Jm1

Man's anger does not accomplish God's righteousness. Have you ever tried to produce righteousness through anger? That never works! 

I find that parents often will attempt to "anger" their children into right behavior. They believe that somehow their anger will cause their kids to pursue the right path. Trust me. I have tried that method. Once again, I found God's word to be true and my methods to be flawed. In fact, man's ways tend to produce the opposite results. Children parented with anger tend to become angry children. 

Love, not anger should motivate our parenting. Love is active. Anger is reactive. Notice the context for which anger is discouraged in relationships. James writes, "be quick to listen, slow to speak, and even slower to become angry." Listening is one of the greatest expressions of love.

Notice also that anger is not the sin. Sometimes anger is the most appropriate response to a particular situation. It is not anger that is sin, it is the ease for which we become angry. All of us should be SLOW to anger. QUICK to listen.

Be a listener today.

Hb13

Your life should be free from the love of money. If it is not, you are preparing yourself for all kinds of heartache. Contentment is not a factor of finally having everything I want. Rather, it is a factor of realizing I have everything I need in Christ. Are we satisfied with Christ?

How often do you make life decisions based on money? What would you be giving your life for if you weren't doing your job for money? How much money does it take for you to be content? How hard do you work to give generously to the things that really matter? These are all great questions that reveal the reality of our hearts.

In my self examination, I am coming up…selfish. There are days that I only do my job because I need a job in order to pay my bills! Some days the "work" of ministry is the last thing I would choose to do. I have learned that contentment in life is generally higher among countries who are poor than countries who are rich. I have also learned that the rich are generally the poorest when if comes to generosity. On average, christians give 2% away regardless of how much they have, whether it is 10 thousand or 10 million. Why is that?

God save us from ourselves! Help us to live lives that truly reflect that our trust is in you.

Hb12

Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness - without it no one will see the Lord. No one likes conflict, but peace relationally without holiness is the formula for people having even greater brokenness. Often love requires speaking the truth to someone even when you know it will erupt "peace" relationally. Keeping the peace is not a higher value than pursuing holiness!

In most cases, pursuing peace is a direct result of wanting to be holy (right with God). Generally, brokenness is not a result of someone not wanting to follow Jesus, but rather caused by interpersonal sin. The author of Hebrews is declaring true christian values. When possible, we should be at peace with every relationship in our lives. But we should never pursue peace at the expense of holiness! Without holiness our relationship with God is at war.

Pursue peace with all people, but never at the expense of obeying God.

Hb11

How short sighted is your faith? Faith is best seen in someone when they are not getting what they want! These heroes of faith "all died WITHOUT receiving (in their lifetime) what was promised", yet they are the examples for us to follow. 

Like most christians, I want God to do His work in my lifetime. I generally connect my "faith in God" to something very temporary. I often forget that God's perspective on my life and my perspective on my life are extremely different. When I reduce God's work to my lifetime, I am generally not living in faith. I am calling what I want God to do faith!

Faith is complete trust and confidence in God regardless of what He does specifically with me or my life. It is trusting that the life that is to come is far greater to live for than this present life. Take Moses for an example. "He chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the short-lived pleasures of sin."

All of these men and women died in faith. All of them are glad they lived, not for this life, but for the life to come. Live by faith today.

Hb10

"Let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works." Now this is a "concern" that we should all embrace!

As a pastor, one of my least favorite words is this word, "concern". Generally it goes like this. Pastor, I have a "concern" about so in so, or this or that. What that usually means is, something is going on and they don't like it and want me to do something about it. Generally the word is used because it makes people feel like the issue is coming from a sincere place in their heart. Sometimes it is. Generally it is not. What is generally true is they are saying, "I don't like this. It makes me angry. I want you to change things to make me happy."

In this passage the writer teaches us that we should be "concerned" for others and especially for the church. What should "concern" each of us should be how we can help promote love and good works! Wouldn't it be awesome if we chose to "concern" ourselves not with what bothers us, but rather with what would promote love in relationships and what would encourage others to do good works?

