Wednesday Morning: 19 Jun 2019 – Hebrews 10:19-39 ~ Persevere in Confident Faith

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 10:19-39 (NLT)

A Call to Persevere

And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us. For we know the one who said,

“I will take revenge. I will pay them back.”

He also said,

“The Lord will judge his own people.”

It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.

So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

“For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”

But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.
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Morning Reflection:

Persevere in Confident Faith

And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place
because of the blood of Jesus. – Hebrews 10:19

As believers we now have an open invitation to come into the holy place. We can confidently enter God’s presence, now and in the future, because of what Jesus Christ has done for us (died for us), and because of what Jesus Christ continues to do for us (intercedes for us).

It’s because of what Christ has done, and is doing, that believers are called to persevere in confident faith. So, how can we do that?

Peter DeHaan offers four tips for believers drawn from today’s reading:

Pursue God: Steadfastly move closer and closer to God, even as he gently pulls you to him. With a sincere heart and full of faith, yearn to be in his presence.
Hold Onto Hope: Hold fast to the promises of God, because God is trustworthy, and live accordingly. Align your thoughts and actions with your beliefs; don’t waiver – God is faithful.
Encourage One Another: Motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Start with the people closest to you, show them kindness love them as God has loved you.
Spend Time Together: Stay connected with other believers; share life together in worship, in Bible study, in prayer, and socially. We are stronger and better together.

Questions for consideration:

Would you describe yourself as a person who is confident in your faith? Please explain.
In what direction are you headed – closer to God, or farther away from him? Please explain.
When you think of God’s faithfulness, which of his promises come to mind? Why is that promise important to you? Please explain.
Where do you need encouragement right now? Do you know someone who also needs encouragement? How can you help one another? Please explain.
Do you connect regularly with other believers? What do you do when you get together? How can you strengthen our relationships with them? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Life Support Prayer:

Heavenly Father: Thank You for bringing me out of my old life of darkened understanding and hardness of heart. Help me live out what I have learned in Christ, as the Holy Spirit brings it to my attention. Protect all who advocate for life with Your full armor in our spiritual battle with Satan who seeks to destroy human life and rob us of joy. Equip us, protect us, and strengthen us for the work You have given us to do. I ask this in Jesus’ name, and for Your glory. Amen.

Prayer for Perseverance:

Heavenly Father: I bless and thank You for a brand new day, and for the fresh opportunities and challenges that this day will bring; thank You for Your loving-kindness that is renewed every morning.

I pray that I will walk worthy of You today and be a faithful witness in thought, word and deed – demonstrating a Christ-like attitude to all with whom I come in contact. Keep me ever-focused on You, Lord, and keep my heart steadfastly trusting You for all my needs and necessities.

Help me not to function in my own strength, but in the power of the Holy Spirit. May I stand firm in the truth of the gospel of grace and remain steadfastly looking to Jesus – trusting in Him to supply His sufficient strength for all occasions.

Teach me all that You would have me to learn today and give me the courage and strength to press on toward the goal for the upward call in Christ Jesus. I ask this in Jesus’ name, and for your glory. Amen.

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“Lord I Need You” – Matt Maher

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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: 18 Jun 2019 – Hebrews 10:1-18 ~ Jesus is making us holy.

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 10:1-18 (NLT)

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All

The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come, not the good things themselves. The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship. If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared.

But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of their sins year after year. For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. That is why, when Christ came into the world, he said to God,

“You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given me a body to offer. You were not pleased with burnt offerings or other offerings for sin. Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God—as is written about me in the Scriptures.’”

First, Christ said, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were you pleased with them” (though they are required by the law of Moses). Then he said, “Look, I have come to do your will.” He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect. For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.

Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.

And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says,

“This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts,

Then he says,

“I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.”

And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.
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Morning Reflection:

Jesus is making us holy.

For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ,
once for all time. – Hebrews 10:10

In today’s reading: the holiness of believers is viewed from two perspectives – our position in relation to God as Judge (justification), and our position in relation to our fellowship with God (sanctification). Both our justification and our sanctification are accomplished through the once and for all sacrifice of the body and blood of Jesus Christ – however, while our justification is a done deal through faith by grace, our sanctification is ongoing through faith by grace.

In other words, as believers in Jesus Christ, we have been declared holy; now we need to grow into the holy people that God declares us to be.

Questions for consideration:

Justification – Do you believe that your sins have been forgiven once and for all time? What is the basis for your belief? Please explain.
Sanctification – Do you believe that you are now sinless before God? How does that square with your lifestyle? Please explain.
An old testament understanding of holiness includes being separated from what is unclean and consecrated to what is pure. Where in your life do you need separation from sin and consecration to purity? Please explain.
A new testament understanding of holiness leads to the concept of sainthood. What does the word “sainthood” bring to your mind? Where do you need the power of God’s Spirit to help you become the “saint” that God already declares you are? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Life-Support Prayer:

Heavenly Father: Reveal the areas in my life where I need to grow up spiritually. I pray that every person now working to protect life would die to self, grow up in Christ, and be fully functional as the member of the body of Christ you have created us to be. And, call and equip many more with your Spirit to the work of elder care, advocacy for the unborn, and inclusion of persons with disabilities that they may lavish love and encouragement on those who are sick and distressed. I ask this in Jesus’ name, and for your glory. Amen.

