[Hebrews 3, Proverbs 29]

H – Hebrews 3:15, “As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.””

E – Hard Hearts!

How do our hearts grow hard, unfeeling, disobedient, and cold?

Hebrews may be one of my favorite books of the Bible. It certainly holds my favorite verses (Hebrews 12:1-3). Over and over again the wilderness generation is used as an example to encourage Christians to persevere in a time of trial. 

In moments of trial it doesn’t take long for some to get stung by situations, circumstances, attitudes, and wrongdoings; resulting in a hardness of heart. Before you know it our hardened hearts lead to aimless wandering, making the things around us become habit and His Word becoming not that big of a deal.

Notice in Hebrews 3 the references to the heart and what leads to its hardness. When we refuse to listen to Truth (v.8) we loose our confidence (v.6) and begin to give in to  deception (v.13). This leads to one going astray (v.10), abandoning His ways (v.10b), and falling away (rebellion) (v.12). 

Wow!

It gets worse before it gets better. The one who’s heart is hard can not be at rest (v.11).

There is only one cure for the hardness of our hearts; we need to humble ourselves and repent. Repentance does not just mean that we feel badly about something and regret it. It means that we turn in the opposite direction. We “go completely the other way.”

So, what’s the opposite of the references listed above? We dive deep into God’s Word, being filled with the Truth of His Spirit. We have confidence in His promises that leads us to persevere in faithful obedience. It’s simple! The Bible renews our minds and brings our thoughts into conformity with God’s heart (Romans 12:2) and from there we obey what we read and hear from God (John 14:15).

A – Open up my heart. Listen for Him and to Him. Heed His Word, obey His Word, and remain confident in the work of Christ. 

Proverbs 4:23, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”

R – Lord God, thank you for giving me a heart after yours. You tore my old heart out and gave me a new one. Lord, I don’t want to allow situations, circumstances, attitudes, or wrongdoings to cause me to place stones around my heart. God, I need help. Help me to cling to the Truth of your Word. Help me to heed conviction and commandments. Help me to have strength to persevere. Help me to simply rest in the comfort of your Spirit. Help me to be like Samuel and simply say, “speak God, your servant is listening.”

In Jesus Name!

[Philippians 4, Proverbs 25]

H – Philippians 4:11, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”

E – The Secret of Contentment!

Life is full of struggles; physical, emotional, financial, etc. There are so many ups and downs, lows and highs. It’s easy for every season and circumstance to grab hold of us and take us for a ride. It’s also easy for every season and circumstance to control and dictate our feelings, attitudes, and responses, if we let it. 

Yet, Paul stated that there was a better way than being controlled by our different seasons and circumstance. The better way was and is simply Jesus. He had learned the great truth that in whatever situation he was to be content; where ever God had placed him and with whatever he had. And, it was through these different seasons and circumstances that he came to realize it was simply God who gave him the strength to keep pressing, regardless of what was going on. 

The secret of living amid life’s difficulties is simple: trusting God in such a way that one can say, I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 

A – Trust God for every provision. Rest in the strength of His presence. Keep learning to be content. 

R – Lord God, thank you for who you are. Thank you for your unchanging character. Lord, you have been so good to me. You have blessed me far more than I deserve. I see your hand at work and I don’t want to be foolish and not see it. Help me to continue to learn the secret of being content, for I know all good and perfect things come from you. You have never left me in want so help me to not panic, but simply trust you. I know I can do and face all things, through you. 

In Jesus Name!

[Ephesians 5]

H – Ephesians 5:1, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”

E – Imitate!

Anytime you see the word “therefore” you need to see what has transpired to lead the reader to this point. For the church at Ephesus, Paul reminds them that they have been forgiven in and through Christ Jesus (4:32). They are now His children and it’s time to act like it. 

Just as it is natural for an earthly child to imitate his earthly father, so should the spiritual child imitate his Heavenly Father. The word imitate comes from the word mimeomai, from which we get our word mimic. It means “to act like.”

Therefore, believers are to imitate God’s holiness in all of their conduct. Believers are to be like him, following and mimicking His example; walking in love (5:2), surrendering themselves (5:2), and obeying Him above all (avoiding sin – (5:3)).

A – There are 5 “Be” statements that caught my attention this morning. 

Be Imitators (5:1), Be Thankful (5:4), Be Light (5:8), Be Wise (5:15), and Be Filled (5:18). 

When I imitate The Lord, as His Child, I simple want to BE in Him and BE who He has called me to be. 

R – Lord God, thank you for saving me and forgiving me. Lord, walking in light of your forgiveness, help me to throw off all sinfulness that you reveal. Lord God, fill me with your Spirit, help me to walk wisely, being light in darkness, and walking in thanksgiving as an imitator of You. God, help me to discern what is pleasing to you (5:10) and follow accordingly. Help me to make the best use of the time you have and will give me (5:15). And, may my life be used for your Glory. 

In Jesus Name!

[Ephesians 1]

H – Ephesians 1:3a, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing……”

E – In Him!

Paul loved the church of Ephesus. Surrounded by a cesspool of wickedness and idolatry these faithful saints didn’t stop in their pursuit of Christ Jesus. They wanted to know Christ the Lord more, follow Him faithfully, and make His grace known to those around them, even in the midst of persecution. 

Paul wrote his letter to Ephesus to encourage them through his prayers and admonish them in the truths of God’s Word. He desired God’s Spirit to give them wisdom and discernment (1:17); having their eyes open, heart enlightened, hope renewed, and the working of His power within them (1:18-19). But first, they needed to realize who they were in Christ and what Christ had/has done for them. 

