​Week 11, Day 1
March 14, 2022
Scripture: Hebrews 7
 
 
“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.” (Hebrews 7:25–27)
 
 
Jesus is the perfect and complete sacrifice.
 
We can approach the throne of his grace with confidence because of this sacrifice. We can also approach it with confidence because Jesus is our sympathetic and understanding priest. He is always there, ready to intercede.
 
As Christians, we are comforted in knowing that the sacrificial system used to approach God and wash away sins, is complete in Christ. We come to Him, forgiven and cleansed. 
 
So approach God with confidence in Christ. Come to him for reconciliation, hope and renewal.
 
Christ is there, he knows your needs.
 
Turn to God for forgiveness and completeness.

​Week 10, Day 5
March 11, 2022
Scripture: Hebrews 6
 
Have you ever had a bit of anxiety over this passage:
 
“It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.” (Hebrews 6:4–6)
 
It has perplexed and troubled readers of Hebrews for a very long time. There is no shortage of interpretations. I humbly offer the simplest and easiest explanation of what the Hebrews Preacher is addressing.
 
If you turn your back on Jesus, if you turn from him in faith – then there isn’t another way to a life with God. Jesus is the only way.
 
So if you reject the only way, well then, there isn’t any hope.
 
So don’t reject Jesus! 
 
This makes sense of the rest of the book. There is a repetitious call to cling to Christ, to know that he is better, and walk with God. We throw off all the sin that so easily entangles us, and run with Jesus.
 
As this passage troubles us early, later we are reminded that Jesus is our anchor. He holds us firm. We remember the great promise that Jesus doesn’t let anyone pluck us from his hand.
 
We are his.
 
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,” (Hebrews 6:19)
 
 
Jesus is there. Pleading, leading, caring for us. Trust in Him.
 
There is nowhere else to turn.

​Week 10, Day 4
March 10, 2022
Scripture: Hebrews 5
 
“Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 5:8–10)
 
Jesus became the source of eternal salvation.
 
Jesus is the Great High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.
 
These two ideas will shape what is to come in the rest of the letter. Namely, we can know that Jesus is the one we turn to for our salvation. It is eternal. There is no one else, and nowhere else to go for our deliverance from sin and death. The Preacher will drive this point home, there is no one else under heaven whereby we can be saved. Jesus is the Son, and the source of eternal life.
 
And Jesus is the one we turn to in our present need. He is the one through him we have life and seek restored life. He tends to our souls, restore our relationship with God and gives us comfort in our time of need. He is our great priest.
 
Let us turn to God in prayer today.

​Week 10, Day 3
March 9, 2022
Scripture: Hebrews 4
 
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for those who enter God’s rest also rest from their own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.” (Hebrews 4:9–11)
 
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14–16)
 
Rest. Grace. Understanding. Empathy.
 
Our world needs all of this, desperately.
 
It’s available in Jesus Christ.
 
Come to him, all who are weary, and he gives you rest.
Approach God with confidence, so that you may receive mercy and find grace to help in your time of need.
 
God is there. Turn to him. He loves you and is offering race, mercy and rest. 
 
 

​Week 10, Day 2
March 8, 2022
Scripture: Hebrews 3
 
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold firmly till the end our original conviction. As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt?” (Hebrews 3:13–16, TNIV) 
 
 
The Hebrews preacher is revealing the purpose of his writing. People are rebelling against God. Just like the days of the Exodus concerning the rebellion of the Israelites, there are those who are turning from God now as well. At the heart of his message is encouragement. “We have come to share in Christ. Hold on to him!” 
 
As we explore the book of Hebrews, it is important that we are encouraged in our faith as well. The book is a call to turn to Christ and remember that we share our life in Him. He has set our lives free from sin and death. He is the great priest, and great sacrifice.
 
All throughout the book we will hear why Jesus is better and worthy of our lives. 
 
It is my hope, for my own life, and yours, that we would not harden our hearts but that we would open our hearts to God. Take time to pray today. Open your heart to God. Spend time in His Word.
 
Two Parables of Jesus come to mind when I read this text: 1) The Parable of the Sower: Do I have ears to hear and 2) The Parable of the Prodigal Son: Do I know of my Father’s love for me?
 
Do not harden your heart to God. He’s there, ready to listen and share with you today.

​Week 10, Day 1
March 7, 2022
Scripture: Hebrews 2
 
“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:18)
 
In yesterday’s sermon I shared that we need to have a Gospel that is big enough to handle the struggles of the world. What I mean by that is simply that there are extremely difficult problems that face the world, and we need a Gospel that matches it. Sometimes we settle for a lesser gospel.
 
Whether Peter realized it at the time or not, he was choosing a lesser gospel when he stood in the way of Jesus suffering. He tells Jesus in Matthew 16 that he will never let it happen, never let Jesus suffer. 
 
Jesus says to him that it is not only going to happen, but that it is also necessary.
 
