Bible Ballistics: BBs #331 Joshua And Caleb Or The 10???

 

As we observe all of the media frenzy going on around us, I am reminded that we must remember that it IS NOT the side you’re on, or even if you are in the majority. The question is whose side are YOU on? Now I know that sounds like a bit of double-talk, and it really is a bit of a conundrum to get us to think about life from the right perspective. God won’t ask us if we were a republican, or a democrat, or a libertarian, or even if you were part of the ‘green’ party, or an independent; but God will ask each one if you are His child through the blood of His Son?

One of my favorite Bible accounts is a reminder of this. It relates to Joshua and Caleb. Joshua, of course, had been Moses’ assistant, and Caleb one of the leaders of the people. They were part of the twelve sent to spy out the “Promised Land”, and return with a report. Well, they did that—all twelve went through the land, all saw the beauty and splendor of God’s “Promised Land” of “milk and honey”, yet they didn’t all come back with the same report. Let’s examine portions of the account in Numbers 13 and 14.

“And they returned from searching of the land after forty days. 26 And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel……and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land. 27 And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. 28 Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan. 30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. 31 But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. 32 And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel……and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature….and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” Numbers 13:25-32

Twelve men sent on a reconnaissance mission; ten came back defeated already, but two came back confident that the God who had promised Abraham this land, the God who had brought them to this land, the God who had shown them the ‘milk and honey’ was (And still is!) able to bring them victoriously in.

“And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. 2 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! 3 And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey?” Numbers 14:1-3

The ten influenced the whole nation of Israel, and discouraged them to the point that they wept in despair, they murmured against Moses and accused God of misleading them! Whoa! Do you understand how easy it is to get our eyes on the giants and off of GOD! God had delivered them from Egypt; God had led them across the Red Sea; God had provided their food, water and protection; yet now they are ready to abandon God in fear because the “majority” said, “we can’t do it”! Ever hear that? We all have, but the story isn’t over there. There were two who had a different report—same event, same scouting mission, same observances—but they were looking through eyes of faith and trust in the Lord God Almighty!!! What did these two men see that the others didn’t? It wasn’t what they saw that was different, but they saw it differently, because of whom they trusted with what they saw. How about you?

“And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: 7 And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying,

The land, which we passed through

to search it,

is an exceeding good land.

8 If the Lord delight in us,

then he will bring us into this land,

and give it us;

a land which floweth

with milk and honey.

9 Only rebel not ye against the Lord,

neither fear ye the people of the land;

for they are bread for us:

their defence is departed from them,

and the Lord is with us:

fear them not.” Numbers 14:6-9

Joshua and Caleb called the people to stand fast on the promises of God, but they wouldn’t listen, and because of their rebellion God set them to wander in the wilderness until all of those who rejected God died, and the children for whom they feared, were brought in. But what happened to Joshua and Caleb? They were both rewarded for their faithfulness to God. Joshua became the successor to Moses when they came to the Jordan River, and Caleb was spared and blessed to conquer the land God promised him. Why? God Himself gives us that answer.

“But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.” Numbers 14:24

And bring him in He did. So you and I must decide day by day, even today, will we believe God or men? We will be fearful or confident in our Lord Jesus Christ? We must “stand fast in the evil day”—and friends that is where we are! And God gives us the power to succeed by faith.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord….” 2 Timothy 1:7-8a

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Thessalonians 4:19-20

The choice is yours! Will you choose to respond like Joshua and Caleb, or will you be swayed by men—whether they are the majority or the minority? Will your stand fast on the promises of God and His Word, or will you believe the lies of the enemy? These are choices we make every day, and we must be grounded in God’s Word, and have confidence in the faithfulness of God, to make the right ones. May we choose wisely today! May we take heart from the testimony of Caleb, and though it’s a bit long, I think it worth the time and have recorded it for you here:

“Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. 8 Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the Lord my God. 9 And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children’s for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God. 10 And now, behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. 11 As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. 12 Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said. 13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.” Joshua 14:7-13

Oh, what a precious testimony, “I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me”! What stand will you be called upon to take for God today? I pray that we may have the boldness and confidence of these two godly men, today. God’s blessing on you dear ones as you face your “giants” today and each day! We serve the same faithful God—and remember—we win because God wins!!! Remember God brought David’s “giant” down with a rock and a slingshot! Pick up your ‘rock’!!! The Rock of Ages, that is!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #330      Only Your Own Story???

