Hebrews 10:19-25

Hebrews 10:19-25

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ 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.

Jesus has made a way for us.  A way for us to have life and to have it eternal.  A way for us to confidently pray.  A way for us to have forgiveness of sin.  A way for us to stand strong in our faith.  A way for us to encourage each other. Jesus has made a way for us.  Jesus is the way and there is no other way.  

Galatians 5:22-26

Galatians 5:22-26

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

At first as I read the list of the fruit of the spirit one phrase stuck out to me, "Against such things there is no law."  I got to thinking about this and at the surface glance it made me think that in life no law has been made that says you can't do these things.  Actually it would seem completely absurd to make a law stating that these things would be practiced.  These things are obviously in our culture looked favorably upon and encouraged.  While many would not recognize that these things are of God and specifically in the Christians life a work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  The truth is that they are characteristics of God and when we practice them we are in a very real sense demonstrating God toward others.  So let love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control stream from my life so that others might see in my Jesus Christ.   

Colossians 3:12-13

Colossians 3:12-13

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Gods chosen people wow that just sounds amazing.  The day I became part of the "chosen" is the day I put my faith in Jesus Christ.  It is through salvation along that I am chosen and salvation is found in no one else other than Jesus Christ.  With being chosen comes certain responsibilities that set us apart in our actions and reactions.

Paul exhorts us to clothe ourselves.  Literally means to put on, to choose, to be intentional about showing compassion, kindness, humility and so on.  As I look over this list the one that I struggle with the most is gentleness.  Especially in the way I react and talk with my kids.  My prayer is that as I surrender this area of my life that God will take control and will give me the strength to speak in love and with gentleness.  But I do believe that if i intentionally choose to clothe myself with gentleness that God will indeed give me what I need to be gentle.  

Father grant me the strength and the determination to intentionally put on gentleness.  I know that this is a fruit of the spirit and so I believe that by doing so is something that you will help me to accomplish.  May you help me to be quick to expressing myself with gentleness and slow to anger, frustration.  

Colossians 4:5-6

Colossians 4:5-6

⁵ Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. ⁶ Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

The phrase "actions speak louder than words" maybe would be better said "words speak louder than actions" in the context of this set of verses.  I guess really there is an emphasis on both action and words.   Verse 5 makes it clear that we must be wise (full of understanding) in how we act toward those who do not know Christ.  Verse 6 makes it clear that our words must also be used properly.  

For me I know which one is more difficult, my words.  It is so difficult to have my words seasoned with grace and salt.  Its when when my words are full of grace and seasoned with salt that I will be able to respond properly. The phrase "you may know how to answer" is not talking about what to say as it is how to say it.  The word how is speaking of the manner or the attitude of how words are spoken.  Are they spoken in love or anger, are they mean or caring, are they destructive or building up.  For me its the how (manner) of my words that I struggle with, not so much what I say but how I say it, especially toward my kids.  I really do believe that my words are words that honestly I say for their best.  But even building up words said in the wrong how (manner) can become destructive, hurtful and invoke the opposite response.  

This is an area of my life that I have to daily (moment by moment) surrender to the Lord and seek His strength.  Because in my own strength I cannot accomplish what I have set out to do.  

Father today give me the strength and wisdom to speak words in a manner that would honor and glorify you.  Help me to speak my words toward my kids as if I was saying them to you.  May you always be on the tip of my tongue and the edge of my heart so that you come spilling out.  

1 Samuel 7:7-12

1 Samuel 7:7-12

⁷ When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. When the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. ⁸ They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” ⁹ Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. He cried out to the Lord on Israel’s behalf, and the Lord answered him.

¹⁰ While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. ¹¹ The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar.

¹² Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

The song, "Come Thou Fount" has a line that is often sung but not understood.  "Here I raise my Ebenezer", is taken from this very passage of scripture.  Ebenezer means the Lord helps us.  It was a rock that was used to remind the people of God that He helps His children.  To raise my Ebenezer is to remember that God is God that helps us.  The word helps means surrounds, girds, defends the one it is focused upon.  In this case the people of God and in my case myself.  What a comfort to know that God helps us, that he surrounds us that he defends us, why because we really are such vulnerable people.  We are finite while he is infinite, we are weak while he is strong.  I am reminded of another great hymn, "I Need Thee."  

I need thee every hour, most gracious Lord; 
 no tender voice like thine can peace afford. 
Refrain:
I need thee, O I need thee; 
every hour I need thee; 
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.

I need thee every hour; stay thou nearby; 
temptations lose their power when thou art nigh. 

I need thee every hour, in joy or pain; 
come quickly and abide, or life is vain. 

I need thee every hour; teach me thy will; 
and thy rich promises in me fulfill. 

I need thee every hour, most Holy One; 
O make me thine indeed, thou blessed Son. 

1 Peter 5:5-6

1 Peter 5:5-6

⁵ In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

I have been working with you for a long time and this passage gives much insight into what I have seen played out in life.  Those that are younger should always submit themselves to those who would be called their elders (teachers, parents, authorities, etc....) But notice it does not stop there both the elders and the younger are instructed to clothe themselves with humility toward one another.  I have often heard of humility being defined practically as the ability to put anothers needs before my own.

What I have seen is that too often the younger do not respect or submit (obey) the elders.  But I also see much of the time the elders not willing to put the needs of younger above their own.  I believe this is partly why we have such disconnect between generations in the church.  Why we see little of the older discipling the younger and why that divide seems to be growing.  There is no question that both sides are to blame and that it will take both sides being willing to put verses such as this in practice.  But I do believe that their are many adults and many teens that are leading the way in this and they are having great success.  My prayer is that their example would spread to the rest of the church and be a spring board for really exciting days ahead as we learn to encourage each other and see Christ glorified in our actions.