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There Is a Manual for Life!
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MEETING REAL LIFE ISSUES
Warnings Against Going Back!
ICEA – “Church at Study”
There are two great themes in the book of Hebrews. The one and greatest theme is Jesus is far superior than any man, created being, or Old Testament system. The second theme is less known and deals with the dangers of the writer’s readers returning to their former lifestyles. It seems they desired to be enslaved again in futile practices of religion and not worship Christ. He also sets forth many strong warnings about some readers not continuing to follow Christ the way they did before.
Let’s pull out key scriptures found in this great book and explore the writer’s secondary intent given to the readers of the book of Hebrews. Here are a number of scriptures in Hebrews that show the seriousness of anyone who desires to return to their former lifestyle apart from Jesus being central.
HERE ARE THE WRITERS CONSTANT WARNINGS:
Heb. 2:1 We aught to give…heed…lest…we should let them slip
2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation
3:6 If we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
3:7 Today, if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts…when your fathers tempted me
3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God
3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end
4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it
4:11 Let us labor…to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief
4:14 Let us hold fast our profession
5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again….
6:1 Leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection
6:8-9 That which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. But, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation
6:11-12 We desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: that you be not slothful…
10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering
10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together
10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward
10:38 Now…the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition…
12:1 Wherefore, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us…
12:3 Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
12:12 Lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees
12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven.
Bible Verses to Read When You Can’t Sleep
Reading and believing God’s word can give you great rest!
Quote these verses the next time you feel restless.
I LAID ME DOWN AND SLEPT; I awaked
for the LORD sustained me.
(Psalm 3:5)
It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the
bread of sorrows: FOR HE GIVETH HIS BELOVED SLEEP.
(Psalm 127:2)
REST IN THE LORD and wait patiently for him: fret not
thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because
of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
(Psalm 37:7)
I WILL BOTH LAY ME DOWN IN PEACE, AND SLEEP: for
thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
(Psalm 4:8)
Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain
that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the
watchman waketh but in vain.
(Psalm 127:1)
HE MAKETH ME TO LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
(Psalm 23:2)
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer they foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. BEHOLD, HE THAT KEEPETH ISRAEL SHALL NEITHER SLUMBER NOR SLEEP.
(Psalm 121:1-4)
When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, THOU SHALT LIE DOWN AND THEY SLEEP SHALL BE SWEET. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep
they foot from being taken.
(Prov. 3:24-26)
THE SLEEP OF A LABOURING MAN IS SWEET, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
(Ecclesiastes 5:12)
Thus saith the LORD, stand ye in the ways, and see, and
ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk
therein, and YE SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.
(Jeremiah 6:16)
Delight!
Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will
give you the desire of your heart.
(Ps. 37:4)
The heart — being the depths of our mind and thoughts — can be a unique and personally emotional place. The bible tells us that the heart has its issues and who really knows it (Jer. 17:9). Proverbs 14:10 reads: “The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares in its joy.” Many of us have attempted to share our past experiences with others. We sensed they were not fully able to grasp our account of the moment we were trying to convey. No one can really share in the feelings of another’s deep and personal experiences. The word vicarious is no doubt a word that comes close to experiencing what others have experienced, but very few know the seat and aspirations of the hearts of others. It is true that some have the skill to probe human hearts, but only do so — not really knowing exactly what will surface (Prov. 20:5; I Cor. 14:24-25).
Only God fully knows the heart — this personal and secluded place! He knows what we long for and what really is our heart’s desire! What each person longs for is just as unique as who we are and as complicated as our hearts. God has the option and ability to answer the desire (or longings) of the heart. He has given us two clear methods of receiving from Him. One method we are familiar with and that is simply asking Him. He will give good gifts to those who ask Him (Matt. 7:11). The second method seems not as well travelled. That method is to DELIGHT one’s self in what God has an interest in. If we delight ourselves in Him, we can see our families begin to come together. If we give time for personal and systematic Bible study, He will turn His favor toward us and begin to work on our behalf. If we make time for Him, He will bless our endeavors. If we will give to the community and volunteer (as unto the Lord – Col. 3:23), we will look around and realize God has answered our prayers and given us the desires of our hearts! Mountains will be moved, relationships will be mended, business matters will materialize, and we will rejoice that God has done all things well!
God’s watching to see what you and I will do. What we take an interest in will determine the outcome of the blessings from God! Will you accept the challenge to delight yourself in the Lord so that He may give you the desires of your heart? Do it and watch God move!
A Lesson On “Recovering From Shame”
ICEA – “Church at Study”
I Timothy 3:6-7 reads:
And not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
These are the Apostle Paul’s words to Timothy concerning qualifications for ordaining Bishops in the church. Similar qualifications trickle down to other church leaders, as well. The church needs leaders who are above reproach, but the devil, our adversary, constantly seeks to discredit the reputation of those who shepherd and lead God’s people. Likewise…everyone who serves God should strive to have a good reputation. Why? Because everyone is subject to disgrace and coming under the trap of the devil. We see the first account in Genesis 3:9-10. God asks Adam, “where are you?” Many people know the context surrounding Genesis, chapter 3. Both Adam and Eve have transgressed God’s commandment. So…In answer to God’s question, Adam says, “I was AFRAID…I was NAKED…and I HID MYSELF!” Imagine a man who had uninterrupted fellowship with God — How blessed he and Eve must have been! Now Adam and Eve are faced with intense feelings they had never experienced before. These feelings are so intense that the ones who once enjoyed God’s fellowship are trying to flee from His presence. Oh the shame they must have felt! Thank God, there is a remedy for our shame! Jesus Christ has experienced the separation and rejection that is the result of sin (Heb. 12:2) and He knows shame first-hand. According to the scriptures: “He who knew no sin has become sin for us!” This may be hard to explain, but simply stated: He knows our deepest feelings of rejection! The shame of our past can absolutely cripple our efforts in going forward. Millions have experienced shame and guilt and are in such vulnerable conditions today. Isaiah, chapter 42:3 reads (with the focus being on vs. 3): “Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations. 2 “He will not cry out or raise His voice, Nor make His voice heard in the street. 3 “A bruised reed He will not break and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.
Our Lord has nurtured even the most fragile out of the millions who have faith and believe in Him. From the most exposed plant stem to the smallest flickering fire, Jesus will restore bruised things back to health, and cause the flicker to burst into flames!
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