The Daily Dose

Hard Heart

Exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  Hebrews 3:13

What does it mean to have a hard heart?  To be insensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit within your life?  This portion of scripture talks about how God’s people hardened their heart when they were in the wilderness. Because they were afraid to move forward in the direction He was leading them, they refused to go and as a result, they remained in a place of testing and trials for forty years. 

I have had my share of wilderness experiences and although they were not all because of my hard heart, mostly, I just spent too much time holding back the power of God in my life.  Let me give you an example of what I mean.  Many times, in my life I would sense a nudging in a certain direction, but I would say “I don’t want to do that” or “No, that’s not for me.”  There were various reasons I responded this way like: I was afraid, or I didn’t want to exert the energy to do it.  Mostly, I didn’t even realize it was the Holy Spirit prompting me.  I just thought it was a random idea that I really wasn’t interested in. 

After many years of living life by the rule of “I don’t want to that”, I began to recognize that these promptings were coming from the greater One inside me and my response should be.  “Father, I’m not sure if I can do that, but if that is the direction you want me to go, I’m going to trust you to put my desire there and give me the strength and faith to begin to head in that direction.  This is the same response the Israelites could have given and God would have led them step by step to their promised land. In the same way that God was trying to get His greatest blessings to His people back in Moses’ day, He is always guiding you and me to where His blessings and empowerment are. But because of a hard heart or not recognizing His promptings, we miss out on all that God has for us.

Today’s verse says to exhort and encourage each other daily.  Speak the Word and plans of God to your friends and family members to remind each other not to let your heart grow hard.  It is so easy to become distracted by the pressures of life and the issues of today’s world.  You can begin to wonder, “Where is God in all of this?”  The truth is He is right where He has always been, leading and directing your life by the Holy Spirit on the inside of you.  However, it is up to you to seek the faith and power to follow His direction and keep your heart from growing hard.

Today I want to encourage you to press into God your Father and turn over any hard areas of your heart to Him.  Become aware of hidden and secret places you may be keeping in the dark and allow Him to reveal any areas you are holding back.  Use the phrases “I don’t want to” or “I don’t feel like it” to alert you when you are rejecting the Holy Spirit’s direction inside of you.  Submit all your ways to Him and offer your life as a living sacrifice to do your part in His plan.  Get out of any wilderness you may have found yourself stuck in by surrendering all to Him today.

Today’s scripture reading: Hebrews 3:7-15

7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you will hear His voice,

8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness,

9 Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years.

10 Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.’

11 So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’ ”

12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;

13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

14For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,

15 while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

 

What is the focus?

Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus.  Hebrews 3:1

What is your focus, and how do you maintain it from day to day?  I used to be distracted with the cares of life.  As my mind would wander from tasks I was doing, my thoughts would go to the things that were heavy on my heart.  How am I going to fit everything into my day?  How am I going to make ends meet until my next pay?  How am I going to keep my family protected and what is going to happen in my future?  Then when I did have time to just escape, I would daydream about how good I wished my life was.  Oh yeah, I did pray some, but mostly just when I needed something new, like a job or place to live.  Mostly, I considered I was on my own to work out my problems.  Jesus was my Savior, but my mentality was that it stopped there.  I’m saved, but now I’m on my own.

Then one day, I realized I don’t have to do this life alone.  God sent His Spirit to help me through.  That meant I could turn to Him and trust Him with all the details.  I asked Jesus to be my Lord and gave Him all the care that I was trying to carry myself.  I gave Him control over all the details of my life.  I no longer had to worry about what would or could happen, now I consider that Jesus is faithful and will handle every detail perfectly.  He is my Lord, Apostle/sent One and High priest of my confession and all that I speak.  Now when I am distracted with thoughts, I consider and think about Him.  He is taking care of my concerns, my finances and my family.  When I have time to escape, I run to His Word.  I meditate His promises and talk to Him about how those promises apply to my life.  I am thankful and let Him know how much I love Him!

This is exactly what today’s scripture reading is all about.  We are encouraged to consider/think about Jesus our High Priest.  He is the faithful One and He can be trusted.  We don’t have to worry about if things are going to go badly, this passage emphasizes His faithfulness and how much more He is faithful than even Moses was to the people of God at the beginning. You can trust Him with every detail of your life.