 

I am a great C.S. Lewis fan, and I just love the Chronicles of Narnia. I enjoy the great spiritual parallels and in some of the stories there is a line that Aslan speaks to a person he is encountering personally; when asked about some other person in the story Aslan’s reply is classic, “I only tell you ‘your’ story, not theirs!” A principle we should take to heart.

We are living in a culture that is plagued with, what I call, a ‘Pass the buck’ syndrome. No one is responsible for his own actions, and it seems that our favorite pastime is to criticize circumstances, motives (Or ulterior motives!) and intentions of others; as well as determining how they measure up to our particular expectations. There is a principle in scripture that calls us to ‘run in our own lane’—we are to run the race that Jesus places before us without regard to the race that someone else may be running.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher

of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down

at the right hand

of the throne of God.”     Hebrews 12:1-2

We are called to run “the race that is set before us”! Take note of pronouns used in this passage:

 “we also are compassed about—

  let us lay aside–

  doth so easily beset us—

  let us run—

  set before us—

  our faith—“ 

We are each called by God, each one given the opportunity to place our faith in Jesus, and each one is called to consider the testimony of those who are around us, both presently and those who have gone on before us (Whether recorded in scripture or great Christian biographies!). We must recognize that temptations and trials come to each one of us, yet we are not all tempted by the same things, and different issues may affect each of us differently. We are called to have unity in Jesus Christ, not to be uniform! We are called to run ‘the race’ that is set ‘before us’, not the race set before someone else. God sets the race, my job is to run faithfully and finish well. I don’t have to beat anyone else; this is a personal best not a competition with the rest of the body of Christ. Really? My race is not the same as yours, in the sense that we are each uniquely called and gifted to do what ‘only’ we can do. Yes there are basics that we are all called to pursue—God, Jesus, holiness, the knowledge of God through His Word, the fruit of the Spirit—but we all have unique giftings through which we accomplish God’s will.

I’d like to leave you with some words of Jesus to Peter after the resurrection, and at a restoration encounter at the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had just challenged Peter three times with the question, “lovest thou me?”, and to Peter’s positive response each time Jesus had commissioned him to feed and tend his sheep/lambs. Jesus then told Peter He would follow HIM to death for his faith. At this Peter, seeming to want to ‘change the subject’ turned to the Apostle John and asked Jesus a question about “John’s” story. Let’s consider what Jesus had to say in response to Peter’s inquiry.

“Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself,

and walkedst whither thou wouldest:

but when thou shalt be old,

thou shalt stretch forth thy hands,

and another shall gird thee,

and carry thee whither

thou wouldest not.

19 This spake he,

signifying by what death

he should glorify God.

And when he had spoken this,

he saith unto him,

Follow me.

20 Then Peter,

turning about,

Philseeth the disciple

whom Jesus loved

following;

which also leaned on his breast

at supper,

and said, Lord, which is he

that betrayeth thee?

21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus,

Lord, and what shall this man do?

22 Jesus saith unto him,

If I will that he tarry till I come,

what is that to thee?

follow thou me.” John 21:18-22

So my friend, I ask you, “what is that to thee?” Are you so busy checking out everyone else’s race, that you aren’t running your own? Are you neglecting your race, to be a judge of someone else’s race? The solution is simple but not easy.

