Effective Forever

 

Effective Forever

Hebrews 10: ¹¹ Every Jewish priest performs his services every day and offers the same sacrifices many times; but these sacrifices can never take away sins. ¹² Christ, however, offered one sacrifice for sins, an offering that is effective forever, and then he sat down at the right side of God. ¹³ There he now waits until God puts his enemies as a footstool under his feet. ¹⁴ With one sacrifice, then, he has made perfect forever those who are purified from sin.

 

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Rummaging through my parents garage, I found the perfect piece of wood to “repair” the seat of my car that would no longer stay upright. I figured I could shove this piece of wood in-between the upper and lower parts of the seat to keep the passenger from falling backwards. It worked! That is, until I hit a bump.

 

• My solution was temporary.
• My solution worked under certain conditions.
• My solution was not really a solution.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, spoke about the futility of the services of the priests. They would perform sacrifices that were symbolic and could never truly remove sins. People depended on this ritual with their lives, but it was ineffective.

 

My Observations:

• What JESUS did was effective forever.
• JESUS repaired the relationship between humans and GOD forever.
• GOD will one day put the enemy of sin under JESUS feet where it will do me no harm forever.

 

Satan’s pride of trying to be GOD caused major problems. I mean, he tried to tempt the first humans, Adam and Eve, into sinning. He enraged the Living GOD to the point where the earth was cursed and humans would struggle through life. BUT JESUS volunteered to do something about it.

 

HE sacrificed HIMSELF as the permanent solution. Sin no longer has the same effect of ripping me away from GOD forever. JESUS made it so I could be forgiven for my sins and to have a perfect loving relationship with HIM forever. I am glad JESUS’ solution was powerful enough to save me forever.

 

Challenge

• Can you sense the futility from the writer?
• Have you tried to please GOD by following the rules harder?
• Do you think GOD is harsh, mean and stubborn?
• Will you ask GOD to renew your mind and look at HIM in a different, caring and loving way today?

Not Futile

Luke 23: ⁵⁰ Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, ⁵¹ who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. ⁵² Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. ⁵³ Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. ⁵⁴ It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.

⁵⁵ The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. ⁵⁶ Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

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Watching the last leaf fall off, I wondered if I needed to throw the plant away. I mean it seemed to be struggling and then it was gone. Somehow I felt I needed to keep the plant, so I replanted it. Weeks later, new leaves were growing.

• There are times when I think my efforts are futile.
• There are times when I try hard and don’t seem to get anywhere.
• There are times when it does not seem to be an end to obstacles.

A church leader names Joseph did not agree with the other church leaders when it came to killing JESUS. He sought the Kingdom of GOD and was deeply moved when JESUS was murdered. He had to do something, however little. He gave JESUS a burial not knowing what would happen.

• GOD says to me “Your efforts are not futile when you do them in MY name.”
• GOD says to me “MY word does not return void.”
• GOD says to me “Keep your faith for perseverance will make it whole.”

Persistence is what GOD likes. HE wants me to continue believing in HIS power especially when it seems like everything is falling apart. Even death could not stop JESUS, so the problems I face should not stop me from telling people about HIM. GOD wants me to keep going and know my efforts are not futile.

• Do you feel exhausted?
• Have you experienced a loss and are tired?
• Can you allow GOD to lift you up so you can continue to speak for HIM, knowing your efforts are blessed?

Leaders are patient

Numbers 20: ⁷ The Lord spoke to Moses. He said, ⁸ “Get your wooden staff. You and your brother Aaron gather the people together. Then speak to that rock while everyone is watching. It will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community. Then they and their livestock can drink it.”

⁹ So Moses took the wooden staff from the tent. He did just as the Lord had commanded him. ¹⁰ He and Aaron gathered the people together in front of the rock. Moses said to them, “Listen, you who refuse to obey! Do we have to bring water out of this rock for you?”

¹¹ Then Moses raised his arm. He hit the rock twice with his staff. Water poured out. And the people and their livestock drank it.

¹² But the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron. He said, “You did not trust in me enough to honor me. You did not honor me as the holy God in front of the people of Israel. So you will not bring this community into the land I am giving them.”

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Sitting in church was no longer enough for me. Something stirred inside me and made me want to do more. I could sense it clearly and was led to teach.  This was a great and scary revelation.  I had never taught before but accepted the challenge.

My fears got the best of me as thoughts raced through my mind. “What if they won’t listen?” “What if I’m boring?” “What if I don’t know any answers?” In my usual planning way I thought up some “exciting” ideas.  I will come up with a few gimmicks to keep everyone awake, this way they will hear.  My lesson failed miserably because people got distracted by my gimmick!

• I must face the reality that GOD doesn’t need my help but loves when I do.
• I must face the reality that GOD’s methods are strange to me but they always work.
• I must face the reality that GOD’s message does not go out “void” rather every word spoken is fruitful and for HIM.

Sometimes I really can’t believe GOD’s plan for me.  I mean some of the things HE has me do seem futile.  Shouldn’t I fill a stadium and have thousands of people clamoring over CHRIST? Not right now. GOD has me right where HE needs me. It may be only one person I need to speak to in my entire life.  I just need to be ready and obedient to HIS ways.

• Do you think GOD’s plan for you is wrong right now?
• Do you feel like HE has you doing futile work?
• Can you remain obedient and speak about HIM to someone today?