Today I want to encourage you to consider and think about Jesus.  Think about how faithful He has been in your life so far.  Think about the details of your life you have trusted Him with, and He has carried you through faithfully.  Think about the great love He displayed for you when He paid the debt of your sin.  If you have received Him as your Savior, but never turned over every area of your life to Him, do that today.  Ask Jesus to be the LORD of all and turn over every hidden thought and worry in your heart to Him.  He knows about them already, so go ahead and let Him handle them.

Today’s scripture reading: Hebrews 3:1-6

1Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,

2who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.

3For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house.

4For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God.

5And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward,

6but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

You are not alone

And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me.  John 8:16

If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and have received eternal life through His salvation in His blood, you have a mission here in this world.  Not every believer recognizes the call on their life and it is up to each individual to press in and pursue it.  For some it may be easier to discern what that assignment is, but have no doubt, that great work He has for you will require faith steps and trusting in Him every step of the way.  If it didn’t, then you would be able to accomplish it on your own and you would get all the glory.  God partners with us as we walk out our mission in life and He leads us each step of the way.  The reason is so that we can share in His glory with Him.  He wants to ensure our victory and He wants to make you look good in the process.  Not to be proud or haughty about it, but to humbly acknowledge that you are His vessel to walk out His purpose in the world.

In todays reading, we can see this happening in Jesus’ life.  Even though He is the Son of God, He still worked with God to get His mission done.  He did nothing on His own agenda, and He checked in with His Father often to stay on track.  In the key verse, Jesus said that He was not in this alone, but He was working with His Father in heaven that sent Him.  He went on to say that He and His Father were in agreement and that was what made His witness and mission true and successful.

We can also get into agreement with our Father in heaven.  By taking time each day to press in and get His direction for the day, you can partner with Him in the plans that He has for your life.  Let me just let you in on a little secret.  His plan is good, and His plan is fulfilling.  He will never lead you in the wrong direction and as you follow the plan, you will never fall into a ditch.  You may not get it perfectly right every time, but if you continue to seek Him, He will continue to lead you to the place of success and victory.

So today, remember that you are not alone, and you do not have to walk through life guessing at what needs to be done. Your salvation in Jesus is the first step in walking out your greatest life and adventure.  Take time today and everyday to listen to His leading and then as you go through the day, check in often even if it is just to say, “Thank You for being with me every step of the way!”

Today’s scripture reading: John 8:13-20

13 The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.”

14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. 

15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 

16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. 

17 It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. 

18 I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.”

19 Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”

20 These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come.

You are not alone

And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me.  John 8:16

If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and have received eternal life through His salvation in His blood, you have a mission here in this world.  Not every believer recognizes the call on their life and it is up to each individual to press in and pursue it.  For some it may be easier to discern what that assignment is, but have no doubt, that great work He has for you will require faith steps and trusting in Him every step of the way.  If it didn’t, then you would be able to accomplish it on your own and you would get all the glory.  God partners with us as we walk out our mission in life and He leads us each step of the way.  The reason is so that we can share in His glory with Him.  He wants to ensure our victory and He wants to make you look good in the process.  Not to be proud or haughty about it, but to humbly acknowledge that you are His vessel to walk out His purpose in the world.

In todays reading, we can see this happening in Jesus’ life.  Even though He is the Son of God, He still worked with God to get His mission done.  He did nothing on His own agenda, and He checked in with His Father often to stay on track.  In the key verse, Jesus said that He was not in this alone, but He was working with His Father in heaven that sent Him.  He went on to say that He and His Father were in agreement and that was what made His witness and mission true and successful.

We can also get into agreement with our Father in heaven.  By taking time each day to press in and get His direction for the day, you can partner with Him in the plans that He has for your life.  Let me just let you in on a little secret.  His plan is good, and His plan is fulfilling.  He will never lead you in the wrong direction and as you follow the plan, you will never fall into a ditch.  You may not get it perfectly right every time, but if you continue to seek Him, He will continue to lead you to the place of success and victory.

So today, remember that you are not alone, and you do not have to walk through life guessing at what needs to be done. Your salvation in Jesus is the first step in walking out your greatest life and adventure.  Take time today and everyday to listen to His leading and then as you go through the day, check in often even if it is just to say, “Thank You for being with me every step of the way!”

Today’s scripture reading: John 8:13-20

13 The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.”

14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. 

15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 

16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. 

17 It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. 

18 I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.”

19 Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”

20 These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come.

What would you do?

