Some Musings on Hebrews 13 (Part 6)

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!

 

Keys to Not Losing Heart (A Study of 2 Corinthians 4)

Friends: If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you know that my friend Frank (in New Jersey) and I have been doing an email Bible study for over a year. We read the same chapter every day for a week — and then send a brief email of encouragement to each other. We’ve completed most of the epistles of the New Testament — and it’s been a great discipline for both of us.

We’re now working our way through 2 Corinthians. Here’s my outline for several verses in chapter four. (I needed to include the entire chapter below):Keys to Not Losing Heart (2 Cor. 4)

1. Follow God-Honoring Ways in Your Ministry (v. 2)

2. Set Forth the Truth — and Yourself — Plainly (v. 2)

3. Recognize That the Minds of Unbelievers Are Blinded (vv. 3-4)

4. Don’t Preach Yourself, But Christ! (vv. 5-6)

5. Don’t Minimize Your Own Suffering for the Savior (vv. 7-12)

6. Do Your Work Out of Faith in the Lord Jesus (vv. 13-15)

7. Be Motivated by the Biblical Certainty of Eternity (vv. 16-18)

 

Psalms of My Life (Psalm 119): Part 2

בBeth

⁹ How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
    By living according to your word.
¹⁰ I seek you with all my heart;
    do not let me stray from your commands.
¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart
    that I might not sin against you.
¹² Praise be to you, Lord;
    teach me your decrees.
¹³ With my lips I recount
    all the laws that come from your mouth.
¹⁴ I rejoice in following your statutes
    as one rejoices in great riches.
¹⁵ I meditate on your precepts
    and consider your ways.
¹⁶ I delight in your decrees;
    I will not neglect your word.

“Lord, about my heart . . .”