Awarded Honor

 

Awarded Honor

Hebrews 5: ⁵ In the same way, Christ did not take upon himself the honor of being a high priest. Instead, God said to him,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father.”
⁶ He also said in another place,
“You will be a priest forever,
    in the priestly order of Melchizedek.”

 

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“You need to brand yourself to be noticed” was the advice given to me. In the middle of all the noise, people were trying to teach me how to “manage upward” and to “self-promote” to get noticed by the higher ups so I could be pulled up to their level.

 

• I wanted to be noticed.
• I wanted to be promoted.
• I wanted to gain power.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, spoke about the humility of JESUS. Infinite power and the highest title was not the goal of JESUS, rather HE took the lowest form and served humanity. GOD awarded HIM with the “honor” anyway.

 

My Observations

• GOD said “the first will be last and the last will be first.
• Sometimes when I think “I” should be elevated I really should take a step back and focus on serving.
• Serving others give me the leadership style GOD wants me to have.

 

Titles, power and fame are holes I can fall into easily. I mean, I can seek “likes” on social media, or a title in a company or business and be recognized by the world as being “successful.” BUT GOD sees success in a different way.

 

JESUS gave the best example of being successful. HE died for the sins of mankind even though HE was innocent and did not sin. HE then served humanity by sending the HOLY SPIRIT to comfort us, instead of scolding us. HE went away to build a permanent place for us even though we don’t deserve it. I am glad HE did all of this with love for me and you in mind.

 

Challenge

• What honor is the writer speaking about?
• Have you ever wanted to be noticed or elevated to a higher status?
• Will you seek that GOD wants for you and not worry about what people think about you or the title you have?

Fearless

Fearless

Galatians 3: ¹⁹ What, then, was the purpose of the Law? It was added in order to show what wrongdoing is, and it was meant to last until the coming of Abraham's descendant, to whom the promise was made. The Law was handed down by angels, with a man acting as a go-between. ²⁰ But a go-between is not needed when only one person is involved; and God is one.

 

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Fearing the answer would be “No” I asked a sibling to “Ask mom and dad to let me go to the party.” “No way!” was the quick reply, not wanting to get caught up in the possible conflict. I tried this approach with difficult teachers, seeking the teacher’s pet as my advocate. I then tried the approach on jobs, wanting someone else to be the “go-between.”

 

• I feared I would get the words wrong.
• I needed an excuse, so if things did not go well for me I could blame the “go-between.”
• I was acting immature and wanted someone else to speak on my behalf so “I” could get what I wanted.

 

Paul continues to speak to those who believe the Law could save them. He explained that it was put in place temporarily until CHRIST became a human to fulfill GOD’s promise. Only the high priest could speak to GOD and a sacrifice was needed to atone for sin. This was no longer needed.

 

My Observations

• When JESUS rose from the dead after being murdered, I was able to go directly to the FATHR and ask for forgiveness.
• When JESUS became the sacrifice for all my sins, I no longer needed to ask someone else to speak to GOD on my behalf.
• When JESUS ascended to Heaven, HE sent the COMFORTER to live inside me and now I have the HOLY SPIRIT as my advocate.

 

Fear makes me want to follow “The Law.” I mean, when I want my way, I follow “The Law” harder, hoping that GOD would see how “good” I am acting. BUT GOD sees through this temporary activity. HE sees my heart and knows I would leave HIM as soon as I get my way.

 

GOD wanted something permanent. JESUS volunteered to become the blame for my sins. I no longer have to fear if I upset GOD in some sinful way, because the answer is “Yes!” But that’s not all to the answer. HE also says “But I forgive you because you believe in MY SON.” I am glad I can walk without fear that GOD has left me, because JESUS loves me daily.

 

Challenge

• What is the writer trying to say about a “go-between?”
• Have you ever felt insecure so you wanted someone else to speak on your behalf?
• Will you get over your fears by confessing your sins directly to GOD by believing you need a Savior, namely JESUS who will give you the HOLY SPIRIT as your advocate today?

Just Walk Away

 

Just Walk Away

Romans 6: What shall we say, then? Should we continue to live in sin so that God's grace will increase? ² Certainly not! We have died to sin—how then can we go on living in it? ³ For surely you know that when we were baptized into union with Christ Jesus, we were baptized into union with his death. ⁴ By our baptism, then, we were buried with him and shared his death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from death by the glorious power of the Father, so also we might live a new life.

 

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“Okay Lord, I will follow YOUR ways” I said. I finally meant it this time. After a long time, my life had changed. I was seeing people as I had never seen them before. I saw the hurt and those in need.