They said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. John 8:4

Have you ever been caught in the act?  Maybe it was taking a cookie after you were told specifically not to? Or maybe you “borrowed” something from a friend or neighbor without letting them know?  When you got caught, how did it feel?  Was it awkward?  Did you feel bad or like you betray a friend’s trust?  Did you make excuses or blame someone else? Maybe you just laughed it off like it was no big deal.  Ideally, you would own it by admitting that you did wrong and ask for forgiveness from the person you were offending.

In today’s reading, the religious leaders brought a woman to Jesus whom they said they caught in the act of adultery.  Talk about awkward and shameful!  How humiliating it was for this woman to be dragged into a group of people to be condemned and even worse stoned.  They were prepared to kill her because it was the law and lets face it, they had done it before.  This time there was an alternate purpose for condemning the woman and the fact is that she was probably set up so that they could bring her to Jesus.  The whole situation was so messed up.

Jesus didn’t panic and it is no surprise that He handled the situation with the God kind of love in the God kind of way.  The first thing He did was not let the pressure of the crowd bully Him into making a rash or quick decision.  He took His time to consider wisdom and also showed that He was not moved by the outward circumstances but with compassion toward the women who was the guilty person.

Next Jesus seemed like He was just going about His business and not letting their urgency press Him at all.  He knelt down to write in the dirt. Like He is totally disconnected to the situation.  Finally, after the leaders continue to push Him, He gives the all wise answer of “Anyone who has not sinned go ahead and throw your stones.”  Well, we all know that there is no one without sin, except for Jesus and since He wasn’t condemning her, there was no one left to punish her for her crime.  After all that, Jesus turned to talk to the woman.  He told her to go and sin no more.  Then He told everyone left there that He is the light of the world and when we follow Him, we will not walk in the darkness.  What a great message and promise.

I want to encourage you today that when you have the opportunity to judge or condemn others for their mistakes or sin, be like Jesus and don’t give into that pressure.  Take some time to consider wisdom and the best way to respond.  It is okay to let others wait for an answer and you will always look wise and not foolish when you wait on the Holy Spirit for direction. On the other side of that, if you get caught doing something you were not supposed to do, (hopefully nothing to this extent) don’t try to cover it up. Admit it and get rid of it. Hiding and covering things gives the enemy the hold he desires to have over your life. Expose him as soon as possible and get free from his grip for good.

Today’s scripture reading: John 8:1-12

1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

2 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. 

3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 

4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 

5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” 

6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.

7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 

8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 

9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 

10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”

11 She said, “No one, Lord.” and Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Your background

They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.” John 7:52

Where did you come from and what is your background?  Did you grow up in a wealthy home or was it average?  Were you brought up in a Christian family or did you know very little about God?  When you look back now, it doesn’t necessarily look like it has a lot to do with where you are in life at this point, but in reality, where you were born and how you were raised can be a determining factor in many of your life decisions and can define you as an adult if you let it.

In my case, I was raised in a Christian home.  Actually, my dad was a pastor, so I was in church three times a week for the first 18 years of my life.  God was very important in our home, and I learned at a young age to talk to Him and learn His Word.  However, after I turned 18, it didn’t take long at all for my reputation to change and when I moved away from the people in that small town I grew up in, there was very little evidence of God on the outside of me.  Then, people who knew me had no idea of where I had come from, and I didn’t talk about it much at all.

The verse today is about Jesus’ background and even though He lived a sinless life, He was judged by the area He was from.  The Pharisees thought they knew His kind because of where His ministry began.  They also knew what the scripture said about where the Messiah would be born.  Because Jesus was born in one place, but grew up in another, those religious minded people did not want to acknowledge Him as their Lord. 

His reputation as a Galilean was only one of the reasons, they used to discredit Him.  But when it came to the scriptures, it just didn’t matter what anyone else believed.  He was and is the Messiah and no matter what His reputation was with the chief priests, His relationship with God was what really mattered.

That is what is important for you today too.  Your relationship with your Father is the only thing that matters.  Sure, you want to be respected and live honestly and upright, but even if you fall short, your Father in heaven will be there to pick you up and get you back on track again.  Don’t let where you have come from or what you have done in the past define who you are, just be who your loving Father in heaven designed you to be.

Today’s scripture reading: John 7:45-52

45 Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?”

46 The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!”

47 Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived? 

48 Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? 

49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.”

50 Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, 

51 “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?”

52 They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.”

53 And everyone went to his own house.

Division

So there was a division among the people because of Him. John 7: 43.

