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!”
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Intercession:

Gracious God: Pour out your Spirit on us, that we might approach your throne of grace with confidence through your Son, Jesus Christ. We pray especially –

+ that your Spirit will breathe new life into every church leader around the world…..
+ that your Spirit will enable every believer to grow in grace, peace, and love….
+ that your Spirit will fill and strengthen believers who are persecuted for their faith….
+ that your Spirit will bring healing to all who suffer spiritually, physically, and mentally….
+ that your Spirit will guide and inspire young believers in planning for their future….
+ that your Spirit will refresh and renew all who labor in the name of Jesus….

Gracious God: Send forth your Spirit and renew the earth, and give us the words and boldness to proclaim your mighty works to the whole world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Come Holy Spirit” – Annabel Soh, City Harvest Church, Singapore

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Closing: – Romans 8:15-16

You received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday Morning, 08 Jun 2019 – Hebrews 4:1-18 ~ Jesus is our High Priest.

Saturday Morning

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:  (A Collect for Sabbath Rest – Saturday)

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and set aside a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared to meet you in worship, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Reading from the Book of Hebrews: Hebrews 4:10-18 (NLT)

Promised Rest for God’s People

God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God. For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said,

“In my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest,’”

even though this rest has been ready since he made the world. We know it is ready because of the place in the Scriptures where it mentions the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work.” But in the other passage God said, “They will never enter my place of rest.”

So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted:

“Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.”

Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest, God would not have spoken about another day of rest still to come. So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

Christ Is Our High Priest

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
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Morning Reflection:

Come to Jesus and Enter God’s Rest

God’s promise of entering his rest still stands,
so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it.
– Hebrews 4:1

What is the “rest” promised in today’s reading? Here are five different ways of looking at it –

  1. Heaven – by God’s grace, through faith in Jesus Christ; and with faith comes faithfulness and obedience.
  2. Present rest in the enjoyment of our riches in Christ – by surrendering our lives to Him and enjoying peace with God now.
  3. Future enjoyment of our full inheritance in Christ – everything that God desires to bestow on us when we see Him face to face.
  4. Some particular blessing in the end times – rewards, or crowns, associated with Jesus’ return and the final judgement.
  5. A peaceful life now as Christians – through faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to his word, even in the face of persecution.

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.
– Hebrews 4:16

In one way or another, God’s promised rest is predicated on the grace of his covenantal faithfulness, and our faith in his Son, Jesus Christ – who is our Great High Priest. It’s through Jesus Christ that we can receive God’s mercy and help when we need it most. And it’s through Jesus Christ that we can enter into God’s rest, however we may view it.

Questions for consideration:

  • As you review the ways of viewing God’s promised rest, which of these are most appealing to you, given your present circumstances? Please explain.
  • How then should you pray, given your understanding of God’s rest? Please explain.
  • Have you entered into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ? Yes/No/Don’t Know? Click here for more information.
  • Faith in Jesus Christ involves trusting and obeying him. How is God applying this to your life today? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Life Support Prayer:

Heavenly Father: I pray for advocates for life in every congregation to trust in Jesus, and to pour out unreserved love to followers of Jesus at every stage of life. And, I pray for Pro-Life leaders around the world to lead with intelligence, to know Jesus personally, to have clear focus, to follow Christ closely, to trust him fully, and to serve Christ and his church with “endless energy and boundless strength.” In Jesus’ name and for your glory, I pray. Amen.

My Prayer: For Quiet Confidence

O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, into your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Before the Throne of God Above – Selah

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen