The House You're Building

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you will everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.  Hebrews 13:20-21 (ESV) We’ve come to it at last, the final chapter Hebrews.  Jesus is better.  He is a better priest of a better covenant that God had given the Israelites because it depends on the work of Christ, not the ability of the people to follow the law.  It is grace personified, eternal, unconditional favor and secure relationship for God’s people.  As we close Hebrews, chapter 13 reads like a heavenly to-do list. It’s tempting to read these passages and think, if I act this way, God will be pleased with me. If my life is marked by these habits, I will be able to show God I’m good.  It’s possible that as we read the passage, a false ...

                                             When I was a kid optical illusion books were a fad one year.  It seemed like a novelty gift you received at a white elephant gift exchange or read while waiting for the dentist.  The trick was to blur your eyes, shift your focus to behind the page and an image, that at the surface looked like dots, would appear as a solid object in 3D.  It was really hard for me to see them.  I had had eye therapy as a kid and just to focus normally was challenging.  Unlike me, friends could pick up the book and see the hidden image instantly.  I know those books really did work, as once I saw it too and I was really excited but I lost focus and the image was gone.    The same can be said for suffering.  You can see the issue multiple ways and to behold it with a divi...

When we feel far from God, has He left us, or have we left Him?   Consider Romans 8:38-39 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Will You Follow Jesus? ·          Read John 1:19-51 ·          In verse 19 we read that this section of scripture includes the testimony of John the Baptist. What two questions did the Pharisees ask John?   Who did John the Baptist say he was and what he was there to do? Why did John think Jesus was God? ·          Find all the other names for...