04 June 2014
Joshua 22
Isaiah 28
Hebrews 11
“BY FAITH …”
Today we read the well known 11th chapter of Hebrews, it starts, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This is the vital lesson we must take to heart in reading this chapter - that having faith is having a state of mind that must cause us to lead different lives, different priorities - to have different aims. We live our lives in service to our Saviour - accomplishing things in his service. Read the chapter, noticing how often the words “By faith” occur. “By faith Noah …by faith Abraham … by faith Sarah …”
Our faith is not just something we talk about - or listen to others talking about. We read today of many examples of men and women of faith, highlighting in many cases some particular deed that proved the nature of their faith. It is most valuable to look on into the first 2 verses of tomorrow’s chapter., it starts “Therefore” -therefore we should put the chapter break after verse 2 [Hebrews 12:1-2].
“Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (all those examples of men and women of faith in Hebrews 11), let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith …”
We must each search our hearts as to how effectively we are living our lives so that he sees that our faith has developed real strength, that we have acquired a real sense of teamwork with our Saviour and our God. That our lives demonstrate that we are “working together with him” [2 Corinthians 6:1]
May we all be able to look back on our lives, on our journey in developing greater and greater faith to see how we have been “made strong out of weakness” [Hebrews 11:34] because we have developed a real “conviction of things not seen” and “we are not of those who shrink back … but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” [Hebrews 10:39]
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- DC
Thought for the Day
04 June 2014
"We cannot, as some did 1,800 years ago, recline on the greensward, and listen to the mellifluous words that flowed from his mouth, who spake as never man spake; but, thank God, we can ponder that great portion of His words which have been rescued from the dead past, and written down. We have them here in our hands, and what shall we say of ourselves if we are not wise enough to appreciate the pearls that are contained therein. The exhortation to everybody is, "Get wisdom; do not be foolish; wisdom is the principal thing. Search for her as for hid treasure; embrace her, and she will bring thee to honour. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold of her. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her; length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honour." (Proverbs 3:13-18)"
- Robert Roberts
Past, Present, and Future
Joshua 22 - once again we see the wonderful example of Phinehas, standing as a protector of the truth, a protector of the ecclesia, and protector of his brothers and sisters.
Phinehas and the princes seek to understand the truth of the situation with the children of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh, carrying out Deut 13:12-15.
In verse 19 we see the hand being extended to their brethren, offering them the opportunity for them to cross over Jordan and to dwell with them in their inheritance. To resolve the issue the children of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh now realise they have stored up for their generations to come (v24-27).
But we also see a sad and telling contrast in the record:
"Notwithstanding, if the land of YOUR POSSESSION be unclean, then pass ye over unto the land of THE POSSESSION OF THE LORD, wherein the LORD's tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us..."
Let us offer our a hand of fellowship with those of our brothers and sisters whose minds may be on dwelling and making themselves comfortable in the land of THEIR INHERITANCE. And encourage them to be attenders and dwellers in the ecclesia (tabernacle) of Christ, and that together we by Gods grace be possessors together of the inheritance of the LORD.
Joshua 22 - once again we see the wonderful example of Phinehas, standing as a protector of the truth, a protector of the ecclesia, and protector of his brothers and sisters.
Phinehas and the princes seek to understand the truth of the situation with the children of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh, carrying out Deut 13:12-15.
In verse 19 we see the hand being extended to their brethren, offering them the opportunity for them to cross over Jordan and to dwell with them in their inheritance. To resolve the issue the children of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh now realise they have stored up for their generations to come (v24-27).
But we also see a sad and telling contrast in the record:
"Notwithstanding, if the land of YOUR POSSESSION be unclean, then pass ye over unto the land of THE POSSESSION OF THE LORD, wherein the LORD's tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us..."
Let us offer our a hand of fellowship with those of our brothers and sisters whose minds may be on dwelling and making themselves comfortable in the land of THEIR INHERITANCE. And encourage them to be attenders and dwellers in the ecclesia (tabernacle) of Christ, and that together we by Gods grace be possessors together of the inheritance of the LORD.
