1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful[a] in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Spiritual Blessings in Christ 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with … Continue reading
To this point in Hebrews we have seen that the sacrificial system of the Law was meant to point the worshipers in the direction of Christ. It was instituted to create an awareness that sins were something that had to be dealt with because God is holy and just. We’ve seen that Christ is our … Continue reading
Chapter 8 showed us that Jesus is our high priest. Now we move into understanding the sanctuary that He entered as priest, and the difference between the old covenant and new covenant priesthoods. Verses 1-5 give us a brief description of the tabernacle as erected by Moses, in which Aaron was the first priest. The … Continue reading
Chapter 7 showed us extensively the difference between the different priesthoods that have been instituted and approved by God. We learned that Jesus follows after the same pattern of Melchizedek in the way that He is not of the line of Levi, but never the less, God swore on oath that Jesus was indeed a … Continue reading
Chapter 6 spoke about the surety of God’s promise He gave about Christ; “you are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek”. God swore on oath to it by 2 unchangeable things: Himself, and His Name. Now the writer helps us understand a bit more about this man Melchizedek who resembles Christ. For this Melchizedek, … Continue reading
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. – 2 Timothy 2:15 While reading is the basis of our growth in Christ, there must come a time when we begin to delve deeper into His word so we … Continue reading
5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? 7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him … Continue reading
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who … Continue reading
(That’s: to be honest, for us old fogies.) This morning as I was preparing to go for my morning bike ride I remembered a pastor that had been recommended to me for listening. I found his page, got the first video I could find ready, and set off. I knew by the title of the … Continue reading
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but … Continue reading
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able … Continue reading
Jesus is Tested in the Wilderness At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. – Mark 1:12-13 Matthew 4 Luke 4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After … Continue reading
I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: 3 “Lord, they … Continue reading
1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 For … Continue reading
“I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 … Continue reading
1. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (What is it there for?) In chapter 7 we discussed why we are now able to live apart from the law and no longer be bound to it. Because of this freedom given to us by God, those who are in … Continue reading
Waw 41 May your unfailing love come to me, Lord, your salvation, according to your promise; 42 then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word. 43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws. 44 I will always obey your law, for ever and ever. 45 I will … Continue reading
John’s Baptism & Good News Matthew 3 Mark 1 Luke 3 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing … Continue reading
He 33 Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. 34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. 35 Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. 36 Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. 37 Turn … Continue reading
Daleth 25 I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word. 26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees. 27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts, that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds. 28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to … Continue reading
