“Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach” Hebrews 13:13. Therefore connects us with what has been said previously, verse 12 calling our attention to Leviticus 16 where in verse 27 we learn that the bodies of the sin offering whose blood was used in making atonement in the holy […]
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” Hebrews 12:28. We have the hope of a future kingdom, and the first fruits of it right now through the Holy Spirit! This verse coming to us following […]
Now having laid aside those things that would impede our Christian race, Hebrews 12:1 continues, “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us”; this is constancy, it is keeping our eyes on the goal, it is not being distracted by surroundings or circumstances, it is standing our ground under the stress […]
Coming on the heels of the listing of the great heroes of faith Hebrews 12:1 says “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…” not necessarily as spectators watching us from heaven, but more likely the witness of their lives having set for us the example of their overcoming […]
“…let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works” Hebrews 10:24. As Christians we are to live and do those things that glorify God, and we are also responsible to encourage and incite one another to do the same! God has so ordained that we need one another; as Christians […]
In Hebrews 6:1 we read “Therefore leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection”. Perfection here means completeness or maturity; it is like moving from first to second grade, not repeating the first over and over again, but building on the foundation that has already been laid. 2 […]
God, in speaking to the prophet in Ezekiel 2:8 said, “…hear what I say to you…open your mouth and eat what I give you.” A message that was not only good for Ezekiel, but also for us today. How will we respond to God’s voice, will we be rebellious like the house of Israel in […]
Galatians 6:7-9 brings us a clear message using an illustration from the field of agriculture. As in agriculture you plant and cultivate the crop you want to grow and harvest, so it is with our spiritual life; the message in these verses clearly warn us against living to gratify those inherently corrupted works of the […]
Vineyards and the growing of grapes were a very important part of Israeli culture, with grapes and grape products being important commodities in their economy, the vine also being a symbol of peace and prosperity. The people thus being very familiar with viticulture and its value in their lives, God used it to describe them […]
God does not violate the human will, but the Scripture makes it very clear that from start to finish our salvation depends on Him! Philippians 2:13 says, “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” The Living Bible paraphrases it like this, “For God is […]