Saturday Morning, 22 Jun 2019 – Hebrews 11:32-40 ~ Faith makes heroes

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 11:32-40 (NLT)

How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death.

But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.
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Morning Reflection:

Faith makes heroes.

All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith,
yet none of them received all that God had promised.
– Hebrews 11:30

The Old Testament is full of good models of persevering, living faith and today we are reminded of several of them, and what they accomplished. It’s important to note that none of these heroes was perfect, and yet God approved of the faith of each one.

In some cases, by faith these heroes accomplished great things.
In other cases, these heroes were persecuted, tortured and killed because of their faith.
But in every case they stayed the course by faith because they believed in the better future that God had promised them.

“. . . it is the future, and not the past, that molds the present. . . .” (William L. Lane)

Hebrews Chapter 11 is intended to inspire us to trust and obey God, even if we don’t realize God’s promises to us in our lifetime.

Questions for consideration:

Do you believe that God can make you a hero of faith? Why / Why not? Please explain.
How has God positioned you to uniquely bear witness to your faith? What are your opportunities? What are your challenges? Please explain.
When you think of God’s promises for a better future, what comes to mind? Please explain.
What would it / does it take to live as a child of that promise? Please explain.
What do you need to do? What do you need God to do? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Life Support Prayer:

Heavenly Father: Fill us with Your Spirit, that all who work to protect life will show that we belong to you by how we love one another and how we treat others. I pray for those who are facing life and death decisions right now, that they may be attracted to you, and receive your love and hope and help through us. I ask this in Jesus name. Amen.

Prayer in Times of Suffering or Weakness:

Dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: I hold up all my weakness to your strength, my failure to your faithfulness, my sinfulness to your perfection, my loneliness to your compassion, my little pains to your great agony on the Cross. I pray that you will cleanse me, strengthen me, guide me, so that in all ways my life may be lived as you would have it lived, without cowardice and for you alone. Show me how to live in true humility, true contrition, and true love. Amen.

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“Press On” – 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

Friday Morning: 21 Jun 2019 – Hebrews 11:17-31 ~ Faith is tested.

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 11:17-31 (NLT)

It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.

It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau.

It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff.

It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt. He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left.

It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command.

It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. It was by faith that Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons.

It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were all drowned.

It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down.

It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
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Morning Reflection:

It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him.
– Hebrews 11:17

It’s difficult to get beyond the first couple of verses in today’s reading. God had big plans for Abraham – he would become the father of many nations with descendants as many as the stars in the skies. And yet, God tested Abraham’s faith by asking him to give up not only the son he loved, but also his hopes and dreams for the future.

How could Abraham do such a thing – so counter to the promises that God had made to him? Here’s how Abraham reasoned – If Isaac dies, God can raise him from the dead. And so God did – so to speak – Isaac was spared and God remained faithful to his covenantal promise.

The Gospel of John reminds us –

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
– John 3:16

And the Apostle Paul pleads with us –

I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you.
Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable.
This is truly the way to worship him. – Romans 12:1

Abraham was willing to continue to trust and obey God, even if it meant giving up his son. And God himself did just that – he gave up his Son so that we might live forever.

Questions for consideration:

What do you think it means to give yourself as a living and holy sacrifice to God? Please explain.
Abraham was willing to give up a loved one in trust and obedience to God? If God asked that of you, who comes to mind and how do you think you would respond? Please explain.
Have you received a promise from God that is yet to be fulfilled in this life? Please explain.
What does it cost you to trust and obey God now, believing he will fulfill his promise to you – if not now, then in eternity? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Life Support Prayer:

Heavenly Father: Pour out Your Spirit on all who advocate for the protection of human life. Deliver us from anger triggered by Christian apathy toward the desperate circumstances of the widows and orphans living among us. Fill us with a spirit of kindness and self-control, and give us the words to speak the truth, gently and lovingly – that we may act with love and compassion toward those who disagree with us. Thank You Lord for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins – remind us that He died for all of us, and that He alone will judge the living and the dead. I ask this in Jesus’ name. 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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“Before The Throne Of God” – Lee Scott

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Closing:

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

Thursday Morning: 20 Jun 2019 – Hebrews 11:1-16 ~ Faith confirms and convicts.

Thursday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for Guidance – Thursday)

Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Hebrews 11:1-16 (NLT)

Great Examples of Faith

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.

By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.

It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.

It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.

It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.

All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
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Morning Reflection:

Faith confirms and convicts.

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.
– Hebrews 11:1

In today’s reading, faith is described along with examples of old testament saints who persevered in faith.

So what is the nature of faith? Faith confirms our confidence in Christ, and convicts us of our hope in Christ. Faith is the basis of all the Christian life means, and all the Christian hopes for. Faith is essential for connecting with God. Faith is a way of viewing all of life, what lies ahead as well as what is in the past. It involves accepting God’s viewpoint as He has revealed it in His Word.

It is impossible to please God without faith.
Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and
that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. – Hebrews 11:6

So how did faith play out in the lives of some of the old testament saints?

By faith – They understood the entire universe was formed at God’s command
By faith – Abel offered God his first and best
By faith – Noah built an Ark before it began to rain
By faith – Abraham went out not knowing where he was going
By faith – Sarah was able to give birth to a son in her old age
By faith – Abraham lived as a stranger, looking forward to eternity
By faith – They expected God to reward their faithfulness

Questions for consideration:

Where would you place yourself on the faith scale – from 1 (zero) to 10 (hero)? Please explain.
Can you think of an example where you exercised faith by believing without seeing? Please explain.
Which of the examples of faith listed above speak to your present circumstances? Please explain.
What do you expect to receive from God as a reward for your faithfulness? Please explain.
How long are you willing to wait for God to fulfill is promises to you? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Life Support Prayer:

Heavenly Father: Raise up capable leaders in every faith community – grounded in Your Word and empowered by Your Spirit – whom You can use to mobilize the work of loving and protecting human life. And produce in me the character and faith required to support this good work. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayer for Increased Faith:

Mighty Everlasting Father, I humbly come before Your throne of grace and mercy, laying down my life before You. Only You can satisfy the longing within me; You are my heart’s desire. I yearn to be in Your Holy presence, constantly seeking Your will and Your great plans for my life. Draw me nearer and closer to You daily, as my thirst is quenched by Your springs of living waters. Increase my confidence and boldness that I may move forward in faith wherever You send me. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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“By Faith” – Keith & Kristyn Getty

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Closing:

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

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:

+ 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

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