Prayer for Personal Holiness:

Thank You Heavenly Father, for calling me out of darkness into Your marvelous light, setting me free from slavery to sin, and releasing me from bondage to fear. Thank You for breathing the new resurrection life of Christ into my very being. and for taking up permanent residence within my heart.

Lord I want to be led by Your Holy Spirit, and to walk in spirit and truth; I want to live a godly life and to develop personal holiness, but I don’t really know how. So I come to You incapable of being able to live a holy life myself, and humbly ask that You would teach me to be holy, and show me how You would have me live.

Open my eyes to see what You would have to do, unblock my ears so that I may hear Your still small voice, and give me a teachable spirit to learn all that You would teach me. I ask this in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, through whom I can do all things. Amen.

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“Holiness unto the Lord” – Eden’s Bridge

Holiness unto the Lord unto the King
Holiness unto Your name I will sing

Holiness unto Jesus | Holiness unto You Lord
Holiness unto Jesus | Holiness unto You Lord

I love You, I love Your ways, I love Your name
I love You, and all my days, I’ll proclaim

Holiness unto the Lord unto the King
Holiness unto Your name I will sing
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Closing:

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

Monday Morning: 17 Jun 2019 – Hebrews 9:11-28 ~ Jesus sacrificed himself to remove the sins of many.

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 9:11-28 (NLT)

Christ Is the Perfect Sacrifice

So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.

Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.

Now when someone leaves a will, it is necessary to prove that the person who made it is dead. The will goes into effect only after the person’s death. While the person who made it is still alive, the will cannot be put into effect.

That is why even the first covenant was put into effect with the blood of an animal. For after Moses had read each of God’s commandments to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, and sprinkled both the book of God’s law and all the people, using hyssop branches and scarlet wool. Then he said, “This blood confirms the covenant God has made with you.” And in the same way, he sprinkled blood on the Tabernacle and on everything used for worship. In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.

That is why the Tabernacle and everything in it, which were copies of things in heaven, had to be purified by the blood of animals. But the real things in heaven had to be purified with far better sacrifices than the blood of animals.

For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf. And he did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal. If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice.

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.
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Morning Reflection:

Jesus sacrificed himself to remove the sins of many.

With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—
[Jesus] entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.
– Hebrews 9:12

The emphasis in today’s reading is on the efficacy of the Blood of Christ to take away our sins, once and for all time.

Under the old covenant a blood sacrifice was required for purification (Lev. 17:11). However the lives of innocent animal substitutes were sufficient only to atone for sin temporarily. In contrast, under the new covenant, the life of Jesus Christ, his blood sacrifice, was a perfect human substitute which atoned for the sins of the world and adequately paid for the redemption of all people forever. Why is this important?

+ the blood of Jesus provided permanent cleansing from our sin
+ the blood of Jesus cleanses our consciences as worshipers
+ the blood of Jesus secures our hope in an “eternal inheritance”
+ the blood of Jesus enables us to wait eagerly for his return

Questions for consideration:

“As sinful pilgrims on their way to the heavenly city,
God’s people defile all they touch, even their ‘meeting place’ with God,
and they need the constant efficacy of the sacrifice of Christ their High Priest
to remove that defilement. [David J. MacLeod]

Do you see yourself as a “sinful pilgrim on your way to the heavenly city?” Please explain.
In what sense do “God’s people defile all they touch?” Please explain.
How does the blood sacrifice of Jesus remove that defilement once and for all time? Please explain.
Why do you think confession of sin is regularly included as an element of worship? Please explain.
Why is the Lord’s Supper an essential means of remembering what Jesus has done for us? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Life Support Prayer:

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for pro-life leaders around the world. Strengthen them in Christ Jesus and unite them in faith and practice that they may reflect maturity in Christ. Help us to set aside our differences for the greater good of our common witness: Choose Life. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Lord’s Supper: Words of Institution

On the night that he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this is my Body, which is given for you: Do this in remembrance of me.”

Likewise, after supper, Jesus took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink this, all of you; for this is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you, and for many, for the forgiveness of sins: Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.”

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

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“Nothing But The Blood” – Page CXVI

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Closing:

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

Saturday Morning, 15 Jun 2019 – Hebrews 9:1-10 ~ Jesus provides free access to God

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 9:1-10 (NLT)

Old Rules about Worship

That first covenant between God and Israel had regulations for worship and a place of worship here on earth. There were two rooms in that Tabernacle. In the first room were a lampstand, a table, and sacred loaves of bread on the table. This room was called the Holy Place. Then there was a curtain, and behind the curtain was the second room called the Most Holy Place. In that room were a gold incense altar and a wooden chest called the Ark of the Covenant, which was covered with gold on all sides. Inside the Ark were a gold jar containing manna, Aaron’s staff that sprouted leaves, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the Ark were the cherubim of divine glory, whose wings stretched out over the Ark’s cover, the place of atonement. But we cannot explain these things in detail now.

