Are Your Ears Ready?

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Revelation 2:7 NIV

A friend of mine once told me that sometimes we're not ready to listen until we're ready to listen. But, you know, a lot of times our willingness to listen is more important than our comfort level. If you have ever tried to help someone who needed help but didn't think they needed help (or to change), you know what I mean. If you are like me, you've probably been that person. 

Being willing to hear what the Spirit is saying to you and respond in faith is the crux of our lives as Christians. I think it was Francis Schaeffer who said that at one point all Christianity is existential, meaning that it's what we do that makes our faith real. 

I know it's Friday. I realize it's the end of the week. Remember to take a moment and listen. What has the Lord been moving in your conscience to deal with, trust him with, obey him about? If the Spirit has something in your life, it's time, ready or not, to deal with it. The good news is that he that called you is faithful to work his will in you. 

What's on your heart?

He Is Coming

John, 

To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. 

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

“Look, he is coming with the clouds,”

   and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”;

   and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”

So shall it be! Amen.

Revelation 1:4-7 NIV

We may not know the day or the hour that our Savior is coming, but, we know he is coming. It is good to take a breath, remember we are part of his kingdom, and we are serving as his priests. This is a moment in eternity that our God and Father is Sovereign Lord over. He directs the hearts of kings, rulers, and even tyrants. His will is being accomplished. Not my will, his will. 

Lord, grant us the strength to continue in our faith, flourishing in your presence. Use us as light in the darkness of the world. Be gracious to those around us and open their hearts and minds to you. Praise be to you in us today!

Snatch With Mercy

Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Jude 1:22-23 NIV

It's amazing how important mercy is. Mercy is at the heart of our entire life as Christians. We receive mercy because Jesus died on the cross for our sins. We are merciful because as recipients of grace, we know we all need it. 

I can't think of a single relationship that I have that does not require symbiotic mercy, except with God. He gives mercy in Christ and I receive it and my only response is thanks. I need mercy and every person I will encounter and know needs mercy. Jude specifically says to be merciful to those who doubt. I really relate to apologetics. I like to talk about things with people. What I have found is that people, even people who want to argue facts or split hairs need mercy. 

I think you snatch someone from the fire with mercy, not threats. Yesterday, my son and I were eating at a Subway and this lady stuck her head in the door and shouted something about sin, grace and God and that God loves everyone and, "God bless you." One little kid said, "What the heck was that?!" A server behind the counter told one of the patrons (whom she apparently at least knew as a frequent customer), "That was for you!" and laughed. He didn't think it was that funny so it probably hit a sore spot. I respect that she was trying to serve the Lord, I'm just not sure it had the affect she was looking for. But, is there someone in your life that needs mercy? Your offer of mercy could snatch them form the fire and save them. So, don't be afraid if the opportunity arises, offer mercy because we all need it.

How Will You Build Yourself Up?

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Jude 1:20-21 NIV

Sometimes we forget that our faith is interactive. There is the the "what we do" part.

As a teacher I can't tell you how many times I have been in a

conference with a student and their parent(s) discussing the need for the student to complete and turn in their assignments. The parents will tell me they see their child doing the work. When I tell them the work is not being turned in they (usually with a look of exasperation) grab their child's backpack and (usually with a look of unbelief mixed with embarrassment) they begin to pull out paper after paper of assignments never turned in.  

How many people just go to church but never turn anything in? Do you attend church or participate in your church. This is the part of Christianity that is interactive. Christianity, discipleship, is about experiencing God's love, his mercy and grace by living it out in our relationships. We pray in the Holy Spirit. We keep ourselves in God's love. 

What do athletes do to build themselves up? Baseball players play baseball. Basketball players play basketball. Football players play football. Get the point? As Christians we should act like Christ. Today, how will you build yourself up?

