As I have often mentioned in this blog, my friend Frank and I have an agreement. We read the same chapter in God’s Word each day for a week and then drop each other a short email about what we have learned. We then move to the next chapter the next week. I describe our modest online Bible study here. You might want to try this with a friend or relative.
We are finishing up our reading of the book of Hebrews. And there is much in this final chapter that I just have to go over with you. Let’s look at the next several verses:
What “carries you away”? Anything? We fool ourselves if we think we are immune to being overly influenced by our culture or unbiblically captivated by current opinion. The command is clear: “Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.”
And the writer takes a shot at those (presumably Jews) who think that one can grow in grace by eating certain foods. No. Our hearts are to be strengthened by grace. He also seems to acknowledge the superiority of the new covenant when he says that “we have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat.”
Today’s Challenge: Strange teachings abound — and wait to carry away the follower of Jesus. Get your heart strengthened by grace — and feast on His saving mercy!
As I have often mentioned in this blog, my friend Frank and I have an agreement. We read the same chapter in God’s Word each day for a week and then drop each other a short email about what we have learned. We then move to the next chapter the next week. I describe our modest online Bible study here. You might want to try this with a friend or relative.
We are finishing up our reading of the book of Hebrews. And there is much in this final chapter that I just have to go over with you. Let’s look at the next verse:
These two verses are both amazing and practical. They are practical in that the author gives three very specific commands: (1) Remember your leaders! and (2) Consider the outcome of their way of life! and (3) Imitate their faith!
These verses are also amazing. We have the incredible statement: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” How does that powerful, theological, absolutist declaration about our Savior fit here? Any thoughts?
We often look at sameness as unsatisfactory, status quo, in need of major or minor change. But what if we are talking about absolute perfection? Then no change is needed. Ever.
Today’s Challenge: How we treat our leaders reflects how much we value the never-changing Lord Jesus and His provision of those leaders. Remember, consider, and imitate those God-given leaders today.
As I have often mentioned in this blog, my friend Frank and I have an agreement. We read the same chapter in God’s Word each day for a week and then drop each other a short email about what we have learned. We then move to the next chapter the next week. I describe our modest online Bible study here. You might want to try this with a friend or relative.
We are finishing up our reading of the book of Hebrews. And there is much in this final chapter that I just have to go over with you. Let’s look at the next verse:
Choosing to keep our lives free from the love of money and learning to be content with what we have flow from an understanding of God’s abiding presence with us. He has promised never to leave or forsake us!
Taking that perspective on our lives and our possessions should lead us to make a declaration — a confident declaration: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (v. 6).
Great question! What can mere mortals do to me? Well, they can rob me of my stuff, but they can’t steal my joy in Jesus. They can swindle me out of my retirement funds, but they can’t bar me from heaven. They can take away my earthly goods, but they can’t separate me from my heavenly Savior.
Today’s Challenge: The antidote to fear is faith in the Lord, in His help, in His abiding and sustaining presence. Be confident today, my friend, not in yourself or your stuff, but in Your Savior!
As I have often mentioned in this blog, my friend Frank and I have an agreement. We read the same chapter in God’s Word each day for a week and then drop each other a short email about what we have learned. We then move to the next chapter the next week. I describe our modest online Bible study here. You might want to try this with a friend or relative.
We are finishing up our reading of the book of Hebrews. And there is much in this final chapter that I just have to go over with you. Let’s look at the next verse:
This is an amazing text! Before we examine it a bit more closely, feel free to click on the play button for 22 seconds of the music group Abba’s perspective!
The verse clearly challenges believers to “keep your lives free from the love of money”! Many people wrongly think that “money is the root of all evil.” That’s not what the Bible says. The passage that is often misquoted is I Timothy 6:10 which says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Notice: (1) It is the love of money that is a root of evil. It is not the only root of evil. (2) The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. (3) An eagerness for money has caused some to wander from the faith and to pierce themselves with many griefs!
How about one more audio clip emphasizing the acquiring of money? This one is from the Beatles in 1963!
We are to “keep our lives free from the love of money”! Why? Because true contentment comes from recognizing God’s abiding presence with us! Money will vanish. Possessions will break or be stolen or get lost. But God’s promise of His never leaving us should be our anchor and assurance. And that’s what we should want!
Today’s Challenge: How do you look at money? Is it a tool to do the will of God and to enjoy the good gifts that He gives? Praise Him for His abiding presence with us — whether we are materially blessed . . . or not!
