Category: Insights

God’s Discipline Proves His Love, Hebrews Chapter 12

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that is so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in you struggle against sin.

And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to youy as His children? He said,

“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when He corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as His child.”

As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of His children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really His children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, should’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits and live forever? (vv. 1-9, NLT)

Jesus Is Like Melchizedek, Hebrews Chapter 7

This change has been made very clear since a different priest, who is like Melchizedek has appeared. Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. And the psalmist pointed this out when he prophesied,

“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

Yes, the old requirement about a priesthood was set aside because it was weak and useless. For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

This new system was established with a solemn oath. Aaron’s descendants because priests without such an oath, but there was another oath regarding Jesus. For God said to Him,

“The Lord has taken an oath and will not break His vow: ‘You are a priest forever.'”

Because of this oath, Jesus is the one how guarantees this better covenant with God.

There are many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. But because Jesus lives forever, His priesthood lasts forever. Therefore He is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through Him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. (vv. 25-25, NLT)

Melchizedek is Greater than Abraham, Hebrews Chapter 7, Part 1

This Melchizedek was a king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. When Abraham was returning home after winning a great battle against the kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him. Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had captured in battle and gave it to Melchizedek. The name Melchizedek means “king of justice” and king of Salem means “king of peace.: There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors – no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God.

Consider then how great this Melchizedek was. Even Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, recognized this by giving him a tenth of what he had taken in battle. Now the law of Moses required that the priests, who are descendants of Levi, must collect a tithe from the rest of the people of Israel who are also a descendant of Abraham. But Melchizedek, who was not a descendant of Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham. And Melchizedek placed a blessing upon Abraham, the one who had already received the promises of God. And without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing is greater than the one who is blessed. (vv. 1-7, NLT)

Merry Christmas 2024

I want to share some Christmas Reminders, that a good friend shared with me.

May the Christmas gifts remind you of God’s greatest gift, His only begotten Son, Jesus.

May the Christmas candles remind you of Him who is the “Light of the World”.

May the Christmas trees remind you of another tree upon which He died for you.

May the Christmas carols remind you of the song the angels sang, “Glory to God in the Highest.

May the Christmas season remind you in every way of Jesus Christ our King.

(author unknown)

A Good Soldier for Christ Jesus, 2 Timothy Chapter 2

Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure it if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.

This is a trustworthy saying:

If we die with Him, we also live with Him.
If we endure hardship, we will reign with Him.
If we deny Him, He will deny us.
If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is.

Reminder everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. (vv. 8-14, NLT)

Christ is Supreme, Colossians Chapter 1

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through Him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth.

He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see – such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities of the unseen world. Everything was created through Him and for Him. He existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together.

Christ is also the head of the church, which is His body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who will rise fro the dead. So He is first in everything. For God in al His fullness was pleased to live in Christ and through Him God reconciled everything to Himself. He made peace with everything between heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. (vv. 15-20, NLT)

Jesus Claims to be the Son of God, John Chapter 10

Is was. not winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication. He was in the Temple, walking through the section known as Solomon’s Colonnade. The people surrounded Him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe Me. The proof is the work I do in My Father’s name. But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from Me, for My Father has given them to Me, and He is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from My Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” (vv. 22-30, NLT)

Jesus and Abraham, John Chapter 8, Part 2

“Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, because. have come to you from God. I am not here on My own, but He sent Me. Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear Me! For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of all lies. So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe Me! When of you can truthfully accuse Me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe Me? Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.” (vv. 42-47, NLT0

Jesus answered, “If I want glory for Myself, it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify Me. You say, ‘He is your God’, but you don’t even know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know Him and obey Him. Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to My coming. He saw if and was glad.”

The people said, “Your aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!” At this point, they picked up stones to throw at Hime. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.” (vv. 54-59, NLT)

The First Disciples, John Chapter 1

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John (the Baptist) has said and then followed Jesus. Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”).

Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John – but you will be called Cephas” (which “Peter”.)

The next day Jesus decided ot go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ” Come, follow me” Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown.

Philip went ot look for Nathaniel and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, son of Joseph from Nazareth.:

“Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”

“Come and see for yourself, “Philip replied.

As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel a man of complete integrity.”:

“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.”

Then Nathanael explained, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God – the King of Israel!”

Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this is just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things that this.” Then He said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.” (vv. 40-51, NLT)