The blessings of knowing God far surpassing the knowledge of any other thing. When I am in Him I don’t have to question the realness of His presence and drawing. I have experienced His sacrificial love that He chose to show me (1:4). In Him I now understand His forgiveness and the power of His redemption (1:7). In Him I realize I have a greater purpose than pleasing myself, for I now desire to live His will for His glory (1:11-12). And because I’m in Him I don’t have to question the validity of my salvation, for I know I’m in His hands sealed for eternity. 

In Him I am blessed, chosen, redeemed, purposed, and sealed. If I know those things about who I am then the world has no dictation on who it says I am. And, I truly come to the realization greater is He who is in me than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4). 

A – Remember Who’s I am. Remember Who I am. It is in Him that I have my being, purpose, and from were all blessing flow. 

R – Lord God, thank you for the gift of salvation. God, your blessings surpass anything I can ever try to earn or achieve. Knowing you is the greatest blessing of my life. Lord, continue to help me remember that I’m yours and that you hold me in your hand. God, open the eyes of my heart that I may see you. Lord, give me the desire to be faithful to and in you above all things. Lord, thank you for saying who I am. I am yours!

In Jesus Name!

[Colossians 1, Proverbs 6]

H – Colossians 1:13–14, “[13] He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, [14] in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

E – The Gospel Changes Everything!

When you hear of someone who once was a wild child carrying about in all types of darkness be transformed by the Gospel and now they are no longer who they once were, you take notice. People start to hear. Rumors start to fly. Everyone around them takes notice. 

That was Colossae and Paul had heard about them. He heard of the establishment of this church and radical transformation. Yet, he wrote them to encourage a continuation in the Word of truth in which they heard and not give in to “other” dangerous teachings that would threaten their spiritual health. 

Which begs the question. Why do many start out strong and then seem to fade away? Could it be that there is abandonment of truth by believing teachings and other thoughts contrary to the truth of God’s Word? 

Nevertheless, there were clear evidences that the Word of truth, the Gospel, had genuinely impacted their lives and their faith in Christ Jesus (1:4) was real. The Gospel had come to them (grace and mercy) (1:6). The Gospel, by faith, had changed them to think and act differently (bear fruit) (1:6), And, the Gospel was still changing them. Their knowledge of God through Christ and His Word was continuing to increase (1:6). Their faith in Christ was active (1:7) and their love for God and people was evident (1:4). They had a new focused hope and it was no longer themselves (1:5). They were truly not who they use to be (1:13). 

Yet, Paul knew that they couldn’t stop. The Gospel had changed them, but the Gospel never stops changing. Therefore, we are always in need of increase. So, Paul makes his prayer known for this church, to admonish them to keep pressing forward. He prays for them to be filled to know God’s will, anew each day (1:9); that they would be obedient to be faithful (1:10); that they would continue to grow spiritually (both inward and outward) and be transformed through endurance and perseverance (1:10-11); and that they wouldn’t get over their salvation (1:12). 

In a nut shell Paul is saying, the Gospel has changed you, don’t let it stop changing you, for the Gospel changes everything. 

A – Increase in faith, hope, and love. Be changed, anew by the Gospel. Be filled, obedient, and transformed. Let the Gospel continue to change everything. 

R – Lord God, thank you for saving me and changing my life. I can proclaim that I’m not who I use to be. Lord, I know I’m not all I should be, in you. Would you continue to lead me in conviction, transform me through repentance, and use me to bear fruit for your great glory? God, I don’t want to get over my salvation. Keep it at the forefront of my remembrance. For I know your deliverance, redemption, and forgiveness. 

In Jesus Name!

[Acts 27, Proverbs 4]

H – Acts 27:25, “So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.”

E – Remembered Hope!

Life is full of ups and downs. Paul certainly experienced his fare share of these moments as a Christ follower. Just in the last few chapters of Acts he faced harsh unjustified criticism, chaos from stirred up crowds, beatings, imprisonments, and so forth. Yet, in the same moments he had the opportunity to rub shoulders and testify of the goodness of God to the most elites in Felix, Festus, King Agrippa, and soon to be Caesar. 

While imprisoned and sailing to Rome to meet Caesar, Paul had another one of those moments. Perceiving that this voyage should not take place due to extreme weather, he let his thoughts be known (27:10). We know, through God’s Word, those in charge cared little for what Paul had to say, until they became desperate in despair. Even Paul himself had to check himself. This crew of 276 people had not eaten for days (up to 14), they were restless from constantly positioning their vessel to withstand the storm and make it to land, and now all hope seemed to be abandoned (27:20). 

But God! God sent an angel to remind Paul of His promises. As it to say, “I’m not done with you. Remember where I’m sending you? Prepare!” 

Paul relayed this message to those on the vessel. He also used this moment of hopelessness to proclaim God’s faithfulness and his faith in God to do exactly what God said He would do. And, what did God do? Exactly what He said He would do. Even through a shipwreck, God rescued those onboard and prepared a way for Paul to go and testify to Caesar. 

A – Know whom I belong to and know whom I Worship (27:23). Have faith in His promises and know they are yes and amen (1 Corinthians 1:20). Let His promises guide me to a remembered hope, regardless if I’m on the highest mountain top or in the lowest valley. He is faithful!

R – Lord God, thank you for being my hope. You are unwavering in your promises. Thank you for at the right moments your Spirit has always guided me through my darkest seasons. You have never let me down and by faith I believe you never will. I faithfully proclaim in my heart, You Are For Me. 

In Jesus Name!