Joshua 22
Isaiah 28
Hebrews 11
“BY FAITH …”
Today we read the well known 11th chapter of Hebrews, it starts, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This is the vital lesson we must take to heart in reading this chapter - that having faith is having a state of mind that must cause us to lead different lives, different priorities - to have different aims. We live our lives in service to our Saviour - accomplishing things in his service. Read the chapter, noticing how often the words “By faith” occur. “By faith Noah …by faith Abraham … by faith Sarah …”
Our faith is not just something we talk about - or listen to others talking about. We read today of many examples of men and women of faith, highlighting in many cases some particular deed that proved the nature of their faith. It is most valuable to look on into the first 2 verses of tomorrow’s chapter., it starts “Therefore” -therefore we should put the chapter break after verse 2 [Hebrews 12:1-2].
“Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (all those examples of men and women of faith in Hebrews 11), let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith …”
We must each search our hearts as to how effectively we are living our lives so that he sees that our faith has developed real strength, that we have acquired a real sense of teamwork with our Saviour and our God. That our lives demonstrate that we are “working together with him” [2 Corinthians 6:1]
May we all be able to look back on our lives, on our journey in developing greater and greater faith to see how we have been “made strong out of weakness” [Hebrews 11:34] because we have developed a real “conviction of things not seen” and “we are not of those who shrink back … but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” [Hebrews 10:39]
-------
- DC
Thought for the Day
04 June 2014
"We cannot, as some did 1,800 years ago, recline on the greensward, and listen to the mellifluous words that flowed from his mouth, who spake as never man spake; but, thank God, we can ponder that great portion of His words which have been rescued from the dead past, and written down. We have them here in our hands, and what shall we say of ourselves if we are not wise enough to appreciate the pearls that are contained therein. The exhortation to everybody is, "Get wisdom; do not be foolish; wisdom is the principal thing. Search for her as for hid treasure; embrace her, and she will bring thee to honour. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold of her. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her; length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honour." (Proverbs 3:13-18)"
- Robert Roberts
Past, Present, and Future
Joshua 22 - once again we see the wonderful example of Phinehas, standing as a protector of the truth, a protector of the ecclesia, and protector of his brothers and sisters.
Phinehas and the princes seek to understand the truth of the situation with the children of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh, carrying out Deut 13:12-15.
In verse 19 we see the hand being extended to their brethren, offering them the opportunity for them to cross over Jordan and to dwell with them in their inheritance. To resolve the issue the children of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh now realise they have stored up for their generations to come (v24-27).
But we also see a sad and telling contrast in the record:
"Notwithstanding, if the land of YOUR POSSESSION be unclean, then pass ye over unto the land of THE POSSESSION OF THE LORD, wherein the LORD's tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us..."
Let us offer our a hand of fellowship with those of our brothers and sisters whose minds may be on dwelling and making themselves comfortable in the land of THEIR INHERITANCE. And encourage them to be attenders and dwellers in the ecclesia (tabernacle) of Christ, and that together we by Gods grace be possessors together of the inheritance of the LORD.
Joshua 22 - once again we see the wonderful example of Phinehas, standing as a protector of the truth, a protector of the ecclesia, and protector of his brothers and sisters.
Phinehas and the princes seek to understand the truth of the situation with the children of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh, carrying out Deut 13:12-15.
In verse 19 we see the hand being extended to their brethren, offering them the opportunity for them to cross over Jordan and to dwell with them in their inheritance. To resolve the issue the children of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh now realise they have stored up for their generations to come (v24-27).
But we also see a sad and telling contrast in the record:
"Notwithstanding, if the land of YOUR POSSESSION be unclean, then pass ye over unto the land of THE POSSESSION OF THE LORD, wherein the LORD's tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us..."
Let us offer our a hand of fellowship with those of our brothers and sisters whose minds may be on dwelling and making themselves comfortable in the land of THEIR INHERITANCE. And encourage them to be attenders and dwellers in the ecclesia (tabernacle) of Christ, and that together we by Gods grace be possessors together of the inheritance of the LORD.
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