Now that would be awesome.

Hb9

It is difficult to imagine that Jesus offered HImself as a sacrifice for me and you. It was His perfect life, offered as a sacrifice before God, that gives us the freedom to stand in God's presence free from condemnation.

Think about the price that was paid for our relationship with God. No one has ever done anything that would compare to what Jesus has done. He exchanged His life for ours. He died a criminal's death so we could have a kings life forever. Think about the love. Choose to live a grateful life.

Hb8

If someone you know doesn't know Christ, how big of a deal is that in your relationship? Nothing is more important than knowing Christ. His desire for us is that we would share His life with others. 

There is a day coming for all of us who know Him when everyone will know Him. That day will last for eternity! That day will also represent the day when the ability to know Jesus is forever passed. For now, those of us who know HIm have an opportunity to help others to know HIm.

Be intentional in your relationships today. What a person believes about Jesus is a big deal. We should strive to know Him more and we should live to help others come to know him.

Hb7

Only Jesus saves! Based on the power of an indestructible life, He has become a guarantee for all who put their faith in Him. "He is able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them." I am so grateful my faith is in Jesus.

Everyone needs leadership. Every leader is flawed…except one. Only by placing our sincere trust in Jesus can we be saved. It was His life, His death, and His standing before God righteous that gives me an opportunity to stand before God as well. He alone saves. He is the only priest who can forgive sins and justify us before a holy God.

That is something worth worshiping Him for today.

Hb6

What "anchors" your soul? When all is said and done, what are you putting you hope in? The writer of Hebrews draws attention to the only reality that can be trusted for eternity…Jesus. "We have this hope as an anchor for our lives, safe and secure."

As the storms of life continue to push in on our lives, let them draw us to Jesus. Most things last only for a moment in time. The greatest joys rarely endure for more than a few hours, days or years. The deepest sorrows last for only a few hours, days or years. Hope in Christ endures for eternity. In the end, it is the thing that matters most.

Fix your hope on Jesus. He alone will not disappoint. 

Hb5

"Jesus is the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him." Don't be too lazy to take the time to understand and believe this. It is the greatest reality in life to discover.

Hb4

Nothing is hidden from God. All of our actions are seen by Him and we will give an account! In time, everything will be revealed. For many this is a scary thought. For those who have confessed their sin and placed there faith in Jesus, it is a comforting reality. The burden of sin is too heavy to carry. Jesus invites all of us to forsake our sin and place our faith in Him. 

We have the opportunity to truly enter into God's rest. He accomplished all of the work for us from the beginning of time. Jesus was "tested" and proven. Jesus paid for sin for all those who have placed their faith in HIm. We now have the privilege of "approaching the throne of grace with boldness". Because of Jesus, we can receive mercy and not judgement from God.

This is good news today.

Hb3

No one walks away from God intentionally. They are hardened by sin and deceptively led down that destructive path. Our job as believers is to encourage each other to walk daily and closely with Christ!

It is a fact that our lives are a natural drift AWAY from God. Nothing about our natural tendencies and desires would put us close to Him. Without Jesus we are desperately lost and without hope. Without the encouragement of others, we would be aimlessly following our own way deep into sin's destruciton.

Verse 12-13 says it well, "Watch out, brothers, so that there won't be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that departs from the living God. But encouraged each other daily, while it is still called today so that none of you is hardened by sin's deception."

Be encouraged today.

Hb2

Through Christ's death He destroyed the one holding the power of death, and freed those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. Because of Jesus' life, death and resurrection, we have nothing to fear! Jesus suffered the the ultimate penalty for sin (death) for us so that we could experience the ultimate reward of a righteous life (eternal life).

