Contented Faith

Contented Faith

Hebrews 13: ⁵ Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.” ⁶ Let us be bold, then, and say,

 

“The Lord is my helper,
    I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?”

 

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After assessing my “needs” I got frustrated and nervous. My car was approaching 300,000 miles and I still had bills. A position at work came with a car. I fixated my thinking on this position as my way out. I did not get the position at first so I complained to GOD.

 

• I looked at “everything” as being a mess.
• I was exhausted trying to keep up with expenses.
• I was not content with where I was with anything.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, gives some extremely sound advice. He probably saw how society focused on the latest thing, causing people to have an insatiable desire for more and more. Discontent over food, living arrangements, clothes and amounts of money needed to be addressed. He said “be satisfied.”

 

My Observations:

• Discontentment makes me deaf to GOD, but when I am content, HE speaks softly to me.
• Thanklessness makes me look at my stuff as old, worn out and embarrassing, but when I am thankful, GOD provides what I need at the right time.
• Unhappiness makes me see GOD as the problem, but when I seek joy over happiness, I see problems differently and know I need GOD to fight my battles with the enemy.

 

Satisfaction can be a fleeting thing. I mean, the world presents satisfaction as receiving pleasure over seeking GOD’s kingdom. Each moment needs to be compared to someone else’s life with visual proof that life is great, when it isn’t. GOD has a remedy for this quandary.

 

Contentment, thankfulness and joy opens my eyes to a special part of GOD that is beyond salvation. Yes, JESUS died for my sins and I am eternally saved, but what about this life? GOD knows there will be trouble and wants me to use contentment, thankfulness and joy as weapons against the enemy’s attempt to rob my great relationship with GOD. I am satisfied with where, what and who I am in GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer mention abandonment when it comes to money?
• Have you ever thought GOD was not with you because of your lack of funds or things or people were not acting like you wanted them to?
• Will you use contentment, thankfulness and joy as weapons against the enemy’s attack on you so you can be satisfied wherever GOD sends you today?

No Halfsies

No Halfsies

Hebrews 13: ⁴ Marriage is to be honored by all, and husbands and wives must be faithful to each other. God will judge those who are immoral and those who commit adultery.

 

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After the convention, we all danced in relief. I remained sober, unlike my counterparts. A drunken stranger approached me on the dancefloor provocatively. The thought crossed my mind to reciprocate. A coworker called me over to the side and suggested we leave the party.

 

• I was tempted.
• I was glad I had someone there to keep me from doing what I was thinking.
• I did not think “people” would know, but GOD would.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, spoke about marriage from GOD’s perspective. He emphasized morality and commitment regarding marriage. He gave a stern warning that while other people may not know, GOD will know.

 

My Observations:

• There is something special to GOD regarding purity and commitment.
• GOD wants me to consider the consequences of my actions.
• It is not up to me to judge people, rather GOD will judge.

 

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD” is a state in which all humans suffer. I mean, I am born into sin and deserve eternal separation from GOD. JESUS died to same me from eternal separation. Now that I believe, I am eternally saved. But what about the sins I commit?

 

GOD will not remember my sins, but HE did not say my current sins will not have consequences. GOD corrects those who are HIS. HE does not spare the rod on any of HIS children. HIS expectation is that I live my life as best I can, knowing sometimes I may make mistakes. I am glad GOD gives me boundaries.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer mention “immorality” and “adultery” as two separate but similar items?
• Have you ever been tempted to do something you know was wrong?
• Will you consider placing your actions under GOD’s authority today?

People Reminder

 

People Reminder

Hebrews 13: Keep on loving one another as Christians. ² Remember to welcome strangers in your homes. There were some who did that and welcomed angels without knowing it. ³ Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them. Remember those who are suffering, as though you were suffering as they are.

 

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“Remember where you came from” was a suggestion given to me from a person who left his neighborhood in pursuit of “success.” I was trying to escape the neighborhood I grew up in, never to look back. But after a number of years, I looked at my old neighborhood with a different view.

 

• I cared only about myself when I left.
• I could not wait to leave and not help anyone else.
• I could not understand why it was important to help those who never once thought about me or helped me.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, gives some great advice. He mentions how to treat people. He may have given this advice to help people remember those who are in need.

