• FAITH ACTS AND IS NOT PASSIVE

    FAITH ACTS AND IS NOT PASSIVE Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. —James 1:22-25 It is self deception to merely listen to the Word of God without doing what it says. Self deception…

  • ATTITUDES TOWARD LEADERSHIP

    ATTITUDES TOWARD LEADERSHIP Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith… Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. —Hebrews 13:7, 17 Who are those leaders “spoke the Word of God to you?” Have you considered the outcome of their faith? Do you know how faith has impacted their life? Do you know about their relationship with Jesus?…

  • WE WON’T BE SHAKEN!

    WE WON’T BE SHAKEN! At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” —Hebrews 12:26-29 We will not be shaken because we believe in God who cannot be shaken and “we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.” We…

  • GOD IS CREATOR

    GOD IS CREATOR By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. —Hebrews 11:3 What do we know by faith (Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1)? We are told that “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (Romans 10:17) and that “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). By…

  • SPUR EACH OTHER ON!

    SPUR EACH OTHER ON! And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. —Hebrews 10:24-25 I have run into those many times who have said that they do not need to attend a local church. Those who say such things do not have an understanding of what God says about the universal and local church, Jesus being the only Head of it. There are professing believers that say they don’t need to attend a local church, but…

  • HOLD FAST

    HOLD FAST! Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. —Hebrews 10:23 Are you holding unswervingly to the hope you profess? You can because “He who has promised is faithful! You say, “Well, I am not feeling like that right now! I feel like throwing in the towel. I feel like giving up, giving in.” What is it that is making you “feel” that way? Remember… we are in spiritual warfare and there is an adversary that would love for you to call it quits. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsQ58qn7G_4 Satan is a destroyer. How many times has he used “feelings” to destroy work relationships, business relationships,…

  • ONLY ONE SACRIFICE

    ONLY ONE SACRIFICE Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. —Hebrews 9:1 The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. —Hebrews 9:8-9 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to…

  • OUR LOVING, COMPASSIONATE AND FAITHFUL GOD

    OUR LOVING, COMPASSIONATE AND FAITHFUL GOD Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. —Lamentations 3:22-23 This verse brings out four great truths: 1- He has great love for us. 2- His compassions never fail. 3- His compassions are new every morning. 2— His faithfulness is great. Now we look to the cross and think about what Jesus said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what…

  • JESUS SAID, “IT IS FINISHED”

    JESUS SAID, “IT IS FINISHED” Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all…

  • JUDGMENT

    JUDGMENT “Sharpen the arrows, take up the shields! The Lord has stirred up the kings of the Medes, because his purpose is to destroy Babylon. The Lord will take vengeance, vengeance for his temple. —Jeremiah 51:11 Prepare the nations for battle against her— the kings of the Medes, their governors and all their officials, and all the countries they rule. —Jeremiah 51:28 The Lord will destroy Babylon; he will silence her noisy din. Waves of enemies will rage like great waters; the roar of their voices will resound. A destroyer will come against Babylon; her warriors will be captured, and their bows will be broken. For the Lord is a…