Choose to Flourish

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
   they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the Lord,
   they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
   they will stay fresh and green,
proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;
   he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”

Psalms 92:12-15 NIV

My wife has a green thumb. She gives them just the right amount of care so they will flourish. Once she planted aloe vera plant and it has grown from a little sapling to full sized plant. More than once I have gone out to it and cut off a leaf and rubbed its juices on a cut or burn. 

We, planted in the house of the LORD, will flourish in his care. That means we will grow up in Christ and be useful for the body of Christ. The Lord is upright. That means he isn't going to abuse us or allow things to hurt us for no reason. God will prune us and that may not be enjoyable at the moment, but, it will lead to greater fruitfulness. Through those pruning moments we need to remember to look to the LORD our Rock and remember there is no wickedness in him. 

The difference between you and I and a seed is that we can choose where we are planted. We can be planted in "the house of the LORD" or we can plant ourselves on rocky places and among thorns (see Matthew 13:1-9). If you are reading this I feel confident you are trying to flourish in the house of the LORD. Let him doing his pruning and be willing to be the aloe vera that will bring healing to someone else in the house of the LORD.

I Thank God Because...

Lord, we thank you, O Most High, for your love and your faithfulness. Thank you for my family, my job and an opportunity to serve you. Praise be to you in us today!

What are you thankful for today?

He Hears You

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

1 John 5:13-15 NIV

I can know that I can have eternal life and I can know that God hears me. First of all, eternal life is not simply immortality. Immortality without God is hell. Eternal life is about completeness, wholeness, joy unspeakable, life in God's presence. Part of that we begin to experience now is the beginnings of eternal life. Since we are still in our corruptible bodies we await the time we will be in the Lord's presence without hinderance, knowing him as we are known by him. Sometimes we forget or lose site of the truth that we have access to eternal life, in part, now. John wrote that we might know that.

Secondly, I think it is truly amazing that God hears me. The kicker is of course if we ask anything according to his will. When my wife and I first started seeing each other seriously I had to, of course, consider her two sons. They are both men now and I am very proud of them and how they handle themselves. At one time is was a bit rough between one of the boys and I. I remember praying, "Lord, what good does this do? How are you glorified in this? Is this your will?" I firmly believed it was God's will that we had at least a civil relationship, but, I prayed for a godly encouraging relationship of trust. The Lord heard those prayers and I remember my son saying, "Man, I really wanted to hate you, but you were so nice." God is so gracious and faithful. 

Eternal life and answered prayer meet in faith as we seek to love one another and live holy, righteous lives in Jesus' Name. 

You vs. the World: You Got This

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 

1 John 4:4 NIV

When we were kids we used to try to pick the best person to be on or team because we figured if we had the best player, we'd win. Pretty good strategy, and it usually worked. Now, as Christians, I believe we are in the fight of our lives and it is imperative that we submit ourselves to Christ because the battle is really heating up.

The world, the spirit of the antichrist, has become more openly hostile to Christ and his followers. If you have walked with Christ for a while you have overcome the world, to some extent, otherwise you wouldn't be even attempting to walk with Christ. The world is trying to tell us that our beliefs are wrong, outdated and unloving. If we don't buy into their agenda we will be ostracized, condemned publicly, and even punished financially. 

I don't want to get into a big description of the end times and the persecution of the saints. What I want to press into our thoughts is the truth that Christ in us is greater than all the world against us. When Judas betrayed Christ (see John 18) and they (soldiers and officials) said they wanted him, Jesus said, "I am he," and they drew back and fell to the ground. The power of his word just knocked them all backwards and they fell down. The power that would raise him from the dead was leaked out just to demonstrate that Christ chose to die for us. 

Hold on to Christ as he is holding on to you. He ever lives to intercede for you. He is faithful, even when you are not. His love never fails. Remember, Paul encourages us at the end of I Thessalonians 5:24, "The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it."

