Hey Guys! Sorry about yesterday! It was a little bit of a weird day and before I knew it the day was over and nothing was posted! Well, lets get down to business!!
Hebrews 3
7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.
10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
This passage is clear! WE MUST NOT HARDEN OUR HEARTS~! How do we get to the point where we let our heart get hard? Our Heart gets hard when we do not obey or listen to the voice of God. Basically, when we dont believe!!
Put it this way: If you really believed that your house was burning down, you would stop watching TV and run out!! If you really truly believed that your plane was going to crash, you would NOT get on it...
The truth is that if we TRULY believe that God is our creator and ruler and we are created to live our lives for His glory... then we would strive for that... For to often the proof of our actions says that we just really dont believe like we say we do...
They say the proof is in the pudding, well James says: the proof of your salvation is in the fruit of your actions... so you better ask yourself... Do you really believe? Do your actions show it?
THURSDAY, February 26th, 2009
Hey Everyone! I hope you enjoyed the service last night! I was a little disappointed that several of our regular attenders were not there, If you did not get to see that message last night, then ask me for the link and I will give it to you!
Hebrews 3
1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
This is such a cool passage! Do you remember Moses? What did He do? Well, if you remember, back in Exodus Moses lived in Egypt and he became the man that God used to free the jews from slavery in Egypt. Remember Moses telling the Pharaoh: LET MY PEOPLE GO!!!
It could be said that Moses was the "savior" of the jews!! Moses obeyed God and gave up his position in Egypt to become the savior of the people of Israel. Did you catch that?
Well there is a problem, when Christ came, the Jews had a rough time trusting that Jesus was the messiah, because they had different expectations. It was easier for them to look back at their great great great great... grandparents and trust in Moses as savior than it was for them to look ahead and accept Christ.
This passage was written to show them that they have a better savior that Moses, and His name is Jesus Christ. Moses did nothing for the jews of that day, nor does moses do anything for the Jews of today... But they still give Him glory. Hebrews 3 makes it clear that WE HAVE A BETTER SAVIOR THAN MOSES! He freed some from bondage, our Savior, Jesus Christ frees all who will accept Him!!
It is easy to see some of the illustrations that are taught here: When you see an incredible house, you don't think: "Good Job House, You are Incredible" NO! That is silly! You think: "Good Job Builder that house is incredible!"
In the same way, we should not respect persons and look at them and think about how incredible they are in and of themselves... No, we should look at greatness and thank God for it. We must glorify the builder not the building!
The lesson is this: It is so easy to glorify, love, worship, the things of this life... girlfriends, boyfriends, tv shows, internet, iPhones :), but the fact is that we should not worship our possessions, or our "people" Instead we should glorify and worship the ultimate creator... our savior!!! Jesus Christ!
Hebrews 3
1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
This is such a cool passage! Do you remember Moses? What did He do? Well, if you remember, back in Exodus Moses lived in Egypt and he became the man that God used to free the jews from slavery in Egypt. Remember Moses telling the Pharaoh: LET MY PEOPLE GO!!!
It could be said that Moses was the "savior" of the jews!! Moses obeyed God and gave up his position in Egypt to become the savior of the people of Israel. Did you catch that?
Well there is a problem, when Christ came, the Jews had a rough time trusting that Jesus was the messiah, because they had different expectations. It was easier for them to look back at their great great great great... grandparents and trust in Moses as savior than it was for them to look ahead and accept Christ.
This passage was written to show them that they have a better savior that Moses, and His name is Jesus Christ. Moses did nothing for the jews of that day, nor does moses do anything for the Jews of today... But they still give Him glory. Hebrews 3 makes it clear that WE HAVE A BETTER SAVIOR THAN MOSES! He freed some from bondage, our Savior, Jesus Christ frees all who will accept Him!!
It is easy to see some of the illustrations that are taught here: When you see an incredible house, you don't think: "Good Job House, You are Incredible" NO! That is silly! You think: "Good Job Builder that house is incredible!"
In the same way, we should not respect persons and look at them and think about how incredible they are in and of themselves... No, we should look at greatness and thank God for it. We must glorify the builder not the building!
The lesson is this: It is so easy to glorify, love, worship, the things of this life... girlfriends, boyfriends, tv shows, internet, iPhones :), but the fact is that we should not worship our possessions, or our "people" Instead we should glorify and worship the ultimate creator... our savior!!! Jesus Christ!
WEDNESDAY, February 25th, 2009
Hello Everyone! Great Job Yesterday! We had a great time at Buffalo Wild Wings last night! I wish everyone could have joined us! Well, tonight is the night! I am very excited about Suncoast Youth Group and everything we have planned tonight! Make sure you attend!
Hebrews 2:
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Satan had the power of death because our God is a God of Justice, but Jesus Came and defeated Satan, so that Satan could not hold us in bondage anymore!! That is great stuff and I was going to spend most of the devotions today talking about that, until I got to the last verse: Verse 18!