Because of Jesus, we are included in the family of God. The author of Hebrews states clearly, "Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers!" Imagine that. We are the ones in the family that truly don't belong. We are that awkward "brother" who could easily embarrass the family, yet Jesus is happy to call us family.

I never really had that thought before. Hmm. I am glad Jesus is not embarrassed to call me His brother! That is an awesome reality.

So here is the big question. Why would we be embarrassed to identify with Jesus. He is definitely the "cool" one in our family. We should all rush to identify with Him.

Hb1

I love the challenge of this book. Each time we come to it, I am eager to understand a little better. The truths contained in Hebrews are rich and not always easily accessible. Take your time each day to harvest the nuggets of truth it contains.

I love how the book begins exalting Jesus. "He is the radiance of God's glory and the exact expression of His nature, sustaining all things by His powerful word." Jesus is God and it is by His word that all of life is sustained. As I look to Him today, He will also guide the details of my life. This is exciting to think about.

Are you aware that Jesus is guiding and sustaining you? Are you looking for evidences of His hand at work in your life today? Are you looking to follow His leadership or are you hoping that He will simple bless your choices? He is worthy of our lives today. Choose to follow Him today. 

Phl

From a run away slave to a partner in the gospel! That is quite the turn around. Yet, that is the story of all of our lives when we encounter Jesus. Our sin pushes us far from God and His love captures us and puts us on a different path. Jesus changes everything…period.

Since He has changed your life, are you willing to give others the opportunity to change? I tend to identify people with their past behavior, while Jesus graces one's past and gives them an opportunity to obey Him with their present. This chapter is about forgiving the sins that others commit and letting them walk according to their current reality in Christ.

If you are running away from Christ today, repent and come home. You might be surprised how awesome the reunion can be.

Tt3

Be careful to devote yourself to good works. Without intentionality we tend to give ourselves to things that really don't matter. It is not the works that save us, but it is the works that God intends us to walk in.

There is a really fine line between works and salvation. It is a clear fine line, but a fine line none the less. There is no work or any amount of "works" that saves anyone! In this chapter we see Paul repeating that again, "He save us - not by works that we have done but by His mercy." Yet in the verses that follow he encourages every believer to "be careful to devote themselves to good works."

Paul never confuses the means of salvation, nor does he ever question the results of salvation. Many American christians are confused on both ends! They believe it is "good works" that actually save them, and others believe that "works" have nothing to do with salvation. Both are unbiblical and wrong. 

God saves people period. Once saved, those people will devote themselves to doing "good works". Salvation is a gift of God. Works are the results of salvation. Walk in good works today. Be careful to devote yourself to them. It matters.

Tt2

Grace is the best teacher! It teaches us to say "no" to godlessness and worldly lusts and to live a sensible, righteous and godly life. It keeps us focused on Christ's return and living with that reality in mind. The question is, are we listening to the instruction or completely ignoring it?

It is by grace that we are saved and it is by grace that we choose to live for Jesus. Walking in grace daily is not a easy choice. In fact it requires us to deny ourselves and to live opposite what our natural tendency would be. One clear example in this chapter would be the principle of submission. It was modeled by Jesus and it is the call of every believer. We are to submit to God, to authority, and to each other.

Submission is willingly placing our desires and needs secondary to those around us. It is laying down our life for others and making them more important than ourself. It is serving. It is making others the center of our life. Basic christianity is loving others and doing things to draw them to Christ. Idolatry is seeking Christ for our own personal good. That is not seeking Christ, it is seeking self.

Listen to Grace today.

Tt1

People profess to know God with their mouths, but by their lives they deny Him. Paul warned both Timothy and Titus of people like this! They say one thing and completely do another. He called them "detestable, disobedient and unqualified for any good work."

It is so important that we talk and act in a manner that is consistent. Our true beliefs are seen in our actions. God desires us to both speak and act in a way that bears witness to the reality of Jesus. This is especially true of anyone who desires to be a leader in the church. People are watching and taking note. Our lives matter.