This Is How We Love

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:16-18 NIV

I think this world struggles to know what love really is. I think sometimes we as Christians overthink it at times. I read a post the other day where someone was writing that in a relationship you needed to look for someone who sought to fulfill your needs, not just their own. It reminded me of one of my professors from college, way back in the day. He said that the problem with many relationships was it was just two people trying to get their needs met, which is like two ticks without a dog.

Christianity is not about getting our needs met. In Christ, we realize some needs are met now in Christ and others won't be fully realized until we see him face to face. Now, we get a glimpse, when we see Christ in glory we'll see it all. Christianity, as one person put it - the upside down kingdom - calls us to die to ourselves and put others first. Love is seeing an actual need and meeting it. 

One of my friends was struggling financially a few years ago and I happened to have a few dollars I felt I should use for God somehow. I got him the money anonymously. He told me that someone gave him some money and it wasn't a lot but it was a real answer to prayer because he was able to buy some food for he and his daughters. Now, I'm not trying to glorify myself because I know my own sinfulness, but, what I am trying to point out is that whatever we do in Jesus' Name will bear eternal  fruit. The point is that sometimes we see a need and we do what we can. I knew the money I gave my friend wasn't going to take away his financial problems, but, God will do what he wants with what we give. That is love. 

Come Get What You Need

These verses came up in my devotions this morning and they seem to go together...

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”and you make the Most High your dwelling,no harm will overtake you,no disaster will come near your tent.

Psalms 91:9-10 NIV

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 

2 Peter 1:3 NIV

Let's Get Real Here

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

1 John 1:8-10 NIV

I was on a hiring committee once for a assistant principal position at a school I was working at and we were interviewing prospective candidates. One was a gentleman who was currently working at that school. The candidate was telling us why we should hire him when he proclaimed he worked well with everyone and never had issues with anybody. 

The problem was almost all of us had experienced run ins with him and he could be very difficult to work with. There were other reasons why he wasn't the best person for the job, so needless to say he wasn't chosen. 

After he found out he was not selected he asked me why. I tried to gently explain that other people were more qualified, but, he got a little testy. So, I flat out told him that he told several people who he had problems with that he never had problems with people. He was shocked and didn't recall ever having problems with people. I've since changes schools and last I saw him he was still wondering why people thought he was hard to get along with.

If we don't recognize our own sin we will just deceive ourselves, blame others, maybe even God, and probably be self-righteous hypocrites. Just like my "friend" from work, if we deny our sin we can't be helped. But, if confess our sins (which is admitting you sinned), Christ will forgive all our unrighteousness. 

Here, Jesus told me to give this to you...

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV

I think a word we often overlook is "others". Our gifts are means by which we serve others, or serve Christ by serving others. Whatever we do we are doing that gift (administering it) to others, in Jesus' Name. Some people are naturally "there you are" people while others are "here I am" people. If you are a "there you are" person the issue won't normally be able putting others first, you just may struggle with pseudo - humility. You know, the I'm not good enough stuff. In Christ, you are. 

If you are a "here I am" person the issues will probably center around you and thoughts of people noticing your selfless, humble service to Christ and others. It's not about you, it's about Christ.

We forget that God gave us each gifts and our responsibility is to give those gifts to others saying, "Here, Jesus told me to give this to you." 

The Word of the Day: Rescue

Thank you Lord, that you RESCUE me. You have rescued me even when I didn't ask. Praise be to you for your unfailing grace and love!

How has God rescued you? 

Because Love Covers

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:7-8 NIV

When I first started teaching the rule was to just keep your mouth shut until you became permanent because until then you could get a non-satisfactory notice from your principal and that it was it, game over. I remember waiting to get that notice, even though all my evaluations had been good, because I just didn't want my future riding on the mood of some administrator. Even after I got my "PERM" classification, I tried to pay attention and watch what I said. 

I became a Christian near the end of the Jesus movement in the late 70's and the end times was a central topic. Hal Lindsey, Chuck Smith, and others were proclaiming the soon return of Christ. It brought a certain seriousness and hope to following Christ. Now, I still think Christ is coming soon and I frankly believe he could come at any time and sort of wonder what we are missing in our eschatology (besides 'no man knows the day or hour'). 