 

My Observations:

• It is easy for me to forget that I was placed here for other people.
• It is easy for me to forget that other people have needs beyond mine.
• It is easy for me to forget that perhaps GOD may want me to serve others, even when it is inconvenient.

 

Helping people is sometimes hard. I mean, people need help when I need help. They may even need the same resources I need and desire. GOD loves when I remember to serve people and HE provides something extra when I am willing to serve strangers. HE may test my resolve of helping others by sending an angel I am not aware of.

 

This selfless act may translate to the angel reporting back to GOD what has been done. Not that GOD does not know anyway. Each selfless act turns into a reward in heaven that cannot be stolen and will never tarnish. I am glad HE gives me people to remember.

 

Challenge

• Do you hear empathy from the writer?
• Do you like being remembered or recognized by people?
• Will you remember to serve strangers, shut in, prisoners and people who are suffering today?

Reverence and Awe

Reverence and Awe

Hebrews 12: ²⁸ Let us be thankful, then, because we receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Let us be grateful and worship God in a way that will please him, with reverence and awe; ²⁹ because our God is indeed a destroying fire.

 

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Hearing the eloquent words pour out of the speaker’s mouth, I was engaged. I could not get enough of this particular speaker. I purchased recordings and distributed them to as many people as possible.

 

• I was enamored.
• I admired every word of the speaker.
• I took action to tell others about the speaker.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, provides the a very different view of GOD that is quite disturbing. He says GOD is a “Consuming fire” or in this version a “Destroying fire.” Because of this, we need to worship HIM in reverence and awe.

 

My Observations:

• GOD is all seeing, all knowing and all-powerful.
• GOD is everywhere and I cannot escape HIM.
• GOD’s power should be revered and not taken lightly by me.

 

I should be a fan of GOD. I mean, I should like HIS style, HIS power and HIS timing. Unfortunately, I don’t like HIS style, the way HE uses HIS power or HIS timing. I easily get upset at GOD when HE doesn’t deliver me when and how I expect. Fortunately for me, HE is patient.

 

GOD deserves reverence and awe from me. HE can do anything, anytime and anywhere. By believing in JESUS, I have access to the Most High GOD. HE loves when I pray and rely on HIS power. I gladly surrender to HIM.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer mean by calling GOD a “Destroying” or “Consuming” fire?
• Have you ever seen something so powerful that it memorized everyone?
• Will you look at GOD as the all-powerful being HE is and align your reverence to HIM today?

Not Shaken

 

Not Shaken

Hebrews 12: ²⁵ Be careful, then, and do not refuse to hear him who speaks. Those who refused to hear the one who gave the divine message on earth did not escape. How much less shall we escape, then, if we turn away from the one who speaks from heaven! ²⁶ His voice shook the earth at that time, but now he has promised, “I will once more shake not only the earth but heaven as well.” ²⁷ The words “once more” plainly show that the created things will be shaken and removed, so that the things that cannot be shaken will remain.

 

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Over the course of years, I had amassed a a great selection of music. I had “taped” music from the “radio” and other places. It brought me joy to play my music loudly driving down the street. One day I walked out and noticed my window was broken out. All my tapes were stolen!

 

• I felt shaken.
• I felt a tremendous loss because each song was calculated in a specific order.
• I felt my car had lost its value because of a broken window.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, warns people to listen to promises of GOD. He compares the message from heaven as being greater than the message of humans. One promise mentioned is that GOD will shake all of creation and human made things will be removed.

 

My Observations:

• I may lose my stuff, BUT GOD promises to always be with me.
• I may have stuff broken into BUT GOD has a place where no thief can reside.
• I may wear out my clothes own things that rust and live in a place that contracts mold, BUT GOD’s love will always remain in my heart.

 

GOD cannot be stolen. I mean, some people have tried to make GOD in his or her image to get people to bow down to them so they can get more stuff. GOD sees this and tears down every kingdom that is not HIS. HE then fortifies HIS kingdom to protect it from anything that can harm it.

 

His primary message is to love HIS SON JESUS with all our hearts and minds. HE then says love one another. This love cannot be stolen or shaken when tough times arise. I am grateful GOD holds onto me even when I feel like letting go.