 

My life was making a difference. But a “friend” popped up and asked if I wanted to “hit the clubs?” He needed a “wingman” so he could find some to have sex with a willing lady. I did miss the lifestyle. “Maybe this one time.” I thought. It made me want to stop following GOD’s ways.

 

• There have been many times when I wanted to “take a break” from GOD.
• There have been many times when I wanted to “go on vacation” from GOD.
• There have been many times when I wanted to “do a little sin” because a little won’t hurt me, right? Wrong!

 

Paul explains a dilemma that believers in CHRIST face. If I am saved from “all” my sins, then should I keep sinning? Paul explains that we have died to our sins when we believe in CHRIST. Paul then explains that our baptism was a display to show we agree with JESUS’ death and resurrection.

 

• GOD wants me to put “that” sin to death little by little.
• GOD wants me to stop doing “that” sin right now.
• GOD wants me to remove “that” sin as an option.

 

Choosing to follow GOD publicly seems easy, but for those who sin like me, it is a hard choice. I mean, telling everyone I belong to JESUS, but secretly looking at porn didn’t cut it with GOD. I had to put it to death. HE sees “all” sin, small and large. GOD wants me to put the sin to death by focusing in on HIS glorious power. I am glad JESUS gave me a new life of purpose.

 

• Are you struggling with giving up a particular sin?
• Are you focusing on the sin too much?
• Will you forgive yourself by knowing JESUS has forgiven you so you can focus on the purpose HE has for you?
• Will you ask GOD to help you just walk away from certain people who drag you back into the old life today?

Provided For

 Provided For

Romans 3: ^25-26 God offered him, so that by his blood he should become the means by which people's sins are forgiven through their faith in him. God did this in order to demonstrate that he is righteous. In the past he was patient and overlooked people's sins; but in the present time he deals with their sins, in order to demonstrate his righteousness. In this way God shows that he himself is righteous and that he puts right everyone who believes in Jesus.

 

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“How will I eat?” and “Where will I sleep?” and “Will it be cold or hot?” and “Bugs… Will there be bugs?” were some of the many questions I asked as I volunteered to go on a missions trip to another country. The missions trip leader relaxed my mind by saying “Don’t worry, everything is taken care of.” This rested my mind a little, but the unknown was still ahead.

 

The unknown can sometimes raise many questions inside me.

The unknown can sometimes make me feel uneasy.

The unknown can sometimes make me question if I will be taken care of.

 

Paul continues writing about the Law of Moses. The Law was given to the Jews but the Gentiles benefit from it because GOD wrote the Law in everyone’s heart. The Law is used to show our need for GOD to save us. But doing the Law does not provide salvation. GOD provided “the means” for which we are saved, namely belief in JESUS.

 

GOD knew I would not choose HIM so HE chose me.

GOD knew I needed to be saved so HE chose to die for me.

GOD knew someone had to die to pay for all the sins of the world so HE chose to die so I could live.

 

Trying to be “good” is fine, but what happens when I mess up? Do I get a “do-over?” GOD showed compassion for me and forgave me of all my sins. HE then sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me so I can be guided daily. HE also wants the best for me, so HE corrects me when I sin. I am glad HE is righteous and I accept HIS correction and eternal salvation.

 

Are you worried about your future?

Do you think your skills or talents got you where you are?

Will you place your faith in JESUS and allow HIM to correct you while providing you with everything you need to fulfil the purpose HE has for you today?

Arrival

John 1: ²⁹ The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰ This is the one I meant when I said, “A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.” ³¹ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptising with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.’

³² Then John gave this testimony: ‘I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. ³³ And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptise with water told me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptise with the Holy Spirit.” ³⁴ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.’

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After spending hours in an airport, my hopes of getting home that night were waning. It seemed like everything was going wrong that day and rain did not make it any better. Suddenly I heard these words “The flight has arrived.” Everyone, including myself, was filled with joy.

• Something as little as a flight arriving filled me with joy.
• Something as trivial as getting home hours earlier made me delighted.
• Something as small as a plane pulling up to a gate at an airport made my day much better.

John told everyone that the problem of sin was cured by JESUS. “The Messiah had arrived” John told everyone. John came to baptize, BUT JESUS cam to same with the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.

• JESUS wants me to tell HIS story.
• JESUS wants me to let people know that salvation has arrived and they can now be filled with joy.
• JESUS wants me to express to others that HE is GOD’s Chosen ONE, who already has the victory over all my sin.

What a relief it is to have a few things go “my” way. It should be even more of a relief when eternity is paved for me. GOD enables me to live with HIM and wants me to tell others about this great news!

• What little thing has brought you great joy?
• Have you forgotten where joy comes from?
• Will you reflect on what GOD has done and is doing in your life today?