“follow thou me”—

And there is only one way to successfully do that:

“Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher

of our faith”

Or as the NASB translates it, we are to keep “fixing our eyes” on Jesus. So keep your eyes on the prize—Jesus– and don’t worry about what HE is calling others to do. Jesus is only concerned about you and I doing what HE has called us to do. Let’s press on together in “our lane” running “our race” with patience, love and diligence. Press on dear one, press on. Remember, we WIN! Jesus IS the prize!!!

“Brethren, I count not myself

to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things which are behind,

and reaching forth unto those things

which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling

of God

in Christ Jesus.”     Philippians 3:13-14

 

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 9 No.05 To Serve Or To Be Served???

 

We have created a “gimme” culture that seems to pervade every area of our lives, and I would like us to examine today the affect of this mindset on the church. It seems to me that we have morphed (Knowingly or unknowingly is irrelevant at this point!) into a ‘feed me’ culture within the church in America. While our culture is clamoring to be fed, clothed, educated, supported, driven, provided with not only the necessities of life, but also the luxuries of life we watch in amazement. I’m not talking about meeting the basic needs of those unable to fend for themselves, but the greed of a culture that has been taught and allowed to be sustained without any work or effort of their own. How does this transfer to the church, you might ask? Well, let’s try to answer that question. We seem to have adopted the way of the culture rather than the way of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them,

If any man desire to be first,

the same shall be last of all,

and servant of all.

36 And he took a child,

and set him in the midst of them:

and when he had taken him in his arms,

he said unto them,

37 Whosoever shall receive one of such

children in my name,

receiveth me:

and whosoever shall receive me,

receiveth not me,

but him that sent me.” Mark 9:35-37

Jesus own disciples had “disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest”, and like all of us, they were just acting ‘human’. But, Jesus called them to march to a different drummer. He taught them that “If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all”, and we must take this to heart. In a culture of ‘mega-churches’ and ‘mega-famous’ preachers and teachers, we must come back to the teachings of our Lord—“servant of all”. A most neglected teaching in the day of the “prosperity” gospel. Jesus called us to serve one another and the world, not to strive to be served (or to prosper monetarily at the expense of the Truth!).

We have allowed this “self” mindset to creep into our churches where everyone wants to have their own kind of music, seats, air-conditioning, preaching, and every group has their own church—the short people’s church, the tall people’s church, the white collar church, the blue collar church, the western church, the high-society church, the people who reject God church (yes even that!) —You name it and there probably is one, if not in my town or yours, in some town or metropolis you’ll find one. People, we have missed the point. We are to be striving to be servants to one another not spoiled children striving to please ourselves and insisting on our own way. We seem to have forgotten that we are called to follow Jesus, and to call others to come along and follow Him “with” us. Instead we seem to have created this mindset and culture that says follow “me”, and my ways, my likes, my dislikes, my this and my that; we seem to have completely forgotten the call of our Lord.

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come

in the glory of his Father

with his angels;

and then he shall reward

every man

according to his works.”    Matthew 16:24-27

Let’s look at a couple of specific things here. Jesus has been telling his disciples that His crucifixion and death was at hand, and they just didn’t understand how He, the Messiah, could face death. They were counting on HIM to deliver them physically as well as spiritually, how could they follow Him if this were true. Jesus says something quite radical—He told them that they were to follow HIM with a cross. And that call, my friends, has never changed. Jesus calls us to do the same. He said clearly, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” We are to be busy following Jesus, making disciple of Jesus NOT of ourselves, of our preferences in worship style, or culture specific churches! We are to be following Jesus. Now please don’t misunderstand, I know that God calls people to minister to specific groups of people; to minister to language groups, different culture groups and that’s all well and good, but oft-times people want to segregate God’s people according to their likes and dislikes of various forms, creating the self-seeking church rather than the Christ-following church. May God have mercy on our foolishness?

Jesus gives us more of the same teaching after James and John applied for “leadership positions/promotions”!

“And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? 37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. 38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? 39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: 40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

41 And when the ten heard it,

they began to be much displeased

with James and John.

