Devotional Thoughts on Hebrews
Grace to You (Hebrews 13:25)
“Grace be with you all. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:25, AV) When I was in school, we learned how to write a formal letter. We would begin by writing, “Dear Mr.” or some other title and then the letter. At the conclusion we were taught to write, “Sincerely,” and then our name. It seemed quite simple and…
United We Stand (Hebrews 13:23-24)
“Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you. Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.” (Hebrews 13:23–24, AV) The phrase, “United we stand, divided we fall,” has had a place of prominence…
Landing the Plane (Hebrews 13:22)
“And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.” (Hebrews 13:22, AV) One of the things that pilots must master in their training is how to land an airplane. I’ve never flown a plane, but can imagine that the most difficult part of…
Pastor’s Prayer (Hebrews 13:20-21)
“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory…
Parishioner’s Prayer (Hebrews 13:18-19)
“Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.” (Hebrews 13:18–19, AV) My wife is a prayer warrior who faithfully prays every day. I am convinced that her…
Folly of Rebellion (Hebrews 13:17)
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:17, AV) In my day, I have seen some pastors that truly lacked joy.…
To Please God (Hebrews 13:15-16)
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 13:16, ESV) As a young boy, one of the things that I sought was to please my father. He often asked me to help him with projects. Now, I was kind of a lazy young…
Out of the Closet (Hebrews 13:15)
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.” (Hebrews 13:15, NIV84) Years ago, I worked for a company that made industrial printing equipment. My job was to oversee the operation of field service and engineering in the United States. Once I needed to…
The Privilege (Hebrews 13:10-12)
“We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the…
Follow the Leader (Hebrews 13:7-9)
“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13:7, ESV) When I was a child, we did not have all the toys and things that kids have today to keep them occupied. We played games outside. As a…
Jehovah Jireh (Hebrews 13:5-6)
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”” (Hebrews 13:5, ESV) I read a story about a woman who was married to a man who loved money more than anything else. The man had amassed and…
Marriage and Sexuality (Hebrews 13:4)
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” (Hebrews 13:4, ESV) The other day, I saw a post from a so-called church. It said, “The Bible isn’t the Word of God” but it was, “a product of community.” After…
Sacrifice of Love (Hebrews 13:1-3)
“Let brotherly love continue.” (Hebrews 13:1, AV) One of the things that just broke my heart in the pastorate was when parishioners in the church who professed to be Christians just could not get along. It was so frustrating when I tried to get two believers to settle their differences and they were just too…
Stirred not Shaken (Hebrews 12:25-29)
“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 television…
Heed the Warning (Hebrews 12:25)
“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 label…
Terror to Reverence (Hebrews 12:18-24)
“(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 of…
Responsibilities (Hebrews 12:15-17)
“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 what…
Lasting Influence (Hebrews 12:12-15a)
“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 instances…
Discipline Benefits (Hebrews 12:9-11)
“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,…
Discipline and Love (Hebrews 12:5-8)
“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 Proverbs…
The Supreme Witness (Hebrews 12:2-4)
“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.…
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 the…
The Endurance Race (Hebrews 12:1-2) Part 1
“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 the…
Something Better (Hebrews 11:39-40)
“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.” (Hebrews 11:39–40, AV) Some people are short-term focused and others are long-term focused. Some time back, Chris and I renovated our kitchen. We worked…
Faith Endures (Hebrews 11:35-38)
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…
Faith Accomplishes (Hebrews 11:32-34)
“And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the…
Ignoble to Noble (Hebrews 11:31)
“By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.” (Hebrews 11:31, AV) It was a Sunday afternoon. I was with a couple Christian men conducting ministry in the state prison. We were to preach the gospel and trust the Lord to do a miraculous…
Faith is the Victory (Hebrews 11:29-31)
“By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.” (Hebrews 11:29–30, AV) John H. Yates wrote a great hymn titled, “Faith is the Victory.” The first stanza goes as…
Lifesaving Stations (Hebrews 11:28)
“Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.” (Hebrews 11:28, AV) I currently live on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Here we have a beautiful, but sometimes treacherous coastline. When the winds kick up from the right direction, the surf can become…