As I have often mentioned in this blog, my friend Frank and I have an agreement. We read the same chapter in God’s Word each day for a week and then drop each other a short email about what we have learned. We then move to the next chapter the next week. I describe our modest online Bible study here. You might want to try this with a friend or relative.
We are finishing up our reading of the book of Hebrews. And there is much in this final chapter that I just have to go over with you. Let’s look at the next verse:
Wow, if there’s one Christian concept that is attacked vigorously in our culture, it is traditional, monogamous, heterosexual, life-long marriage! We believers owe it to the Lord to make our marriages work! When people ask me what the secret is to our 50 years of marriage, I say, “Well, it takes THREE!” They then look at me as if we’re Mormons! “No,” I say. “The LORD right in the middle!”
And the writer’s admonition is not merely something that should be crocheted and put in a frame. The marriage bed is to be “kept pure”! Why? Because God will judge those whose sexual behavior is outside the holy bond of matrimony!
Today’s Challenge: Married? Then show by your behavior that you honor marriage and are practicing your sexuality within that loving relationship of fidelity. Unmarried? Pray hard for those you know who are married that they would allow the Lord to be that “Third”!
As I have often mentioned in this blog, my friend Frank and I have an agreement. We read the same chapter in God’s Word each day for a week and then drop each other a short email about what we have learned. We then move to the next chapter the next week. I describe our modest online Bible study here. You might want to try this with a friend or relative. Here are the books that Frank and I have covered over the last couple of years:
As we finish up our reading of the book of Hebrews, we are deciding which book to read next (the Gospel of John? the book of Psalms?). But there is much in this final chapter of Hebrews that I just have to go over with you. Let’s look at the first few verses:
The writer to the Hebrews has covered a lot of territory in the previous twelve chapters. Now he gets real practical. But notice how complimentary he is in these three verses:
“KEEP ON LOVING”– He is acknowledging their love for the brothers and sisters. But feels the need to challenge them to keep doing what they’re doing!
“DO NOT FORGET” — We often underestimate the power of hospitality. And the writer encourages his readers to show hospitality to strangers. They just might find themselves entertaining angels!
“CONTINUE TO REMEMBER” — Again, it seems the author is complimenting his readers. They had already remembered those in prison and those in suffering. But they are encouraged to keep doing so.
Today’s Challenge: As you examine your life, what would you say you are doing right? Keep on doing that — to the glory of God!
Our latest book, Bless-ed! Fifty-Two Blessings You Have as a Believer and How to Help Your Lost Friends Find Theirs will soon be available through Amazon. You may buy it directly from me (send $10 [which includes shipping] to my address).
My address:
Dr. Larry Dixon
117 Norse Way
Columbia, SC 29229 Cell: 803-201-9745
These two verses are both amazing and practical. They are practical in that the author gives three very specific commands: (1) Remember your leaders! and (2) Consider the outcome of their way of life! and (3) Imitate their faith!
These verses are also amazing. We have the incredible statement: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” How does that powerful, theological, absolutist declaration about our Savior fit here? Any thoughts?
Choosing to keep our lives free from the love of money and learning to be content with what we have flow from an understanding of God’s abiding presence with us. He has promised never to leave or forsake us!
Great question! What can mere mortals do to me? Well, they can rob me of my stuff, but they can’t steal my joy in Jesus. They can swindle me out of my retirement funds, but they can’t bar me from heaven. They can take away my earthly goods, but they can’t separate me from my heavenly Savior.
This is an amazing text! Before we examine it a bit more closely, feel free to click on the play button for 22 seconds of the music group Abba’s perspective!
The verse clearly challenges believers to “keep your lives free from the love of money”! Many people wrongly think that “money is the root of all evil.” That’s not what the Bible says. The passage that is often misquoted is I Timothy 6:10 which says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Notice: (1) It is the love of money that is a root of evil. It is not the only root of evil. (2) The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. (3) An eagerness for money has caused some to wander from the faith and to pierce themselves with many griefs!
Wow, if there’s one Christian concept that is attacked vigorously in our culture, it is traditional, monogamous, heterosexual, life-long marriage! We believers owe it to the Lord to make our marriages work! When people ask me what the secret is to our 50 years of marriage, I say, “Well, it takes THREE!” They then look at me as if we’re Mormons! “No,” I say. “The LORD right in the middle!”
The writer to the Hebrews has covered a lot of territory in the previous twelve chapters. Now he gets real practical. But notice how complimentary he is in these three verses:
“DO NOT FORGET” — We often underestimate the power of hospitality. And the writer encourages his readers to show hospitality to strangers. They just might find themselves entertaining angels!
Dr. Larry Dixon
larrydixon.wordpress.com 