One Way

I read Hebrews 13 today....(can't wait to start James tomorrow!) In this chapter, we are exhorted to be content because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (13:5b) "So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'" (13:6) My first thought was, "um...a lot!" But later in the chapter, the author writes, " For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. " (13:14) So if we are really seeking God, and longing for the city that will endure (heaven), really...what can man do? I mean, if we're robbed, who cares? Our treasure's in heaven! If we're beaten for Christ, it's all gain! If we're mocked, falsely accused, etc., it's a blessing! If we view this life as a quick stay, not our home, and we'll be gone very soon...why worry? I think this is really the secret of contentment! In Chris...

Today I read Hebrews 3 and 4. They're primarily talking about not letting our hearts become hard towards God, and that belief and faith are key to entering God's salvation rest. I like these verses in chapter three (vs. 12-13): "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." This verse reiterates the truth that we ALL need accountability and encouragement from each other - not just on Sundays, at Bible studies, or whenever we're "feeling spiritual", but EVERY day, whether we feel like it or not! In fact, the "low" times when we don't "feel spiritual" is when we really need encouragement the most. And why do we need encouragement? So that we will not be "hardened by sin's deceitfulness." This past week I was really feeling har...

Okay, so today in my quiet time I read chapters 23 and 24 of Acts. Paul goes before the Sanhedrin, and has a great idea. He divides the Pharisees and the Sadducees by claiming that he's on trial for his belief in the resurrection of the dead. This immediately gets the two groups arguing, and the Pharisees on his side! (just in case you didn't know, the Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead and the Sadducees did not) Back in the Roman barracks, Jesus appears to Paul, and finally tells Paul the big plan -- "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome." (Acts 23:11b) A group of Jews make an oath that they will not eat or drink until they have killed Paul, but Paul's nephew gets wind of the scheme, warns Paul and the Centurion Claudius Lysias, and Claudius sends Paul to Governor Felix in Caesarea. I always wish that Luke would've said what happened to the forty men who took that oath! Because two y...