Have you ever wondered why there are so many denominations of churches in the world today?  Seriously, it is crazy that in America alone, there are over 30,000.  That is insane.  How is the body of Christ supposed to be a bride when she is in so many pieces.  It is like she has been broken and now she tries to be effective in the world operating out of all her broken pieces.

However, as sad as the picture of a broken bride is, division in God’s people is not a new concept.  Even before the foundation of the church there were divisions in God’s people.  In Jesus’ day, there were the priests, the Pharisees and the Sadducees.  There were also elders and scribes.  They all believed in the same God, but their doctrines were based on what the could understand and figure out, not on God’s Word, or at least not solely on His Word.

In today’s reading, the crowd of people were trying to figure out who Jesus was.  They knew a little of the scripture.  Enough to know that the Messiah was to be from Bethlehem.  They talked among themselves to try to understand and justify who He was.  Maybe a prophet or maybe the Christ?  The passage doesn’t say that they actually argued, but it does say there was a division which implies a disagreement.  Some took one side and others took another stance.  Even if they would have asked Jesus and He told them, they still would have had different ideas.  That is just the way that people are.

This is the reason it is so important to have a standard to align your life with.  That standard is the Word of God.  Today, we have access to God’s word on a continual basis. It is unlimited.  You would think that would be enough to bring God’s people into agreement, but sadly God’s word is often used to fit people instead of being used to change and grow His people.  There is another gift God has given the church today and that is the gift of the Holy Spirit.  As I mentioned yesterday, the Holy Spirit was not available to all of God’s people the way He is today.  He is truly a gift that has been given to the church and when we all yield completely to His leading, we will come together in agreement.  That is when the Bride of Christ will be blameless, and without spot or wrinkle.

Today I want to encourage you to look for points of agreement with others in the body of believers.  We do have some common ground and when we focus on that instead of correcting one another, we can begin to follow the leading of God’s spirit today in agreement.  We believe in the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all unrighteousness.  We believe that Jesus is the only way and door to the Father. (John 14:6) and we all believe that God love the world so much that He gave His One and only Son so that anyone who believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.  When you meet other Christians who may be of another denomination than yours, look for the common ground and celebrate God’s great love for the world.  As we begin to do this, the Holy Spirit will heal the broken pieces of Jesus’ bride and we will be whole and complete with nothing missing or broken.

Today’s scripture reading: John 7:40-44

40 Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” 

41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? 

42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” 

43 So there was a division among the people because of Him. 

44 Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.

Living Water?

It’s been a while, almost two weeks since I have written a fresh “Dose”. Thank you all for your patience and I hope today’s dose will be a blessing to you. I have been struggling a little bit with this passage, but mostly, I have been busy and not able to keep up with writing like a want to. Even this morning as I began to write, I had an idea how to start, but was not sure about the whole “living water” thing. I don’t know why I was making it so hard, but I realized after I wrote, it was because I had actually become thirsty myself. I commit today to filling up on His “living water” each day instead of just sipping it. I’m not sure yet what that looks like, but I do not want my life to become stale ever again.

“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38

There are many kinds of water.  There is fresh water, drinking water and spring water.  There is bottled water and tap water.  There is even smart water and skinny water.  We know that water is good for our bodies and the reason is because that is one of the ingredients that we are made up of.  In fact, most people have up to 60% in water weight if they are healthy.

In today’s reading, Jesus talks about “living water”.  In fact, He talks loudly about it.  I am sure that there was some interest because most people had probably never heard of living water before and tuned in to hear what it was.  Jesus wanted to let the people know that if they were thirsty for life, if they were feeling dry, stale and without hope, they could receive Him and be invigorated with new life and purpose.  They could live life to the fullest and be empowered to help others along the way.

Vs. 39 in this chapter explains that Jesus was talking about receiving the Holy Spirit that had not yet been given.  Up until that time, only the prophets and sometimes kings could hear from God through His Spirit.  Jesus was letting the people know that the Spirit of life was coming, and He would be available to all people so that they could live lives of purpose and meaning, not just existing here until they die.

What a great promise that carries on today to us.  We can drink of His living water every day by getting into His Word and spending time filling up with His power through prayer and meditating on the scripture.  God wants us to live victorious and intentional to complete our mission and to rescue the lost and perishing ones and we can do this with the help of the Spirit that He has deposited inside of His people for such a time as this.

Today I want to encourage you if you are feeling dry, thirsty and stale to get some “living water.”  Spend time with your Father of love and find out the mission He has for you today.  Take in His Words and drink them all day long in your meditations and keep His Spirit close all day long by checking in regularly to complete your assignment.  Let the Spirit of the Living God fill you up with His Living Water today and continue to drink there so that your life never becomes dry and stale again.

