What Do You Do When Someone Wants to Start A New Program at Church? Hebrews 10:24

Sometimes people come up with a project or a program and we are sure it misses the point or purpose of the church. How do we handle them and their proposed project?

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Hebrews 10:24.

The first half of this verse is about us.

LET US
Life is full of choices. We must choose to be people who are focused on the wellbeing of others. The words, let us, is like an invitation, or a call to action. We can't have the attitude that it is the minister's job to encourage others to service, it is for all of us to do.

CONSIDER
We need to think about ways of encouraging others. We can't just rely upon random opportunities to encourage people. We need to make plans to, and set goals.

SPUR
A spur causes the horse to move forward. Soldiers would spur their horses into battle when the noise would cause the animal to flee another way. It is a painful goad which cannot be ignored. Some translations use the word, stir, which suggest bringing the good up to the top of the pot. We, humans, have a tendency to get settled and need frequent reminders to continue to serve Christ. Sometimes those reminders are uncomfortable.

ONE ANOTHER
We do not just spur our brothers in faith but we get to be spurred by them too. None of us are free from the need to be encouraged to serve God.

LOVE AND GOOD DEEDS
We don't do good deeds and act in love to obtain a good standing with God, but because he has made us able to stand through the blood of Christ.

Love and good deeds reflect the nature of Christ in us. We want to do them because he did them we are his hands and feet in this world.

WHAT ABOUT THAT PROJECT?
The church should not be an idle place- it should be a place of activity, good works, service, and spiritual warfare. We must give and receive encouragement if the church is to move ahead and influence this generation. No time is better than any another for encouraging. Everyone who serves should be encouraged in their efforts.

Maybe the new project someone wants to start will fall flat or misses the mark of the church's mission, but we should resolve to encourage people in whatever good work they are doing; and if they are not doing any we should all the more encourage them to take up the command to love and serve through some good work

(c)Adron Dozat 1/18/15

What Can You Do When You Doubt Your Calling?

We may feel called by God to do something, but after a while, it looks like it is unraveling; we get discouraged and wonder if it is worth it. The Bible gives an example of someone who went through all that and made it to the hall of God's faithful.

"By faith Abraham when called to go to a place, he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going." Hebrews. 11:8.

FAITH

God Calls Abraham 

Abraham's faith was not a sit-in the church on Sunday type of thing, but it was a go and doing kind of thing. He was called, and he went. The word faith and the word obey are both used in this verse because there is no faith where there is no obedience.

CALLED
We may hear a call from God to leave our lives behind and follow where he leads. Faith like Abraham's will go without needing to know where the end will lead to. Such faith looks not to its own wits and resources but to God's promises.

The test of Abraham's faith was the test of obedience. He did not look at the situation. He looked at God.

NOT KNOWING
Abraham may not have known where he was going, but God did. When God called Abraham, He did not tell him where he would end up, only that he was going to a land that God was going to show him. Though Abraham did not know the destination, he knew the one leading there, and that was enough.

The scriptures do not indicate that Abraham put God to the test like Gideon did or took time to think it over in fact, the indication is that Abraham obeyed swiftly.

LATER RECEIVE
Abraham's faith was not exhausted in the first efforts of going out; he dwelt in tents the rest of his life. Though he never received a palace as the owner of the estate, he kept on having faith. He has received far more than promised in heaven.

YOU 

You may feel that you have started out on something you can't finish or you won't make it to the end, but you must refresh your faith by looking anew at the Almighty who is able to do abundantly more than you need. 

(c) Adron 12/31/15

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Finding Permanence In Life. Hebrews 12:28

Our world is full of the temporary where things come and go quickly such as culture, friends, fashion, governments, and wealth. Where is something that is permanent? The Bible makes a statement that points in that direction.

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." Hebrews 12:28.

WE ARE
This is a confident pair of words.  Not "we hope" or "we wish" but it is firmly established as a fact that this is happening.

RECEIVING
Another word of affirmation is in the present tense as if it were happening now. Receiving suggests that it comes from somewhere else, as when something is given by another. We are on the receiving end of God's gift of salvation through faith in Jesus. It is not something we make ourselves, but we must trust in the one who gives it.

NOT BE SHAKEN
A kingdom that cannot be shaken has never been seen in human history but this kingdom is not human- it is God's.  We are put in a place that cannot be torn down or threatened.