Faith Conquers Fear (Hebrews 11:23-27)
“By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” (Hebrews 11:27, AV) Over a hundred verses throughout the Bible exhort us to not be afraid and to have courage. True faith is something that takes ordinary people and moves them to great heights…
Faith Forsakes (Hebrews 11:24-27)
“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto…
The Higher Ground (Hebrews 11:23)
“By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.” (Hebrews 11:23, AV) On June 4, 2019, Pastor David Lynn was arrested in Toronto, Canada for preaching the gospel. Apparently, there was a group…
Steadfast Faith (Hebrews 11:20-22)
“By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.” (Hebrews 11:22, AV) I had a pastor once who passed on this quote to me. “If your faith fizzles out in the end, it was flawed from the beginning.” His point was that…
Divine Providence (Hebrews 11:17-19)
“By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:” (Hebrews 11:17–18, AV) Sometimes in life we hit situations that make us scratch our heads. These are things that…
Holy Pursuits (Hebrews 11:13-16)
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” (Hebrews 11:13, AV) The longer I live and see the moral degradation of our culture, the more I realize how…
All Things are Possible (Hebrews 11:11-12)
“Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.” (Hebrews 11:11, AV) When I was the director of single adult ministries at a church in Savannah Georgia the single adult praise team was having an…
The Great Adventure (Hebrews 11:8-10)
“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” (Hebrews 11:8, AV) In 1992 Steven Curtis Chapman introduced a song titled, “The Great Adventure.” The lyrics speak of the exciting adventure upon which…
Faith Distinguishes (Hebrews 11:7)
“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” (Hebrews 11:7, AV) Shortly after the Lord saved me in 1983, a group…
Pleasing God (Hebrews 11:5-6)
“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he…
The Heart of Worship (Hebrews 11:4)
“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” (Hebrews 11:4, AV) In the late 1990’s, Matt Redmond wrote a song, “Heart of Worship.” The story behind the song is…
Faith Examples (Hebrews 11:2-3)
“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” (Hebrews 11:3, AV) When we examine the New Testament, we come across a person named Thomas. We commonly refer to him as doubting Thomas, and for good…
The Foundation (Hebrews 11:1)
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1, AV) Having done some home renovation work, one of the things that Chris and I like to do is watch shows on home restoration. There are shows about people who purchase older homes and completely redo them from…
No Middle Ground (Hebrews 10:37-39)
The parent church for our church plant in Savannah Georgia decided to go through the process of making a name change. The church was located on Middleground Road in Savannah. So, one of the names considered was Middle Ground Baptist Church. This would have been an unfortunate choice since the connotation of middle-ground is a…
We Cannot Lose (Hebrews 10:32-36)
“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” (Hebrews 10:35–36, AV) Jim Eliot was one of five Christian missionaries who set out on a mission to evangelize the Huaorani people of…
Hands of God (Hebrews 10:30-31)
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31, AV) In July 1741, a theologian and pastor named Jonathan Edwards compiled and preached a sermon titled “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” It was a sermon that had tremendous influence in the Great Awakening of 1730-1755.…
Far Worse (Hebrews 10:28-29)
“Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” (Hebrews 10:29, KJV 1900) Back in the days of Hi-fidelity…
Knowledge (Hebrews 10:26-31)
“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” (Hebrews 10:26–27, KJV 1900) I came into this world in 1951 when there was a deadly and…
Gathering (Hebrews 10:24-25)
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24–25, KJV 1900) I have been involved in churches since 1983, some…
Holding Fast (Hebrews 10:23)
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” (Hebrews 10:23, KJV 1900) When I was a young adult, my dad organized a fishing trip to the Chesapeake Bay for striped bass with a group of his fishing buddies. When we arrived at the spot, it was…
Since . . . Let us (Hebrews 10:19-24)
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:22, KJV 1900) One time I received a promotion from the position of plant engineer to plant manager in a large printing plant. Yes, I was…
Opening the Curtain (Hebrews 10:19-20)
“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;” (Hebrews 10:19–20, KJV 1900) When I lived up in New Hampshire, one of the things I noticed was that in…
Confidence (Hebrews 10:19-21)
“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;” (Hebrews 10:19–20, KJV 1900) In nearly all my adult life, from being a military officer, to a manager in industry,…