 

Challenge

• What is the writer talking about when mentioning “things that cannot be shaken?”
• Have you ever experienced a loss of something material but you came out of it alive?
• Will you focus on growing GOD’s kingdom and listen to HIS words of urgency regarding the return of JESUS?

Placed on a Better Mountain

Placed on a Better Mountain

Hebrews 12: ²² Instead, you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, with its thousands of angels. ²³ You have come to the joyful gathering of God's first-born, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, who is the judge of all people, and to the spirits of good people made perfect. ²⁴ You have come to Jesus, who arranged the new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that promises much better things than does the blood of Abel.

 

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“Wow! This is so much better” I said to myself. For a long, long time, I fretted over a high paying job that gave me a title. When I no longer had that position, I felt bad about “myself” because I placed all my identity in the level “I” achieved. But when I let go of titles and salary, I found something I had lost years back… “me.!”

 

• I thought the old way was the best way.
• I could not see anything better because I was stuck
• I found myself and then I could see who GOD wanted me to be.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, switched over to a different mountain, namely Mount Zion. While the reader could get caught up looking at mountains, the writer emphasizes a new covenant where people are made perfect. This is a “better” mountain.

 

My Observations:

• I can try to manipulate GOD by following the law, BUT GOD responds to when I surrender my life to JESUS.
• I can feel bad about when I broke GOD’s Law by sinning, BUT GOD wants me to know I am forgiven because of the death, burial and resurrection of JESUS.
• I can be scared of GOD and frightened over HIS punishment, BUT JESUS was raised from the dead and sent the HOLY SPIRIT to comfort me in times of trouble.

 

I don’t know a better place until I see it. I mean, I may be in a bad place, thinking I have to stay there. Abuse, and misuse are accepted as I think I am doing the right thing by staying in the fire of achievement towards fame and fortune. BUT GOD wants me to have a better life.

 

When I identify with HIM, I become a new person. My new identity is far better than any title or wealth status I think I have reached. GOD gets excited when I point people to HIS SON. HE then tells me “Well done” and places me on HIS mountain, above the problem-filled world. I am glad GOD raises me up to do HIS good and perfect will.

 

Challenge

• What encouragement does the writer provide?
• Have you ever gotten stuck on “the rules” and notice your life is still falling apart?
• Will you seek the grace of JESUS and ask GOD to open your eyes to what HE is doing versus what you think you and others have to do, so you can accept how much HE loves you today?

Presence

Presence

Hebrews 12: ¹⁸ You have not come, as the people of Israel came, to what you can feel, to Mount Sinai with its blazing fire, the darkness and the gloom, the storm, ¹⁹ the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of a voice. When the people heard the voice, they begged not to hear another word, ²⁰ because they could not bear the order which said, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” ²¹ The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling and afraid!”

 

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Music blared with a fast pace. Suddenly fireworks sizzled on stage. Then the speaker came out and delivered a riveting speech. “Wow!” I said to myself. At that point, I wanted to be like the speaker and started thinking of ways to mimic the style.

 

• I was impressed by the speaker’s presence.
• I was enamored by the fanfare.
• I got caught up in the show.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, attempted to explain the reaction of the Israelites when they were at mount Sinai.. They experienced the presence of GOD and were terrified! HIS holiness would not allow even a stray animal to touch the mountain.

 

My Observations:

• GOD’s presences is awesome and terrifying.
• GOD is absolutely holy and cannot have sin in HIS presence.
• JESUS washed away all my sins, which allows me into GOD’s presence.

 

Being centuries removed from the encounter Moses had with GOD makes me take it lightly. I mean, GOD terrified those who saw what HE did to the mountain, yet I am not terrified to take HIM to my sinful places. HE placed the HOLY SPIRIT, who also cannot stand sin, inside me.

 

GOD sees all, hears all and knows all I do. I should be terrified!. Fortunately for me, GOD understands and provides sufficient grace. HE withholds HIS wrath and provides for me every day. I am so glad GOD’s presence with me is gentle and forgiving, but I will someday see HIS true glory which is unimaginable.

 

Challenge

• What part of the writer’s illustration sticks out to you?
• Have you ever been impressed by someone with “presence?”
• Will you reflect on the power of GOD and imagine HIS presence, and make changes to how you approach today?