Live one life! Let your words match your daily life. Live a life that is pleasing to Jesus.

2Tm3

What kind of people should we avoid? Paul instructs us on several occasions to "avoid these people!" but who are "these people"? And why would we do such a thing?

At face value based on the list in this chapter, we would have to avoid everyone! And everyone would have to avoid me! The list seems to be all inclusive. Most of us would fall victim based on "lover of self" alone! Not to mention proud, boastful, lover of money, disobedient, unloving, conceited, lover of pleasure, etc. The fact is all of us struggle with these things and we know that Paul is NOT telling us to avoid all human contact.

What he is saying seems to be clear. It is the same message he repeats to the Corinthians and the Thessalonians. As believers we are to avoid anyone who "holds to a form of godliness" but refuses to live by God's word. In other words, they say one thing and do a completely different thing. God has no effect on their sin and they have no ability to turn from it to follow Christ. The conviction of the Holy Spirit is not enough for them to choose to obey God. We are to not associate with any "so-called christian" who willfully continues to pursue sin. That seems to be clear.

But why? So that they would feel the pain of lost relationship and come back to the ways of Christ. And so that all of us would be careful to deal rightly with our sin and help others to obey the teaching of the bible. Satan is out to destroy all of us. If we refuse to do what God desires and go our own way, expecting God's affirmation, we are sorely deceived. It is often other believers who keep us on the right path. We need to help each other. 

Loving someone sometimes means "avoiding them".

2Tm2

How would you illustrate your pursuit of Christ? Paul challenged Timothy with three power examples of the kind of pursuit he wanted to see in him. 

Like a soldier. Someone who is suffering hardship as a part of the battle and faithfully listening and obeying orders. Not getting caught up in the "civilian affairs" so that he can be fully devoted to the commander.

Like an athlete. Someone who competes to win, knowing the rules of the game and the rules of engagement. Someone who has disciplined himself to know and live by the truth.

Like a farmer. Someone willing to put in the hard work to see the ground prepared, planted and harvested. Totally depending on God to produce the crop.

Would these illustrations describe your faith? Living for Christ is not easy. It takes a lifestyle of a soldier, athlete and a farmer. Put in the work. It is something to aspire to. 

2Tm1

Do you have a clear conscience? Have you sinned against someone and have not made it right? Can anyone say to you, "You hurt me and never made an effort to heal the brokenness?" 

Having a clear conscience is essential to effectively living for the gospel. It was Paul's pattern of leading and it was the way he encouraged Timothy to lead. Everyone sins. Everyone hurts others and sins against them. Not very many take responsibility for that sin and seek forgiveness. When your conscience is dirty, your ministry will be limited. Not only by the ones you have hurt, but also to everyone else.

How long has it been since you have asked anyone other than God for forgiveness? Asking forgiveness should be our regular practice. It is the path to a clear conscience. Having a clear conscience is a beautiful thing. Go for it. Make a list today of people you need to seek forgiveness from. It won't kill you. It will actually free you to truly live for Jesus.

Do everything you can to clean up the messes you have made. 

1Tm6

Do you want to be rich? If so, you are walking into a trap and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. Money is not evil. To love money is one of the worst possible evils!

How we feel about money and what we do with it says everything about what and who we love. Jesus said, "where your treasure is, there your heart is also." The bible is clear that money is to used for God to advance His kingdom, not to build our own. There is no question in my mind that one of the things most Americans will have to account for is how poorly we stewarded the money God entrusted to us.

Would these words describe you in relationship to money? Steward. Rich in good works. Generous. Looking to share with others. Focused on how money can bring eternal reward. These are the words that Paul encouraged Timothy to instruct every believer who has more than they need when it comes to money. 

Are you content with the basics? Are you pursuing more and more for yourself? Are you loving God with the wealth that He has entrusted to you? This is a challenging chapter for every believer I know. Don't love money! It will leave you empty and eternally dissatisfied.