Paid in Full (Hebrews 10:18)
“Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.” (Hebrews 10:18, KJV 1900) Once something is paid it is paid. Years ago, I worked for a company in Zurich Switzerland as Manager of Engineering and Service in their U.S. field service office. One of the companies to which we sold a…
The Witness (Hebrews 10:15-17)
“Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,” (Hebrews 10:15, KJV 1900) One of my assignments in the Army was as a Company Executive Officer in a tank battalion. Once, while on a field exercise one of our tanks broke down and needed to be towed…
Footstool (Hebrews 10:13-14)
“From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:13–14, KJV 1900) Since the fall, the world has been full of injustices. Lawless people have always taken advantage of others. A conman takes an elderly widow’s savings. The business man…
A Single Act (Hebrews 10:11-14)
“But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God . . . For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:13-14, KJV 1900) One of Newton’s laws of motion is that “For every action there is an…
Holiness (Hebrews 10:10, 14)
“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10, KJV 1900) When I joined the military in 1974, I was set apart as an officer and soldier in the United States Army. Yet, I was still far from being able to serve in…
God’s Desire (Hebrews 10:5-9)
“Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.” (Hebrews 10:8–9, KJV 1900) Often,…
Remembrance (Hebrews 10:1-3)
“But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:3–4, KJV 1900) It is possible for people to have bad memories. I often have a problem with names. Faces I can remember,…
Judgement and Hope (Hebrews 9:27)
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Hebrews 9:27–28, KJV 1900) I have served on several courtroom juries. In…
Finished (Hebrews 9:23-26)
“for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Hebrews 9:26, ESV) When I lived in the snowbelt, keeping my black pickup truck clean…
Forgiveness (Hebrews 9:15-22)
“Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Hebrews 9:22, ESV) Imagine for a second that you committed a crime and in a court of law, the judge pronounced a judgement that you had to pay a million dollars or spend…
The Inheritance (Hebrews 9:15-21)
(My apologies for not putting this post out yesterday. Somehow I forgot to post it) “For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive.” (Hebrews 9:17, ESV) Sometimes preachers look for an illustration to explain things. Here, the author of…
First Covenant (Hebrews 9:15)
“Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.” (Hebrews 9:15, ESV) There have been plenty of times when I wished I could somehow set the clock…
Purified for Worship (Hebrews 9:13-14)
“For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”…
Substance over Symbolism (Heb 9:11-12)
“But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal…
The Conscience (Hebrews 9:9-10)
“According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper” (Hebrews 9:9, ESV) In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, Macbeth murders Duncan. Following the murder Macbeth makes this statement. “Whence is that knocking? How is’t with me, when every noise appalls me? What hands are here! Ha, they pluck out…
The Way (Hebrews 9:6-10)
“The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:” (Hebrews 9:8, KJV 1900) Years ago, while living in New Hampshire, I needed to get a part for the garage door opener in our newly purchased home. The store…
Give Thanks (Ephesians 5:18-20)
“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” (Ephesians…
Unintentional Sins Part 2 (Hebrews 9:7)
“but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people.” (Hebrews 9:7, ESV) We tend to be forgetful people. I have a problem with names and, knowing this, I must work on…
Unintentional Sins Part 1 (Hebrews 9:7)
“but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people.” (Hebrews 9:7, ESV) The author of Hebrews here refers to the Old Testament regulations under the law. Specifically, he writes of the…
Excluded or Included (Hebrews 9:6-7)
“Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year” (Hebrews 9:6–7, KJV 1900) In life, there are certain exclusive clubs in which only the members can enter. Kids often set these types…
The Mercy Seat (Hebrews 9:3-5)
“And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; And over it the cherubims of…
The Altar of Incense (Hebrews 9:3-4)
“And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant” (Hebrews 9:3–4a, KJV 1900) I am grateful to have a wife who has a gift of faith that is manifested in intercessory prayer. She maintains a meticulous prayer journal and…
The Holiest Place (Hebrews 9:3-4)
“Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant” (Hebrews 9:3–4, ESV) Often you run into things that require much research because a casual observation is perplexing. Imagine the consternation of the ancients that looked towards the horizon and…
Bread of Life (Hebrews 9:2)
