Imperfect to Perfect

 

Imperfect to Perfect

Hebrews 7: ²⁶ Jesus, then, is the High Priest that meets our needs. He is holy; he has no fault or sin in him; he has been set apart from sinners and raised above the heavens. ²⁷ He is not like other high priests; he does not need to offer sacrifices every day for his own sins first and then for the sins of the people. He offered one sacrifice, once and for all, when he offered himself. ²⁸ The Law of Moses appoints men who are imperfect to be high priests; but God's promise made with the vow, which came later than the Law, appoints the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

 

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Being the boss for the first time felt cool and scary at the same time. I relied on a few mentors to provide advice. “What do I do about this situation?” or “What do I do about that situation?” were my constant questions. An external observer approached me and said “At some point, you will have to let go of your mentor.”

 

• I was dependent on something familiar.
• I was nervous about taking on the responsibility.
• I felt better being told what to do.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, mentions JESUS meeting our needs versus human high priests. JESUS, who remained faultless, sacrificed himself. He did what imperfect high priests could not do, be perfect forever.

 

My Observations:

• I try to control GOD by following the Law, BUT GOD loves when I rely on JESUS.
• I try to be holy by following the Law, BUT GOD enjoys when I place my faith in HIM.
• I try to get close to GOD by doing what the Law says, BUT GOD is faithful and saved me through JESUS.

 

After the Law was given, JESUS died for all the sins of humans. HE fulfilled the Law to the letter. I can turn from the Law and place my faith in something perfect, namely JESUS. I mean, when I break one Law, I am guilty of breaking all of them. JESUS made a way for me to be forgiven of the statutes of the Law.

 

This does not give me freedom to sin as I please. HE loves when I use one part of the fruit of the Spirit which is “self-control.” Being able to recognize I need a Savior every day makes me hand my sinful desires over to HIM so we can have a harmonious relationship. I am glad HE is helping me not depend on the Law, and to place my faith in HIS act of love.

 

Challenge

• What problem is the writer trying to address?
• Have you ever needed to use “faith” but were reliant on a person or money or something else?
• Will you place your faith in JESUS, who “meets our needs” and loves you dearly today?

Children of the Promise

 

Children of the Promise

Romans 9: ⁶ It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. ⁷ Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” ⁸ In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. ⁹ For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”

 

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“I’m going to build a new garage” were the words we overheard. This was great news to me because I would use the old garage as my private toilet when I did not feel like stop playing, and now it started to stink.

 

The next day, I got with my siblings and we tore a good sized hole in the garage. “What are you doing?!” was the shout. “We are tearing down the garage” we replied excitedly. The garage wasn’t planned to be built for months.

 

• There have been times when I believed in the promise, but could not wait for the result.
• There have been times when I could see the promised fulfilled in my mind, so I tried to help the promise come in my timing.
• There have been times when I was part of the promise, but not in a way I expected.

 

Abraham was promised that he would be the father of a countless nation of people who would follow GOD. He decided to help GOD with this promise by having a child with a younger woman. GOD’s promise was fulfilled through Sarah, the older woman. Paul’s explained Abraham’s impatience.

 

• GOD has a plan for me and wants me to watch HIM make it unfold.
• GOD has a promise for me, but it includes many other factors I cannot see.
• GOD has a place for me and HE is busy preparing it.

 

When GOD promises something, it will happen. I mean, HE promises things that seem impossible to me, so I try to help HIM out with my efforts. BUT GOD is forgiving. HE sees my futile attempts to “help” HIM and shows me grace anyway.

 

GOD is my FATHER because I believe in JESUS who died for me and is alive making a wonderful place for me. HIS ways are not my ways, HIS thoughts are not my thoughts and HIS plans are always fulfilled. I am glad I am HIS child and I believe in HIS promises.

 

• Is your family dysfunctional?
• Have you fallen into the trap of thinking you are not valued?
• Will you stop believing the lie and know you are a child of GOD and HIS promise for you is far beyond what you could ever think?

Divine Appointment

Divine Appointment

Acts 10: ²¹ Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?”

²² And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.” ²³ Then he invited them in and lodged them.

On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

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Sitting on an airplane for the second time in my life, I looked out the window with amazement. “Do you know about JESUS?” was the strange question from the woman next to me. I was a kid traveling alone so I kept my conversation to a minimum. I don’t even know how I replied.

• There have been many times when I have met people who spoke to me about GOD.
• There have been many times when I needed to hear about GOD and someone was there at the right time and place.
• There have been many times when I was simply marveling at the beauty of creation and GOD sent someone to talk to me about HIM.

After Peter tried to understand the divine vision, some men approached him and asked that he come with them. These armed guards could normally cause alarm, BUT GOD told Peter to go without hesitance. He obeyed. Cornelius, who summoned Peter, also had a divine vision.

• GOD enjoys sending me to give HIS message.
• GOD enjoys sending me to encourage someone.
• GOD enjoys sending me to serve someone so they will believe in the ONE who sent me, namely JESUS.

“Be ready to speak about ME” is something GOD wants me to be prepared with. I mean HE wants me to see more opportunities to speak about HIM than the “right” ones. Waiting on the “right” opportunity seems to come less and less frequently. Soon I will find myself never mentioning JESUS name at all.

GOD wants me to have more divine appointments where the right person hears about JESUS at the right time in the right way. This means I need to be ready to speak about HIM at a moment’s notice. I accept GOD’s appointments top speak on HIS behalf.

• Are you hesitant about speaking about JESUS?
• When is the last time you have said “JESUS can save you” to someone versus implied words like prayer, faith and even the generic use of GOD?
• Will you get confident and speak the name of JESUS so GOD will send you to more and more people today?

GOD provides miraculous appointments

2 Kings 9: ² When you get there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go to him, get him away from his companions and take him into an inner room. ³ Then take the flask and pour the oil on his head and declare, ‘This is what the Lord says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run; don’t delay!”

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³⁰ Then Jehu went to Jezreel. When Jezebel heard about it, she put on eye makeup, arranged her hair and looked out of a window. ³¹ As Jehu entered the gate, she asked, “Have you come in peace, you Zimri, you murderer of your master?”

³² He looked up at the window and called out, “Who is on my side? Who?” Two or three eunuchs looked down at him.³³ “Throw her down!” Jehu said. So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered the wall and the horses as they trampled her underfoot.

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Another shake up at work left only a few people with enough knowledge to do the job. I was one of the candidates but my opponent was favored and they chose him. I was miserable and pouted for a while, but soon had to get over it. After a while, I got used to my position and fell in line like everyone else.

One day an abrupt announcement came through. The person had to leave the company suddenly and they asked me if I wanted the position.

• Sometimes I pout when I don’t get my way.
• Sometimes I think the situation is not in control because I am not in control of the situation.
• Sometimes I brood over another choice because I didn’t get my way.

Jezebel was feared by one of the most powerful prophets who existed, namely Elijah. BUT GOD appointed someone new to take the reins. HE has done this in my life time and time again. When I was passed over for promotion after promotion, GOD saw to it that I was taken care of in spite of the politics.

• GOD raises me up at the right time, not my time.
• GOD raises me up when HE knows I am ready, not when I think I am.
• GOD raises me up for HIS purposes so I need not be afraid.

Jehu was not afraid of Jezebel because he had purpose in his life. He knew GOD was with him and he completed his task just like GOD told him. Living a life of purpose enables me to see GOD’s miraculous appointments.

• Have you been passed over?
• Do you think someone is in the way of your success?
• Can you see that GOD can and will raise you up at HIS appointed time?
• Will you accept GOD’s training to make you stronger?