So, when Peter tells us that the end of all things is near I think that our attitudes and actions should reflect the idea that Christ could come back at any moment. That's the idea of being clear minded and self-controlled. The bottom line is that we should love each other deeply. Some translations use the word fervent or severe. Remember we're not talking about some warm fuzzy- flower peddles floating down - music playing- emotion, we are talking about sacrificial, die to yourself, Christ-like love. There will be sin and love will be needed to cover it. What better thing could you or I be doing when Christ returns than trying to love someone with the love of Christ?

Why Suffer?

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 

1 Peter 4:1-2 NIV

What do you live for? What's your attitude? I worked with a guy who lived to fish. His attitude was "work hard, play hard". Even though fishing was definitely more meaningful to him them work, his attitude made him a good person to work with. 

As Christians, aliens in this world, our attitude, based upon what we know is true about God and his will for us and this world, our attitude can help us deal with the temptations, trials and sufferings we will encounter. 

Christ suffered for the joy that was set before him (Hebrews 12:2). We are not told that he enjoyed the suffering.  The joy was knowing that we would become children of God, the sheep of his pasture. As Christian we will at times endure suffering. That means pain. That means you would rather not. That means God has counted you worthy to share in his sufferings. Paul, at his conversion, was told how much he would suffer for Christ's Name (Acts 9:16). He wasn't told he would write a huge portion of the New Testament. He wasn't told he would be one of the central figures in early church history. He was told he would suffer. 

The deal is this: suffering gets our eyes off of earthly desires. Maybe it's because when we are truly suffering we wish to be rid of these bodies and their pain. In some way God uses that pain to focus our attention off ourselves and he brings our focus around to realizing that we must live for the will of God. It's not the pain of the moment, it's the promise that gives up hope, courage and strength. 

Fear and Honor

Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear  God, honor the emperor.

1 Peter 2:17 NIV

Fear God. Honor the emperor. We fear God because HE is above all and all will one day answer to him. We honor our leaders because God in his sovereignty allows them to be there. 

The question of civil disobedience will come up at some time when we consider submitting to every authority instituted among men (I Peter 2:13).  If we are asked to do something we know is against God, we choose to obey God rather than man. If we suffer, we suffer with grace.

To submit to the authorities God has put over us does not mean we have to agree with them. As long as we aren't being asked to violate what we believe, we trust God with the outcome. I'm not saying that this is easy for me. It's not. The point is that we look to God as sovereign even over the self-serving, truth-challenged, politicians we have in government. It may cost us to live according to our convictions. But, remember what happened to the early Christians who stood firm in their beliefs: they were scapegoated and killed.  

Know Who You Are and Be Who You Are

When I married my wife she had two wonderful boys. When it became evident that we were probably going to get married I told the boys they could either call me by my name or dad. I also said that I would call them sons but never step-sons because that had (in my mind) some negative connotations about not really being mine and I would do my best to treat them like I would if they were my own flesh and blood. To this day, and I am very proud of this, they still call me dad even though they moved out and are living as men for awhile now. 

I remember the first Father's Day at church and my wife nudging me and saying, "You're a father now, stand up." I was like, "Oh ya, that's right." It wasn't that I didn't want to stand up, it's just that I'd never been a father on Father's Day. I remembered, I stood up a bit self-consciously, and took the blessing and prayer. 

These verses from Peter are a bit of a reminder to us of who we are and what we are supposed to stand up and be.  You are chosen by God. You are part of a priesthood. You belong to God. You are here to declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness and into his wonderful light. You are now part of the people of God. You have received mercy.  Awesome! Know who you are in Christ and be who you are in Christ. 