BE THANKFUL
God has given us status in His kingdom: it is right and morally imperative that we be thankful.

WORSHIP
Worship is the fruit of thankfulness, and it is the logical extension.  Thanks may come from the mind, but worship comes from deeper within us.  Our hearts and soul begin to respond to what we are saying in our minds, and worship comes out.

ACCEPTABLE
Worship should be done with reverence, awe, and even fear. We have much to be thankful for, but the greatest to be thankful for is the person of the Almighty. We must not only think about the wondrous blessings He has given us in Christ; we must also remember He is the High and Holy One whom angels obey.

The world around us will change, but God's love will not, and the eternal life he gives in Christ will never change, be taken, or lost.  Let us worship in word and deed for our wondrous blessing in Christ.

To read Hebrews 12 in its entirety click here.

To learn how you can come to Jesus and find eternal life and meaning visit my other blog.

(c) Adron 3/2/14

Do You Ever Feel Like Giving Up On God?

Sometimes we feel like following God and being a good person is not worth it. We might ask ourselves why I should keep following the way of faith?

"Let us hold fast the confession of our faith, without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23.

LET US
This is a phrase that suggests an option. You have a choice. It is saying to choose to hold fast.

The "us" is plural and joins you and me with the fathers of the faith over the ages. This verse is written by someone who included himself in the need to be encouraged.  This means that even the saints of old struggled with the idea of giving up. You are not alone.

HOLD FAST
We not only choose to not give up we have to resolve to keep on moving ahead.

WAVERING
Wavering is going back and forth on a subject. We have to stop going back and forth going one way and then the other. We have to decide to stick with it.

We may be tempted to give up on living for God when times of testing and difficulties come, but we should hold fast and not give up.

WHY
     * Not because we are earning a reward (though we might be).
     * Not because it develops character (though it is).
     * Not because we will be ashamed for it one day (though we will).
     * Not because it is the right thing to do (though it is).
     * Not because it is giving victory to the enemy (though it is).

But because He who promised is faithful.
     * Faithful to His word
     * Faithful to His promises.
     * Faithful to the church,
     * Faithful to you.

HE PROMISED
We do not hold on to God. He holds onto us that is why it says he is faithful.  Our relationship with God is based on his promise. John 3:16.  He keeps his promise to give us eternal life, and he keeps all the other promises that go with it.  He asks for our loving gratitude and obedient service but if we fail he does not revoke the promise he gives us, we may lose our blessing but not our salvation.

Maybe you feel like giving up on God, but he will never give up on you.  It may be that you know about God but do not know him personally. To learn how you can know God in a personal way then click here to see my other blog post about finding God.

(c)Adron Dozat

How Can I Please God? Hebrews 11:6

We want to please God, but do we know how?

We ask just what does God want from us? Is there any way to know what pleases him and wins his approval? Are the answers hidden in cosmic mystery or is it so obvious we miss it?

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6, NIV*.

These words were written in the New Testament Epistle to the Hebrews, and are a key to understanding the Bible.

PERSONAL FAITH

Faith is very personal and each person must come to their own terms with it no matter what religion or creed you practice, it is not something you inherit from your parents or are taught it in school. God requires faith not because he is vain, vague, or hidden but because his purpose is for a relationship with us.  Relationships require faith and trust, not rules and regulations. Without faith, there is no relationship with God.

Because: without faith...
     * God is only a judge to be feared
     * An arbitrary Father figure
     * Or a cosmic force
     * A vague mystery
     * A stranger.

FAITH GROWS
Faith need not be the great measure: Jesus endorsed even the smallest faith as being sufficient. If one feels their faith is weak or lacking they may consider the following suggestions.

     * We must pray and ask God to help our faith.
     * We must seek out the companionship of those who live lives focused on faith
     * We must seek God in his revelation of the Word the Bible and creation.
     * We must confess our lack of or weak faith.

THE EARNEST SEEKER

God promises to reward our faith, not just the faith that says there is a God who created the universe but the faith that believes that God wants to be known and found by the creatures he made. We must seek God; the Bible tells of Adam who sinned and hid from God but we must each correct that error and look for God. God promises to be found by us when we seek him earnestly, to be earnest is to be sincere, passionate, devoted to a cause, and it is to be personally persuaded even consumed by a pursuit.