42 But Jesus

called them to him,

and saith unto them,

Ye know that they which are accounted to rule

over the Gentiles

exercise lordship

over them;

and their great ones exercise authority

upon them.

43 But so shall it not be among you:

but whosoever

will be great among you,

shall be your minister:

44 And whosoever of you

will be the chiefest,

shall be servant of all.

45 For even the Son of man

came not to be ministered unto,

but to minister,

and to give his life

a ransom for many.” Mark 10:36-45

Jesus came to serve and we must not set ourselves up as those who would “lord” it over others, but to follow His servant heart and example. Yes, Jesus established leadership in the church but we are called to be servants of one another. Even the leaders, the preachers and the teachers are called to be servant leaders.

“The elders which are among you I exhort,

who am also an elder,

and a witness of the sufferings of Christ,

and also a partaker of the glory

that shall be revealed:

2 Feed the flock of God

which is among you,

taking the oversight thereof,

not by constraint,

but willingly;

not for filthy lucre,

but of a ready mind;

3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage,

but being examples to the flock.

4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear,

ye shall receive a crown of glory

that fadeth not away.

5 Likewise, ye younger,

submit yourselves unto the elder.

Yea, all of you be subject one to another,

and be clothed with humility:

for God resisteth the proud,

and giveth grace to the humble.

6 Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you

in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:1-7

Did you get it? None of us are to be “lords over God’s heritage”, but we are each called to submit ourselves unto God, respect the elders, learn from the teachers and preachers whom God has called and placed in our midst. And the leaders, teachers and preachers are to lead not only with their words, “but being examples to the flock”, they are to walk together with us as we all serve and follow Jesus rather than seeking those who can meet our needs in serving us!!! Oh may God help us to return to His Word and seek to please Him and not just join in with the ‘majority’ that is usually wrong. Now let me qualify this by saying I am not talking about those who say our job as the congregation is to ‘keep the preacher humble, by keeping him poor’! That isn’t biblical either.

“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.” 1 Timothy 5:17-18

We are to care for those who serve in places of ministry with honor, gratitude, and generosity. We who are blessed, should bless those who give forth the Word of God in whatever manner God has called them to serve. Ouch!! UhOh! Now we’ve gone to meddling when we talk about ‘money’, but God has called us to take care of those who He has called and sent to minister the Gospel in various ways, especially those who are in full-time service. You wouldn’t go eat at a restaurant and expect to leave without paying (Not that I’m saying that preachers and/or teachers are just putting out a buffet meal—but we are to appreciate and show our gratitude to those who minister the word to us. And as the little boy asked his father as they left a restaurant, “Why do we tip 15% and God only asks for 10%?”) So why would any person expect to be fed, ministered to, encouraged and cared for by a pastor who loves them, and not want to help meet his physical needs? But on the other hand we are to be aware of those who have sinister motives and do things just for the money. It is a balance that only God can help us achieve!

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly

shall reap also sparingly;

and he which soweth bountifully

shall reap also bountifully.

7 Every man

according as he purposeth

in his heart,

so let him give;

not grudgingly,

or of necessity:

for God loveth a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able

to make all grace abound toward you;

that ye,

always having all sufficiency

in all things,

may abound to every good work:”     2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Can you see how following Jesus means caring for one another and being the servant of all? Sharing in the work of the Lord in whatever way He has gifted us—whether it is in a speaking gift or a service gift. We are to work together as servants of the King of Kings!!

“As every man hath received the gift,

even so minister the same

one to another,

as good stewards

of the manifold grace of God.

11 If any man speak,

let him speak as the oracles of God;

if any man minister,

let him do it as of the ability

which God giveth:

that God in all things

may be glorified

through Jesus Christ,

to whom be praise

and dominion

for ever and ever. Amen.”      1 Peter 4:10-11

And in closing, one of the most beautiful passages on servant-hood in all of scripture. May you ponder and think on these words as you go through your day, your week, your year—your life. What a great passage to memorize and put in your heart and mind, to keep close.