Control Is Yours

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 

1 Peter 1:13 NIV

Have ever heard someone say, "Just go with your heart." (Maybe you said it?) You can find the scripture for that in I Fleshalonians. Well, actually, the Bible tells us that the heart is deceitfully and beyond cure (Jeremiah 17:9). 

I may not be able to control my emotions but, I can choose my actions and reactions. One of the great lies of the devil is that we are subject to our emotions. Acting against what we feel is, according to the world, dishonest. No, acting according to my emotions can prove to be not only foolish, but, very costly. 

The Bible, here in I Peter tells us to "prepare your minds for action". We do need to think ahead. How do we prepare our minds for action? We can choose ahead of time to try to act in humility (I am a sinner too), mercy (Christ was and is merciful to me) and grace (God does not treat us as our sins deserve, otherwise we'd all be wiped out). Remember, we are here to demonstrate the love of Christ to the world, not inform everyone else where they fall short of the glory of God. Control is ours, but we must choose it.

Thank God for His Favor

Thank you for your favor upon us! Open our eyes to see your favor upon our lives! Show us your favor and establish the work of our hands. Praise be to you in us today!

Word of the Day: Unfailing Love

Thank you, Lord, for Your Unfailing Love! Reveal Yourself to us today. Open our eyes to see Your Unfailing Love for us in our lives today!

The Wisdom of Peace

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom... But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

James 3:13, 17-18 | NIV

When I first started teaching I taught in a pretty rough part of the hood. For a while I would take the Blue Line to work then walk about four blocks to the school I was working at. There was this older "gentleman" who would be out sweeping his walkway and the sidewalk in front of his house. From the second he saw me to the time I couldn't hear him he would cuss me out. Every day. One day I caught him just as he was looking up and said, "Good morning, how are you?" He replied, "Fine thanks, how are you?" From that day on that was the exchange. 

Sometimes wisdom is just to keep walking. Sometimes, wisdom is waiting to respond with a kind word. Seek peace. The fruit is righteousness.

How do you make faith real?

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

James 2:14-17 NIV

Talk is cheap. What I say doesn't mean much if my actions don't match up. James really hits it on the head with his example. Someone you know is without clothes and daily food and they are right in front of you. If the best you do is wish for them to keep warm and well fed but you don't DO anything, like give them some clothes and buy them some food, then your faith isn't real. 

If my faith doesn't lead me to action, then my faith is dead. So, my question, to myself and you is: How can we make our faith real? 

The Word of the Day: Savior

He will call out to me, 'You are my Father,
   my God, the Rock, my Savior.' 
Psalm 89:26

The truth is that Jesus Christ is my Savior. 
Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for dying for our sins. Thank you for being my Savior!

Are You Equipped?

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,  equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV

Whenever my son and I go on a camping trip with his Scout troop there is a certain ritual that happens. The fathers at one point or another show off their new gadgets. (We've all been banned from REI by our wives.) Maybe it's a very light weight camp chair, or a bio-light stove that runs on scrap pieces of wood and will recharge your electronic device. I'll admit that sometimes I get something just for the "ohh, cool" factor, but, most of the time they are things we need. 

What's awesome is that Christ, our great Shepherd equips us with everything good for doing his will. And he works in us what is pleasing to him. What do you need? Now, if you have ever been to REI you know how many different types of backpacks, sleeping bags, tents and pretty much anything you can imagine or should have imagined for outdoor activities. Well, in Christ, his divine power, we are given everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). The amount of faith he gives each of us, the patience, and the abilities may be different, but, he gives us what we need. 

When I go to get something for my son, I ask him what he wants, but, I keep in mind what he needs to be safe and warm. God, whose love is unfathomable, listens to our prayers, but, knows better than us what we need to be equiped and pleasing to him. He will equip us and work in us by his power that raised Jesus from the dead.  

Two Sides of The Life of Faith

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 

Hebrews 12:14-15 NIV

Being holy and not allowing roots of bitterness are two sides of the life of faith.  Being holy is about what I do, while not allowing bitterness is about what you do to me. 