What an incredible verse! It explains to us that Christ went to the cross ans suffered for us, and was even tempted for u! WHY? So that He could soccour them that are tempted!! GREAT! ... BUT WHAT IN THE WORLD DOES SUCCOURED MEAN? Well, if you look it up, you will see that succoured literally means to give aid to, or to HELP!!
God knew that we would face difficult circumstances and tough temptations, and that is why God said, I was tempted so that I could help you defeat your temptations! God knows what temptation is like, He has experienced it first hand. He hung on the cross, while He could have called 10,000 angels to come and destroy all of His scoffers, and all of his false accusers.
THAT IS WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE!!! I would have proved to them I was who I said I was, but that would have meant, coming off the cross. Christ gave the perfect example of resisting temptation, and enduring trials, enduring tough times, and He did it all for US!!! Maybe we should follow His example by not giving in to temptation! Maybe we should realize that Christ suffered for us, so if that means we have to suffer a little bit for Him, HE IS WORTH IT!
Hebrews 2:
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Satan had the power of death because our God is a God of Justice, but Jesus Came and defeated Satan, so that Satan could not hold us in bondage anymore!! That is great stuff and I was going to spend most of the devotions today talking about that, until I got to the last verse: Verse 18!
What an incredible verse! It explains to us that Christ went to the cross ans suffered for us, and was even tempted for u! WHY? So that He could soccour them that are tempted!! GREAT! ... BUT WHAT IN THE WORLD DOES SUCCOURED MEAN? Well, if you look it up, you will see that succoured literally means to give aid to, or to HELP!!
God knew that we would face difficult circumstances and tough temptations, and that is why God said, I was tempted so that I could help you defeat your temptations! God knows what temptation is like, He has experienced it first hand. He hung on the cross, while He could have called 10,000 angels to come and destroy all of His scoffers, and all of his false accusers.
THAT IS WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE!!! I would have proved to them I was who I said I was, but that would have meant, coming off the cross. Christ gave the perfect example of resisting temptation, and enduring trials, enduring tough times, and He did it all for US!!! Maybe we should follow His example by not giving in to temptation! Maybe we should realize that Christ suffered for us, so if that means we have to suffer a little bit for Him, HE IS WORTH IT!
TUESDAY, February 24th, 2009
Alright guys! What an encouraging day you guys made yesterday! Thanks for doing you devotions! You all are great! Well, I will post some comments today about what you guys talked about yesterday!
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Michael... nice try, but a lost person will not see a good, growing, "real" Christian, and decide to never look at Christ... An illustration does not mean that Every single concept that you ever throw at it will align, it simply means the ones that were mentioned have similarities... The sun is really reall really hot, but that doesnt mean that when you become a Christian you become really really really hot! Think about that :)
Victoria: It is so great to see you on here! Great thoughts on yesterdays verses by the way: Hey, have you gone by our house yet?
Tyler: Wow! GREAT THOUGHTS on verse 2 man! That was a great application!
Michael: Very wise stuff man! I feel the same way, when I get in the word at night, I feel like I forget it all before the next morning! Way to "Do Hard Things"! It is not fun to get up early to do devotions, but it is worth it!
David: Can you please explain the joke to me? I don't get it...
ALRIGHT GUYS ON TO THE DEVOTIONS!!! Hey, some of us are going to go to Buffalo Wild Wings tonight around 7ish, so call me if you want to go with us!
Hebrews 2
1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.
6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him?
7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.
9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Now this passage is incredible... I think I could write a mini book about it, but then you guys wont have time to read it so I will keep it as short and to the point as possible! Verse one begins by talking about how we must give earnest, passionate heed or attention to the "things which we have heard" (the reading, preaching and teaching of the word of God). If we do not stay in Gods word do you see what happens to us? "We slip". It is pretty clear, I have seen many people "slip" in the past year because they have not "stuck to the truths" in the word of God. Passtionately or earnestly we must STAY IN GODS WORD EVERY DAY!!
The next part explains, if we will be punished for our sin, then how shall we escape , if we neglect salvation? How can we live out the wonderful life that God has planned for us if we are neglecting Him, his Salvation, and His word? WE CANT!!!
Now, here is my favorite part... Starting in verse 6, we see that someone asked a question: "What is man, that You, God are mindful of Him?" in other words... God, why do you care about us?? Why did you make Him just barely lower than the Angels... (which is temporarily by the way because the Bible says that one day we will judge the angels)
Why did you make man and give Him so much glory and honor, and why did you set man above all of the works of your hands???
I can imagine the writers thoughts: Why did you place all your bets on mankind? Why did you "invest" everything on man... you knew that Adam would screw up in the garden of Eden, you knew that mankind would turn away from you and destroy this wonderful life that you had planned for them... If you knew all of that, then why did you pick mankind to show your glory??
then it says this: BUT WE SEE JESUS!! The perfect man! The one who came to fix what Adam and Adams seed had destroyed. We see Jesus who came and made himself a man, "one lower than the angels" although He could never be lower than the angels, he created them all and gave them all of their powers...
