Tag: obey leaders
Looking for a city!
Scripture reading for March 4th: Numbers 6-7, Hebrews 13
Hebrews 13:14-17 “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His Name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
The writer of Hebrews was not looking for a permanent home here on earth. He emphatically stated, “here we have no lasting city,” but “we seek the city that is to come.” He had earlier described it at Mt. Zion, (Hebrews 12:22-24) another name for Jerusalem. He described it has the “heavenly Jerusalem” which consisted of unnumberable angels in joyful assembly and the assembly of the “Firstborn”, whose names were written on the roll of the city. In this city, there is joyful worship and eternal joy in God’s presence. Because of this, we prepare now by doing good and sharing with others our goods and the good news! We obey our leaders and submit to them. We invite God to do His will in us and through us to His eternal glory!
Hebrews 13:20-21 “Now may the God of peace Who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Prayer: Father God, I also am seeking the city that You promised to Your people, the heavenly Jerusalem! I have no lasting city here but want my name in Your book! Lead me by Your Holy Spirit to do good works and to share. Help me to obey my leaders and submit. May You work in me Your will and good pleasure. The best is yet to come!
Numbers 6:24-27 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. So shall they put My Name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”
Seeking the City to Come!
Scripture reading for August 24th: Hebrews 13
Key Scriptures: Hebrews 13:12-16 “So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through His own blood. Therefore let us go to Him outside the camp and bear the reproach He endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His Name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
In closing this letter, the writer of Hebrews uses Jesus as an example for the Jewish believers. Jesus, the Jew, was condemned to die a criminal’s death, outside the gates of Jerusalem, the city of God. The ‘King of the Jews’ suffered death by crucifixion in order to sanctify all people, Jew and Gentile, by bearing their reproach and sins. Jesus Christ arose from the grave and ascended back to heaven, preparing a place in the City of God, the New Jerusalem. He is coming again and will in finality bring the New Jerusalem down from heaven as a dwelling place for His Bride, the Church. In faith, the Church lives a life of worship and service to God. They are looking for the City to come and the return of the Bridegroom for the Bride!
Hebrews 13:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give and account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, I recognize that I truly have no city or true home in this world that is hostile to You. I am looking for the City that is to come and the return of Jesus Christ as King of Kings. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and help me to be watchful over my brothers and sisters and to set a godly example of worship and sacrifice. I want to please my Lord and Father!
Hebrews 13:20-21 “Now may the God of Peace Who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Worship God–obey leaders!
Scripture reading for October 31st: Hebrews 13
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Hebrews 13:15-17 “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise–the fruit of lips that confess His name. And do not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work may be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
Worship is a powerful response of faith that centers our souls on an omnipotent and loving God. It enables us to do good works and help others no matter how hostile the environment. God is worthy of our praises and is pleased by good works done through faith. Obedience to leaders and joyful submissions to their authority provides a protective covering over us and our families. These leaders have been placed by God to help you and watch over you.
Observations for over-comers: Worship involves praising God with our lips and doing good deeds by obeying the word of God and following the Holy Spirit. “He who obeys instructions guards his life, but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die.” (Proverbs 19:16)
Looking for a city!
Scripture reading for November 16th: Hebrews 13:1-25
“For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” (Hebrews 13:14) Jews in the land of Israel viewed the city of Jerusalem as the city of God’s house. They felt that God would protect this city forever and that it would be safe. But God did allow the city to be captured and destroyed by the Babylonians. The writer of Hebrews was telling these Jewish believers that this city of Jerusalem was not the permanent city that God had prepared. This city and temple was now obsolete and passing away. Jesus had warned of it’s destruction because of the Jews rejection of Him. (Matthew 23:37-39) Faith looked ahead to God’s ultimate city that He was preparing for them!
“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he didn’t know where he was going. . . .he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” (Hebrews 11:8, 9b, 10) Abraham knew of this heavenly city and even as he lived in a tent in the promised land was looking with faith to this heavenly city to be constructed by God Himself. His offspring also had this hope!
“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. . .Instead, they were longing for a better country–a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:13-14, 16) All those early pioneers of the Jewish faith understood about the heavenly city and promise of a permanent dwelling place with God. This faith pleased God and in Jesus Christ has prepared this heavenly city! Some of Jesus last instructions to His disciples included the promise that in Father’s house were many rooms and He was preparing a place for them! He is coming back to take all His followers to be with Him in that beautiful place!