Author Archives: Steve Hankins, Th.D.

“Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28–29, AV) A few years ago, my son and I were sitting in our living room in Portsmouth NH. We were watching televisionContinue reading “Stirred not Shaken (Hebrews 12:25-29)”

“See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:” (Hebrews 12:25, AV) In 1966, the United States passed a law that mandated the inclusion of a warning labelContinue reading “Heed the Warning (Hebrews 12:25)”

“(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city ofContinue reading “Terror to Reverence (Hebrews 12:18-24)”

“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” (Hebrews 12:15, AV) As I have encountered various leaders in my journey through the military, industry and the church, I have noticed that certain leaders seem to excel in whatContinue reading “Responsibilities (Hebrews 12:15-17)”

“Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.” (Hebrews 12:12–13, AV) Occasionally we meet someone who cannot get around without help. I have had a few instancesContinue reading “Lasting Influence (Hebrews 12:12-15a)”

“For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” (Hebrews 12:10–11,Continue reading “Discipline Benefits (Hebrews 12:9-11)”

“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” (Hebrews 12:6, AV) When I was growing up, my dad was not really a church going kind of person. However, I believe that he knew one biblical concept pretty well. “Spare the rod and spoil the child.” The writer of ProverbsContinue reading “Discipline and Love (Hebrews 12:5-8)”

“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 12:2, AV) For many of us, our first reaction to injustices committed against us is retaliation.Continue reading “The Supreme Witness (Hebrews 12:2-4)”

“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, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for theContinue reading “The Endurance Race (Hebrews 12:1-2) Part 2”

“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, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for theContinue reading “The Endurance Race (Hebrews 12:1-2) Part 1”