Today’s Bible Reading: 2 Kings 21; Hebrews 3: Hosea 14; Psalms 139
Sometimes life gets in the way of our plans and such was my day yesterday as I sat down to begin writing; so I am going to back up a bit to yesterday’s reading:
For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard,
so that we do not drift away from it -Hebrews 2:1
Why should we pay such close attention to what we have heard? Because of everything the writer of Hebrews told us in Chapter 1 about who Christ is. (see For God so Loved the World)
Why should we pay such close attention? So that we do not “drift away” from Christ. Oh, I cold never drift away is my first thought, but then as I consider just what it means to drift away I can see the danger ever present in my life. There are times when we are out in our canoe on the lake that we put much effort into paddling to get where we want to go. But sometimes we pull in our paddles and just drift where the gentle current takes us-it is amazing sometimes how far off course we can get when we do that. We can be going along just enjoying the scenery and not really paying attention to our bearings-then when we decide it is time to make headway to our end goal, well we have some work to do to get ourselves back on course. So drifting away puts me in mind of an almost imperceptible change in our lives, we may not even notice that we are drifting away as it is so subtle. We need to pay much closer attention.
Moving on to today’s reading in chapter 2 the writer continues…
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession; He was faithful to Him who appointed Him -Hebrews 3:1-2a
Consider Jesus. You know, if I want to keep from drifting away this is really good advice. In following Jesus example I too need to be faithful to God Who called me. Sounds pretty easy and then life steps in…
The writer of Hebrews goes on:
Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end. -Hebrews 3:12-14
Take Care. Encourage one another. Hold fast to the assurance we have had from the beginning. Firm until the end. I cannot be lackadaisical about my faith. I love that word by the way, defined as lacking enthusiasm and determination; carelessly lazy. Just the opposite of what Hebrews is imploring me to be. I do not think it is by accident that Psalm 139 is my closing reading for today. It is a great Psalm that I often pray my way through-the closing lines are some of the first I ever put to memory. Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts. See if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Grace, Peace, and Mercy,
Sometimes life gets in the way of our plans and such was my day yesterday as I sat down to begin writing; so I am going to back up a bit to yesterday’s reading:
For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard,
so that we do not drift away from it -Hebrews 2:1
Why should we pay such close attention to what we have heard? Because of everything the writer of Hebrews told us in Chapter 1 about who Christ is. (see For God so Loved the World)
Why should we pay such close attention? So that we do not “drift away” from Christ. Oh, I cold never drift away is my first thought, but then as I consider just what it means to drift away I can see the danger ever present in my life. There are times when we are out in our canoe on the lake that we put much effort into paddling to get where we want to go. But sometimes we pull in our paddles and just drift where the gentle current takes us-it is amazing sometimes how far off course we can get when we do that. We can be going along just enjoying the scenery and not really paying attention to our bearings-then when we decide it is time to make headway to our end goal, well we have some work to do to get ourselves back on course. So drifting away puts me in mind of an almost imperceptible change in our lives, we may not even notice that we are drifting away as it is so subtle. We need to pay much closer attention.
Moving on to today’s reading in chapter 2 the writer continues…
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession; He was faithful to Him who appointed Him -Hebrews 3:1-2a
Consider Jesus. You know, if I want to keep from drifting away this is really good advice. In following Jesus example I too need to be faithful to God Who called me. Sounds pretty easy and then life steps in…
The writer of Hebrews goes on:
Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end. -Hebrews 3:12-14
Take Care. Encourage one another. Hold fast to the assurance we have had from the beginning. Firm until the end. I cannot be lackadaisical about my faith. I love that word by the way, defined as lacking enthusiasm and determination; carelessly lazy. Just the opposite of what Hebrews is imploring me to be. I do not think it is by accident that Psalm 139 is my closing reading for today. It is a great Psalm that I often pray my way through-the closing lines are some of the first I ever put to memory. Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts. See if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Grace, Peace, and Mercy,
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