"See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God" is like a bridge between the two. The grace of God applies to both you and me. You need grace and I need grace.  I am going to try to be holy but, I will fail sometimes (that's not an excuse, that's just reality) I will fall short of holiness. Now, the author of Hebrews doesn't say, "See to it that no one falls short of holiness" he says, "the grace of God".  Our faith is in his grace, not our holiness. 

Bitterness comes when I have unreal expectations of myself and/or others. I forget that I sin and that others will sin, too. I forget that Jesus is interceding for me, because I sin. I need grace. Just as God in Christ forgives me, I need to be forgiving others. Grace allows us both to rest in Christ's holiness. 

Faith Sees

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 

Hebrews 11:1 NIV

What is God calling you to see? 

Got Guilt?

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 

Hebrews 10:19-23 NIV

Here is the bottom line. My sins and your sins were dealt with on the cross by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The enemy tries to condemn us (guilt plus condemnation) and Christ ever lives to intercede for us. Hold on to the truth. In Christ we are holy. He is our righteousness, holiness and redemption (see I Corinthians 1:30). Think of it this way: The enemy uses guilt to remind us that we sinned and that we don't deserve to call on God. Christ takes that guilt, shows us his wounds, asks us to just believe those were for us, and reminds us to just keep trying to love others with that same grace. 

Because, That's Why

How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! 

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

Hebrews 9:14-15 NIV (emphasis mine)

When I was a kid we used to have stupid arguments and sometimes one person would say, "Ya, but why?" and the other person would say, "Because, that's why." Now, the message of Hebrews, especially in these verses, is not some silly argument, rather, it one of crucial importance to our faith. 

The writer of Hebrews takes chapters six, seven, eight, nine and ten, to solidify in our hearts and minds the truth about the ministry of Christ as our High Priest. Christ's sacrifice sets us free from sin. His blood cleansed us so that we can serve him, the living God. 

Our conscience, sometimes paralyzes us. We fixate on the act of our sin. We need to fixate on the act of Christ. His sacrifice, which was once for all. For me, one truth that I must remember is that Christ didn't die to give me a second chance to be good enough, he died to cleanse me from all sin, so that I might serve the living God. If I am cleansed then I need to be focusing on serving him, not being good enough to serve him. 

He Meets Our Need

Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 

Hebrews 7:26 NIV

A few months ago I bought some hiking boots. They were low ankle style and a very good price. Since then I have used them several times and they don't quite meet my needs. Because they are a low ankle design I gather a lot of little rocks and things inside my shoes as I hike along. I think I need some hiking shoes that protect my ankles a bit more. I know this is a bit of a stretch, but, knowing Christ is not something we try and find out he doesn't quite meet our needs. He meets all our needs.

The author of Hebrews takes a great deal of time to explain the importance of Christ as our High Priest. I think it is very important that he reminds us that Christ meets our need. We don't come to him and suddenly realize he isn't enough. He is holy. He is our holiness. He is blameless, pure, set apart of sinners (us) and he is exalted above the heavens. His death on the cross, his intercession at the right hand of the Father, meets our need. 

Our need is to be reconciled with the Father, our Creator. Christ not only brings us back, but, he also keeps us. We are now part of the family, brought back home. He ever lives to intercede for us. He is right now...

Completely and Always

but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Hebrews 7:24-25 NIV

The fact that Jesus' priesthood is permanent leads to two wonderful truths. First, that he is able to save us completely and secondly, that he ever lives to intercede for us. 

The completeness of his saving work assures us that whatever the depths of sin his death on the cross covers us. The completeness of his salvation also deals with time because he lives forever as our High Priest. The past, the present, and the future are all cover by his grace. 

The comfort of knowing that he is always interceding on our behalf encourages us to press on and never give up. You see, there is no time where he steps away and comes back and is surprised to find us is the mess we are in.  Right now he is interceding for you.