Today’s scripture reading: John 7:37-39

37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 

38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 

39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Don’t live in bondage

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Hebrews 2:14 & 15

Many times in the old testament, God intervened in the world by using angels, prophets, judges, kings even animals and weather.  However, these were mostly sent to bring messages or to get people out of trouble.  I wonder why God didn’t choose to get rid of sin by one of these methods or beings.  Even when God completely destroyed everything in the world except one family and the animals with water, sin’s dominion was not removed.   It was necessary for God Himself to come into the world as a person to take care of the sin problem because sin entered into the world through a man.  That is why a man’s blood had to be given to satisfy the requirement that God had already established to eliminate sin.

Now we know that sin was not eliminated in the world.  Obviously, sin is still here and running rampant.  But, when a person enters into the blood covenant with God through the blood of Jesus, they are no longer subject to the required payment and penalty for sin.  We have been set free and released from the hold that sin once had over our lives.

Today’s scripture says that Jesus destroyed the one (devil) who once had the power of death.  That means, Satan no longer has power, he has been defeated.  However, he still pretends that he does have power and is always trying to get it back through the same way he got it, through people.  It is up to each individual to stop following him back into bondage. 

This is the message that God has been trying to get to us since the beginning of time.  If we look at the examples of those who have gone before us, we can clearly see that living a sinful life leads to bondage and a deliverer has always been required to get us out.  God’s people were in slavery to the Egyptians, then He sent Moses to lead them out.  They were trapped in the wilderness, then Joshua led them out.  Over and over again, God’s people found themselves oppressed and needing a “savior” to get them out.  Finally, He came down to take care of this problem once and for all and became the flesh and blood Savior that would allow people to individually get free from sin’s grip. 

In Christ Jesus, we no longer need to be afraid of death or satisfying the requirement for our sin.  That has already been done by our Savior, Jesus.  Now He wants to lead each one of us into His promised land to live a life of peace, contentment and enjoyment by lining up with the kingdom of God’s ways.

Today I want to encourage you to enter into His rest.  Don’t be carried away with all the bad news of the world.  The world is still a sinful place and fear has a stronger hold than ever, but we are not subject to the bondage/hold of that fearful way.  We have a Savior and He wants us to be free and has made the way for us to live in that freedom.  Press into Him and receive His peace right in the middle of the turmoil of today.  By focusing on His love and His Word, you can purge out the fear of death in your own life personally.  Trust Him to get you through to the missions He has planned for you each day and don’t be afraid of failing.  He has a path right through the middle of the valley of death and will walk through it with you to success.

Today’s scripture reading: Hebrews 2:14-18

14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.

17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

He calls us brothers and sisters

For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly, I will sing praise to You.”  Hebrews 2:11&12

Jesus isn’t ashamed, afraid or shy about calling us His family.  In fact, this passage actually says that we are His brothers and sisters.  This is an amazing revelation, not only are we brothers and sisters with all who have been born again into salvation through Jesus, we are also brothers and sisters to Jesus, personally.

Next comes the really amazing part . . . Jesus praises our Heavenly Father with us.  When we come together, in church, each week and sing praise and worship to God, Jesus does too.  Right along with us, in fact, He is the one that is offering our praise to our Father.  He is our go between.  Not only does He give our requests and prayers to God, but He also gives Him our praise, worship and thanksgiving!

Now, something I have never considered before, the passages say that Jesus is declaring God our Father’s name to us.  He goes to Father on our behalf, and He brings back His response to us on God’s behalf.  Through the Holy Spirit within us, we can know that God is not only hearing our praise, worship, prayers and request but we can also know that He is receiving and answering through Jesus our high priest and go between.

Today I want to encourage you to consider that Jesus is our brother in the family of God.  As children of the most high God, Jesus represents all of us to our Father, then He represents our Father back to us.  When you talk to God, consider that your brother Jesus is there interpreting for you.  When you worship God, Jesus is there getting the message through.  When God gives the answer, Jesus declares it back to us through the Spirit of God inside us.  Then the Spirit of God bears witness with Jesus and puts peace, love and joy in our heart, so we know we have the petition we have asked.

Today’s scripture reading:  Hebrews 2:10-13

10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,

12 saying: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly, I will sing praise to You.”

13 And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And again:

“Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.”