Because Jesus suffered and died at the cross and rose from the dead, we have a greater gospel. We have a leader who can and does bear the burdens and sufferings of the world and deliver us from them.
 
Jesus can empathize with us, he understands our difficulties. We have a Savior who knows our needs and can deliver us from sin and death.
 
Believe in a greater Gospel, one that claims Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
 
There is a Gospel that can truly help us. This is truly, Good News for a world filled with brokenness and death. Jesus understands, and he sets us free.
 
Jordan

Week 9, Day 5
March 4, 2022
Scripture: Hebrews 1
 
“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.” (Hebrews 1:1–4)
 
We will be in the book of Hebrews for a couple of weeks. It’s one of my favorites and I look forward to sharing encouragements from the text. There is a lot we don’t know about Hebrews. We don’t know the author of the sermons contained in the book; we also don’t precisely know the original audience either. 
What we do know is that it was written to a people who were shrinking back in their faith. It was obviously written to a Hebrew audience (Jews). It’s messaging throughout is an encouragement or indictment not to shrink back into their faith and return to the Old covenant practices. 
 
Ultimately, the book is an invitation to see Christ as the Great High Priest, the Great Sacrifice, the Great Word, the Great perfector of faith. We are invited to see the glory and splendor of Jesus Christ. The book gives a fuller picture of Jesus as God’s Son and invites us to see all that he accomplished.
 
We may think we don’t struggle with Old covenant tendencies. That may be true. But we can all benefit from the encouragement to our faith this book brings: 1) To not shrink back when following Christ gets difficult, 2) To trust in God’s forgiveness offered us in Jesus Christ, 3) To go to God in prayer through Christ our priest.
 
These encouragements and more are found throughout the book.
 
Today’s encouragement is one we need. In a world that is shaking, it is wonderful to know and believe that Jesus is God’s Son, he is seated at the right hand of God and he is holding all things together, sustaining us through his word. We are sustained through Christ. He will hold us together.
 
Jesus is Lord and we can trust in Him.

Week 9, Day 4
​March 3, 2022
Scripture Acts 28
 
“They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus.” (Acts 28:23)
 
Paul finally makes it to Rome. It is only after incredible events like shipwreck, snake bite and healing those who were sick on the island of Malta.
 
Everywhere Paul goes is an opportunity for him to testify about the kingdom of God. For as long as he would remain on the earth. Prisoner or free. He was going to proclaim Jesus and announce the Kingdom of God. That’s our challenge still today, isn’t it?
 
It’s been long mentioned that it’s an open-ended ending for the book of Acts. IT just sort of stops telling the story. No real conclusion or closure. What happens after that? What happens to Paul? What is Acts 29? Does the church continue to grow?
 
I’m not sure where I heard it, but I like to think we are Acts 29. We are the continuation of the story and proclamation of the kingdom. The Church and her message continue forth. Wherever we go, with intentionality we proclaim the kingdom.
 
Go be the next chapter of Acts today. Love one another, encourage others to come to Christ and proclaim Jesus as King.
 
 

​Week 9, Day 3
March 2, 2022
Scripture: Acts 27
 
Trials.
 
Paul’s confidence in God and trust in him is remarkable.
 
Paul anticipates that the boat will most certainly capsize if they set sail when they do. But the soldiers don’t listen. They have a job to do and they are going to carry it out. 
 
It’s not long into the journey that they likely regret their decision. It seems like death is all but certain. But an angel speaks to Paul, and he comforts all the soldiers and prisoners, “God will spare our lives.”
 
God continually cares for Paul.
 
What is interesting is this trial on the boat is preparation for yet another trial. God is preserving Paul’s life that he might make it to Rome and stand before Caesar. 
 
If I were Paul, I might say something to God like, “Gee, thanks.”
 
But Paul, in his incredible character and faith, trusts in the Lord. He is not looking to avoid the trails but see the trials as opportunities to testify to the love of God through Christ.
 
Today, let’s give God glory through the trials and adversities that we face. Our mindset must change. We must shift from thinking that the Christian life is the absence of trials and difficulty. Rather, trials and difficulties are opportunities for the God to receive glory. This is a hard shift for all of us. 
 
Take courage today, knowing that God is with you and the struggle you face is something God is with you in. He loves you, glorify him!

​Week 9, Day 2
March 1, 2022
Scripture: Acts 26
 
“I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” (Acts 26:29)
 
Paul’s heart is that all would come to believe in Christ and believe in the power of the resurrection. He recounts his story to Agrippa.
 
I’ve been as opposed as I possibly could to Jesus of Nazareth. Yet he has saved me. I was doing all I could to stop him, and he stopped me in my tracks. I was lost, but now I am saved.
 
God’s story has a way of doing that, doesn’t it? He stops us in our tracks. WE are compelled by this Gospel, Jesus is Lord and King. He has rescued and saved us.
 
Tell the story of God’s love, trust in him and persevere today.
 
God be with you!