We see Jesus! He is the answer to all of our questions! He is the solution to our problems, he is the only way to Salvations!! Do you see Him?
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Michael... nice try, but a lost person will not see a good, growing, "real" Christian, and decide to never look at Christ... An illustration does not mean that Every single concept that you ever throw at it will align, it simply means the ones that were mentioned have similarities... The sun is really reall really hot, but that doesnt mean that when you become a Christian you become really really really hot! Think about that :)
Victoria: It is so great to see you on here! Great thoughts on yesterdays verses by the way: Hey, have you gone by our house yet?
Tyler: Wow! GREAT THOUGHTS on verse 2 man! That was a great application!
Michael: Very wise stuff man! I feel the same way, when I get in the word at night, I feel like I forget it all before the next morning! Way to "Do Hard Things"! It is not fun to get up early to do devotions, but it is worth it!
David: Can you please explain the joke to me? I don't get it...
ALRIGHT GUYS ON TO THE DEVOTIONS!!! Hey, some of us are going to go to Buffalo Wild Wings tonight around 7ish, so call me if you want to go with us!
Hebrews 2
1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.
6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him?
7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.
9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Now this passage is incredible... I think I could write a mini book about it, but then you guys wont have time to read it so I will keep it as short and to the point as possible! Verse one begins by talking about how we must give earnest, passionate heed or attention to the "things which we have heard" (the reading, preaching and teaching of the word of God). If we do not stay in Gods word do you see what happens to us? "We slip". It is pretty clear, I have seen many people "slip" in the past year because they have not "stuck to the truths" in the word of God. Passtionately or earnestly we must STAY IN GODS WORD EVERY DAY!!
The next part explains, if we will be punished for our sin, then how shall we escape , if we neglect salvation? How can we live out the wonderful life that God has planned for us if we are neglecting Him, his Salvation, and His word? WE CANT!!!
Now, here is my favorite part... Starting in verse 6, we see that someone asked a question: "What is man, that You, God are mindful of Him?" in other words... God, why do you care about us?? Why did you make Him just barely lower than the Angels... (which is temporarily by the way because the Bible says that one day we will judge the angels)
Why did you make man and give Him so much glory and honor, and why did you set man above all of the works of your hands???
I can imagine the writers thoughts: Why did you place all your bets on mankind? Why did you "invest" everything on man... you knew that Adam would screw up in the garden of Eden, you knew that mankind would turn away from you and destroy this wonderful life that you had planned for them... If you knew all of that, then why did you pick mankind to show your glory??
then it says this: BUT WE SEE JESUS!! The perfect man! The one who came to fix what Adam and Adams seed had destroyed. We see Jesus who came and made himself a man, "one lower than the angels" although He could never be lower than the angels, he created them all and gave them all of their powers...
We see Jesus! He is the answer to all of our questions! He is the solution to our problems, he is the only way to Salvations!! Do you see Him?
MONDAY, February 23rd, 2009
ok, I hope you are ready for this, this will not be an easy book, but there are some incredible truths in it, so we must read it!
If you dont understand the whole thing, look for one or two verses that jump out at you!
Hebrews 1
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
6 And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
That is some pretty deep stuff, but at least one message is very clear, God's son, Jesus Christ, who owns all of creation, came to this earth and lived a rightoeus life a pur and sinless life then died on the cross to pay for our sins!! Nothing compares to His glory, not even the most incredible Angels!
I love the first part, where it explains "being in the brightness fo His glory", when was the last time that you looked at the sun? Well, when you look at the sun for a second, it effects you, it will make your eyes water, it will make you squint involuntary, it will even leave an impression of the same image in your sight as you look away!
Gods glory is supposed to do all of this in our life, when people look at us, they are supposed to see the Glory of Christ revealed through us! They are supposed to be effected by what they see, We should let Christ burn so bright in our lives that we cannopt help but be a testimony to those around us!! The lost cannot HELP BUT SEE US!!!
If you dont understand the whole thing, look for one or two verses that jump out at you!
Hebrews 1
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
6 And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
That is some pretty deep stuff, but at least one message is very clear, God's son, Jesus Christ, who owns all of creation, came to this earth and lived a rightoeus life a pur and sinless life then died on the cross to pay for our sins!! Nothing compares to His glory, not even the most incredible Angels!
I love the first part, where it explains "being in the brightness fo His glory", when was the last time that you looked at the sun? Well, when you look at the sun for a second, it effects you, it will make your eyes water, it will make you squint involuntary, it will even leave an impression of the same image in your sight as you look away!
Gods glory is supposed to do all of this in our life, when people look at us, they are supposed to see the Glory of Christ revealed through us! They are supposed to be effected by what they see, We should let Christ burn so bright in our lives that we cannopt help but be a testimony to those around us!! The lost cannot HELP BUT SEE US!!!
SUNDAY, February 22nd, 2009
Hey you guys! Sorry for the late post today, I will post something right now, but check back early in the morning and I will have the devos on for you!!
Have a great day tomorrow!!
Have a great day tomorrow!!
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