If it is impossible to please God without faith then the other side of the coin must be that by faith we may please The Almighty. Faith says I will believe the promises of what you said without wavering, doubting or compromise.

To learn more about how to have a personal relationship with God follow this link: Click Here.

To read this verse in other translations follow this link: Online Parallel Bible.

© Adron 10/5/12

What is The Christian Political View?

A Christian Political View

What does the Bible say is the best political view? Can I look to my government to fix society by law, political party, or popular vote?

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." Hebrews 12:28. NIV*.

CITIZENSHIP
When we come to Jesus we come to more than any religion can offer. We receive eternal salvation in heaven, a status as an adopted sons and daughters of God, forgiveness for all guilt and wrong. There is something more we receive- it is kingdom. Not just membership in church, or a faith community, we become citizens of God's kingdom rule. We have an identity that supersedes any allegiance forged by man or government; we are citizens of God's kingdom above all and foremost.

SHAKY GOVERNMENT
Our governments may change, topple, be conquered or collapse but the Government of the Lord God in Heaven will never fade. We have a place in an immovable kingdom. Though we watch the values and morals of society rot and crumble, and we grieve for those lost souls who have nothing else, still we put our hope in that eternal kingdom built on the foundation of Jesus' blood.

CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP
We should not sit around dreaming of blessed tomorrows, we should be busy doing the work of the kingdom. We should oppose unrighteous laws and institutions that hurt, and as good citizens we work toward a better society, because as Christians we are called to be the salt of the earth. There are many scriptures about citizenship we need to follow, such as obeying our civil authorities, praying for those in authority over us, being productive and working with our hands and many more. Christians should work for a better tomorrow and leave our posterity a healthier planet and more righteous country. We are exemplary citizens of our nations and communities because we are members of a superior kingdom which expects nothing less and of a king who deserves our all.

ALLEGIANCE
Our lives should be lives of worship and every task we do in our communities as citizens should take God into consideration with an attitude of awe and reverence. In this way we will accomplish more good than any election, politician, or national head of state ever will.

Our greater primary duty is to our King seated in Heaven, we are to give him worship and thanksgiving for the eternal kingdom we are in the process of receiving. We hope in the kingdom we are receiving by faith because God is giving away a kingdom far better than any we could make here.
To learn more about finding Jesus follow this link to my other blog: click here

*To read Hebrews 12:28 in other translations follow this link: Online Parallel Bible.

(c)Adron Dozat

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Are We Judged After We Die? Hebrews 9:27-28

What happens after we die? Do we go to heaven, nowhere, limbo, purgatory, reincarnate or some Disneyland of our own creation? Is there a final judgment and how do we pass?

THE BIBLE SAYS
"Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.." Hebrews 9:27-8, NIV.

The Epistle to the Hebrews makes no reference to purgatory, reincarnation, a second chance or universal acceptance, instead it warns of judgment but offers hope of salvation based on a relationship with Christ.

Is There a Final Judgment?

DEATH:
Death is a universal we all face. It is destiny, destiny is a place where you end up when the travel is over, and we all end up at death. Here it is obvious is that death is not the end of us only the end our earthly travel because we face judgment for which we must be aware of and posses some kind of existence in order to face that judgment.

HOW TO ESCAPE JUDGMENT:
There is only one way to pass through the judgment of a holy God; we need an acceptable, and a willing substitute who is free of condemnation. Our sins bring the danger of judgment, and sin's penalty must be satisfied. We need a Christ, one who can stand in the judgment for us with acceptable credentials to silence the judgment.

WHAT OR WHO IS CHRIST?

Judgment Satisfied

Jesus Christ is the substitute who willingly came from the Father to be the payment for our sins. He paid for any wrongdoing we committed, he paid for every good we failed to do. He took sin away and they are no longer an issue in the view of God's judgment; they are not going to be in evidence against us.  The judgment has already been paid for, it fell on him in our stead. When he stands between us and judgment it is like "Paid In Full" is written in the scars on his brow and hands.  There is no longer any condemnation for those who are in Christ.

WE MUST BE IN CHRIST:
Christ will appear again and he will bring salvation but to those who "are waiting for him." These people have a relationship with Christ. The relationship begins by faith in who he is and what he has done on our behalf.

If you want to know more about being in Christ follow this link: click here.

Thank you for visiting and reading my blog. I

(c) Adron Dozat 5/17/12