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”     Philippians 2:5-11

And just a word of caution, even a servant heart has to be careful about how we are serving, and whom. Who and what have you chosen?

“And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42

 

 

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #329 Teach Me O Lord???

“Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me thy judgments.” Psalm 119:108

“Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.” Psalm 119:12

“Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.” Psalm 25:4

“Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” Psalm 86:11

One of the themes throughout the book of Psalms is teaching and learning. And while we can call upon The Lord to teach us, to inform, direct and make wise our hearts, it is an undeniable principle that their must be a willing learner on the asking side of the equation! Just like our own children whom we attempt to “teach” some task or skill, yet there is often an absence of attention, mind and/or desire to learn the subject of our encounter; we must be a willing learner when we seek and request the help of God.

We need to remember the words of Jesus, as He told His disciples about the principles of true prayer, and understand that the focus of our request/prayer must be on God’s will, intent, and purposes rather than our own. “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done”! I invite you join me in asking God to redirect our hearts and minds to HIS ways, to HIS times, to HIS desires, to HIS purposes, to HIS timeless principles of single-minded, and devoted love, holiness, mercy and grace, which only God can truly impart!

Oh Lord, please hear our prayer. Please “unite my heart” to Yours, and teach me the discipline of “making” YOU first in my life and in my day; the strength to “withstand in the evil day” as I suit up in YOUR armor; the humility to face my own sin and shortcomings and seek Your face in repentance, asking for Your forgiveness, cleansing and the revival of my love and devotion toward YOU! May we, as YOUR children, forsake the self-life for the self-less life of pure devotion? May we be willing learners, even when the lessons are inconvenient and difficult for our ears to hear, and our hearts to yield to?

O Lord, teach me YOUR ways!

O Lord, refine my heart by YOUR fire!

O Lord, renew righteous hunger in my soul!

O Lord, I humbly and truly shout with the Psalmist this morning:

“Create in me a clean heart,

O God;

and renew a right spirit

within me.

11 Cast me not away

from thy presence;

and take not thy holy spirit

from me.” Psalm 51:10-11

I pray this word will draw each of us into HIS presence this morning—for HIS glory and that we would be a truer and more holy reflection of JESUS to the world around us.

Amen and Amen

Bible Ballistics: BBs #328      Enough To Live On!!!

 

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” John 11:25-26

Martha and her sister Mary had lost their brother, Lazarus. Each had a heart full of grief, loss and wonder. Why had Jesus delayed His arrival and not come to heal Lazarus? Why didn’t Jesus come sooner? These questions both Mary and Martha asked their Lord about, the same questions that we often ask. Why, Lord? Why not now, Lord? Why this, or that did or didn’t happen? These are valid questions and God the neither Father, nor Jesus the Son are ever offended at our honest, heart-felt inquiries. While some say that we aren’t to question God, I don’t believe that means that we are not free to ask God the questions on our hearts. We are not to doubt God, or question His purposes that we cannot fully comprehend, but we are free to bring Him our burdens and questions—He tells us to.

Jesus gave His life to grant to us the privilege of coming directly before God with all our burdens, questions, griefs and uncertainties. (And there is no time limit on grief!)

“The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come

that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.” John 10:10-11

We can come to Jesus because of Calvary, and His sacrifice brought the New Covenant of His Holy Spirit, who imparts the honor, privilege and opportunity to bring our every desire, burden, question and grief directly before our Lord.

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

We come to The Father, Son and Holy Spirit only through the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus. And in verses 12 & 13 of this chapter, you’ll find that the judge of all things is the Word of God—the living Word, Jesus, and the written Word, the Bible. God knows where we are, and we can trust Him to hear and answer our prayers to our good, and to reveal His glory to us, in us and through us. And may we never forget to come before Him in worship—the only One worthy of worship! The privilege of asking, and the honor of receiving warrants our worship and gratitude for HIS sufficiency—He is enough to live on!

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4: 11   Amen and Amen!!!