“For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.” (Hebrews 9:2, KJV 1900) When I was a young man, my dad was really into surf-fishing. We spent nearly every weekend during the fishing season at the beach. The wife of one…
The Lampstand (Hebrews 9:1-2)
“For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place.” (Hebrews 9:2, ESV) I remember when I was in the military having to do nighttime patrols. Sometimes it was so dark that the only thing you could…
Superior Sanctuary (Hebrews 9:1)
“Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness.” (Hebrews 9:1, ESV) My wife and I have made many moves during our marriage. To the best of my knowledge we have moved somewhere around eleven times and have purchased seven different houses in these moves. Some of the homes…
Out with the Old (Hebrews 8:13)
“In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” (Hebrews 8:13, ESV) In business, I have often found that some people just do not listen. You may tell them how to do something based on years of experience and…
New Blessings (Hebrews 8:10-12)
“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach…
Israel’s New Covenant (Hebrews 8:8-9)
“For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:” (Hebrews 8:8, KJV 1900) When I was a young boy my mother would get me one of those connect the dots books. I…
Covenant Deficiency (Hebrews 8:6-9)
“But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.” (Hebrews 8:6, KJV 1900) As a degreed Mechanical Engineer, I worked in machine design. I once worked as a Plant Engineer in a printing plant. They had a…
The Point (Hebrews 8:1-5)
“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;” (Hebrews 8:1, KJV 1900) Often may wife and I will watch mystery shows on the television. We kind of try to…
Better Sacrifice (Hebrews 7:26-28)
“Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.” (Hebrews 7:27, KJV 1900) Certain things are better than others. One reason that we classify something as better has to do with its…
The Guarantee (Hebrews 7:22-28)
“This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.” (Hebrews 7:22, ESV) What is my guarantee? Often in life, we will ask this question. I knew a person who purchased a mattress that had a moneyback guarantee if for any reason they were dissatisfied with it. They were dissatisfied and when they attempted to get…
The Oath (Hebrews 7:20-22)
“And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)” (Hebrews 7:20–21, KJV 1900) In 1974, I…
Best Qualified (Hebrews 7:15-19)
“And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.” (Hebrews 7:15–16, KJV 1900) When I worked in business management, I was often tasked with hiring people. In…
A Change in the Law (Hebrews 7:12-14)
“For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.” (Hebrews 7:12, KJV 1900) In anything it is difficult to make changes. I guess there are many reasons for this as people often resist change. However, even when they do not resist, change is still difficult. The reason is…
Perfection (Hebrews 7:11-14)
“If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?” (Hebrews 7:11, KJV 1900) There are many jobs in which there is little job satisfaction.…
Greater Priesthood (Hebrews 7:4-10)
“Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.” (Hebrews 7:4, KJV 1900) When sports enthusiasts get together, they often talk about which player throughout history was the greatest. Who was the greatest batter? Who was the greatest quarterback? Who was the greatest boxer or…
Royal Priesthood (1 Peter 2:9)
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (1 Peter 2:9, KJV 1900) On the last post, I looked at Jesus as an eternal king priest, after the…
The Priest King (Hebrews 7:1-4)
1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of…
Validated as Priest (Hebrews 7:1-4)
1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of…
Our Firm Anchor (Hebrews 6:19-20)
“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 6:19–20, KJV 1900) Years ago, I purchased a 16-foot 1959 mahogany boat.…
Be Steadfast (Hebrews 6:16-18)
“. . . by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.” (Hebrews 6:18, ESV) The year 2020 has been a doozy. In my lifetime, I cannot remember a year like this.…
The Greatest (Hebrews 6:13-15)
“For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,” (Hebrews 6:13, KJV 1900) In my adult life, I have served on several courtroom juries. Every witness was sworn in. The process used to include putting your hand on a Bible and raising the right hand and…
Preacher’s Desire (Hebrews 6:11-12)
“And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:11–12, KJV 1900) Someone asked me once, “What charged my ministerial battery?” for many ministers…
Labors Not in Vain (Hebrews 6:9-10)
“But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” (Hebrews 6:9–10, KJV 1900) One of…
Soil’s Yield (Hebrews 6:7-8)
“For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.” (Hebrews 6:7–8, KJV 1900) If there…
The Apostate (Hebrews 6:6)
“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened . . . If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” (Hebrews 6:4–6, KJV 1900) Often in families, there is a severe division between members.…
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Renewing the Heart 