When these things were all in place, the priests regularly entered the first room as they performed their religious duties. But only the high priest ever entered the Most Holy Place, and only once a year. And he always offered blood for his own sins and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. By these regulations the Holy Spirit revealed that the entrance to the Most Holy Place was not freely open as long as the Tabernacle and the system it represented were still in use.

This is an illustration pointing to the present time. For the gifts and sacrifices that the priests offer are not able to cleanse the consciences of the people who bring them. For that old system deals only with food and drink and various cleansing ceremonies—physical regulations that were in effect only until a better system could be established.
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Morning Reflection:

By these regulations the Holy Spirit revealed
that the entrance to the Most Holy Place was not freely open
as long as the Tabernacle and the system it represented were still in use.– Hebrews 9:8

Today’s reading continues the explanation of why the new covenant is superior to the old – specifically that, under the old covenant access was limited to God’s Presence (the Most Holy Place), and the sacrificial offerings were inadequate (required repetition). The Tabernacle is used as an illustration because of its association with the giving of the Old Covenant to Moses at Mount Sinai.

The point being made is that the old system of worship did not meet the deepest need of God’s people, i.e. an intimate personal relationship with God. Its rites and ceremonies extended mainly to external matters until God would provide a better system at “a time of reformation.”

Questions for consideration:

What’s the difference between approaching God, through ritual or relationship? Please explain.
What role does ritual have in your relationship with God? Please explain.
Do you consider yourself as having free access to God? Yes / No. Please explain.
Do you have a clear conscience, i.e. a conscience that is right with God? Please explain.
If you are not sure, please click here.

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Morning Prayer:

Life Support Prayer:

Heavenly Father: Make us one, across all denominational lines, in our mission to care for of widows and orphans, young and old, weak and ill, disabled and distressed. Pour out your Spirit and usher in a season of refreshment that provides new energy and clarity for all who labor to protect human life – from fertilization until natural death. I ask this in Jesus’ name, the Lord of Life. Amen.

Prayer for a Clear Conscience:

“Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that you raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.”

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“Take Me In” – Petra

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Closing:

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

Friday Morning: 14 Jun 2019 – Hebrews 8:1-13 ~ Jesus ministers to us in heaven

Friday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for Endurance – Friday)

Almighty God, whose beloved Son first suffered pain and crucifixion before entering into glory: Mercifully grant that we, walking in his footsteps, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Hebrews 8:1-13 (NLT)

Christ Is Our High Priest

Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven. There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands.

And since every high priest is required to offer gifts and sacrifices, our High Priest must make an offering, too. If he were here on earth, he would not even be a priest, since there already are priests who offer the gifts required by the law. They serve in a system of worship that is only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven. For when Moses was getting ready to build the Tabernacle, God gave him this warning: “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.”

But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.

If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second covenant to replace it. But when God found fault with the people, he said:

“The day is coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and led them out of the land of Egypt. They did not remain faithful to my covenant, so I turned my back on them, says the Lord. But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already. And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” When God speaks of a “new” covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and will soon disappear.
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Morning Reflection:

Jesus ministers to us in heaven

Here is the main point:
We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven.
There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle,
the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands. – Hebrews 8:1-2

Today’s reading continues to make the case for the superiority of Jesus Christ as our High Priest under the new covenant that God has decreed. The new covenant has been established in heaven with Jesus seated by the throne of God – a place of worship, the Most Holy Place, unblemished by human involvement in its construction.

In this place of honor, Jesus ministers to us –

+ as our High Priest enthroned with God in heaven
+ as our High Priest in the real Tabernacle – the real Most Holy Place
+ as our High Priest in the real, eternal, presence of God

And how does this benefit us? Why is this ministry of Jesus under the new covenant a better way?

+ because under the new covenant – God lives in us
+ because under the new covenant – God empowers us to remain faithful
+ because under the new covenant – God gives us the desire to do his will
+ because under the new covenant – God establishes a privileged, unique relationship with himself
+ because under the new covenant – God permits us to know him directly
+ because under the new covenant – God makes a way for us to experience permanent forgiveness of our sins

Questions for consideration: As you review the benefits we receive from Jesus ministry to us –

What comes to mind when you think of Jesus seated in God’s presence? What does this mean for you? Please explain.
Which of the benefits listed above do you find most encouraging? Please explain.
Which of the benefits listed above are you least aware of in your every-day life? Please explain.
Which of the benefits listed above would you like to live into more? How could you do that? What would you like God to do? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Life Support Prayer:

Heavenly Father: Thank you for the older members of my family, and my family of faith. Help me to listen and learn from them, that I may grow in wisdom and understanding beyond my age. I pray, too, for all who are facing the limitations of aging, that they may be active in loving others and be filled with hope and encouragement. Thank you for those whom you have called to care for the elderly, equip them with the love and compassion of Jesus. It’s in his Name I ask it, Amen.

Prayer for Knowing and Loving God:

O God, the light of the minds that know you, the life of the souls that love you, and the strength of the wills that serve you: Help us so to know you that we may truly love you, and so to love you that we may fully serve you, whom to serve is perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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“Be Enthroned” – Bethel Music

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Closing:

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

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