Hebrews 4
Sometimes we look for people to be there for us when we experience lack, sadness, anger, etc. without ever going to God. The throne of grace is open 24/7. And there, you can receive mercy and find grace when you need it—YOUR time of need. Go to the throne of grace today. You can go while driving, walking to work, during lunch, or right now. See Hebrews 4:14-16.
From our childhood, we have always wanted loving and trusting relationships.
We wanted the very best from our parents.
We wanted teachers who give their all to help us learn.
We wanted mechanics who do not cheat us, but tell us exactly what is needed to keep our cars running properly.
We wanted pastors who lead us with honesty and integrity.
We wanted spouses and friends who are loving, committed, and supportive through the highs and lows of life.
We grow up with these desires and expectations. But somewhere along the way, we are disappointed and let down. Our parents are not as loving or supportive as we thought. Not all teachers want to inspire children. Some mechanics do cheat people. Pastors violate our trust. Spouses and friends hurt us and leave us at our most vulnerable moments.
Exodus 3:7-8 – And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
The Lord Himself had seen the affliction of the children of Israel and has heard their cry. He previously stated that after four hundred years of affliction in Egypt, Abram’s seed would be delivered (Genesis 15:13-16). That nation of people would return to the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (Jacob) after the iniquity of the Amorites was full (Genesis 15:16).
As we face afflictions, trials, tests, and difficult times, may we not forget that God sees and hears our afflictions and will deliver us in due time. Let us be faithful unto Him and wait for His deliverance and restoration.
Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Additional scriptures: Exodus 2:23-25, Psalm 11:4, 33:13, 34:17, 145:19; Hebrews 4:13
Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/lovesr
In 2004 we wrote Living Out of Lust, a beautiful book that engaged the very issue of sexual addictions, its devastating effects, and how we can live without the stains of sexual sins. Over the years, we’ve learned that there is a larger encompassing scope beyond the principles of Living Out of Lust.
The key message for us that struggle with sexual sin (or any sin for that matter) is the closer we draw to the Lord, the further we draw from sin and the world.
Ephesians 5:16 – Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
In our lives before God, many of us would find that we’re not good at managing our time. Not only that, but we spend much of our day doing things that draw us further away from our purposes in the Lord. We consider free time as time to do nothing but watch TV and weekends and holidays as the same. After some time (or even at the end of a year), we look back and wonder where all the time went…only to repeat the same course of action the following year.
Sound familiar?!
There are many things we can do in this life, but only those that were in Christ will remain. Once you use your time, there are no refunds or exchanges. Once it’s gone…it’s gone. So, how do we redeem our time?!
Why do I always have to go through trials and temptation? I don’t want to continue facing the same things over and over and over AND OVER again! I just want to be free.
Have you ever felt like that? Have you ever felt like the Apostle Paul when he said that when he wants to do right, sin is right there (Romans 7:21)? OR the things you want to do you don’t do, but the things you don’t want to do, THAT you find yourself doing (Romans 7:15)? Many of us can relate to Paul’s statements of temptation and sin, but we often stop there without going any further. We continue to live in a cycle that goes from temptation-sin-repentance-temptation-sin-repentance and it never seems to stop. We want to get off the merry-go-round, but it doesn’t seem like we ever can. Why do I have to go through this? Why can’t God just take it away because He knows I want to serve Him. If I didn’t have this ‘sin’ issue, I could just run for Him.
1. We like seeing examples of righteousness. Throughout history, there has been many men and women of great faith. Through the trials they faced, they had the assured trust and confidence in the promises of God. They displayed a level of faith we aspire to achieve:
Hebrews 11:35-40 – Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
2. Jesus is our greatest example of righteousness. Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life in spite of evil intentions, jealousy, strife, and even his own emotions. He lived in obedience to His Father and His purpose on earth. He understood who He was and what He was called to accomplish. Nothing swayed Him from His path and purpose for living (Luke 9:51-56).
1. Superheroes have a hidden identity. As children, most of us watched superhero cartoons. We would witness people with superhuman strength and abilities entrusted to stop evil and create a safer environment for city. Many of the superheroes had a separate identity among the public. (I never understood why the animators would do this because it would be a lot easier to for the superhero to remain ‘super’ all day, but I guess superheroes have to make a living too.) They could easier conceal their identity and no one could figure out who they were.
As Christians, we should not live in this manner. Jesus is calling us to be a light in the world (Matthew 5:14-16). We must allow our light to shine so that others may see our good works and praise our Father in Heaven.
Unfortunately, many of us hide our identity as Children of the Most High. We hide behind other characteristics that conceal our true identity. We display characteristics of anger, malice, sexual sins, robbery, lying, etc. No one would ever believe you were a Christian – even if you told them!
When you ask most believers today about grace, they would refer to it as undeserving favor from God. One of the greatest elements of God’s grace is His undeserving favor toward mankind, and within the biblical text, there are other instances of grace as well.
1. Undeserving Favor. Though Adam sinned and brought death and sin into the generations of man, God loved us so much that He gave His only Son as a sacrifice for our sins (Romans 5:12-15; John 3:16). He did this so that the eternal separation that was made between God and man would be restored – for those that placed their belief in His Son.
Titus 3:4-7 – But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
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