by Nancy Guthrie is titled "Where are you going?" This made me pause because the day I was studying this chapter, this exact question was on my mind. And I didn't know. Nancy then goes on to discuss the idea of rest being a goal we seek in all of our going but not always achieved in all of our going. We're small-brained hamsters on a perpetual wheel.
This really made me pay attention because I know this to be true of myself in many ways. Husband will tell you that my motto immemorial has been, "Go there, Be there, Do there, Leave there." Sometimes I get so busy with the motto that I lose the purpose and wind up frustrated in every point. Working harder doesn't necessarily mean I'm working smarter.
The question she asks is what keeps God's people from real rest? Hebrews warns God's people clearly that the answer is found in our hardened hearts, fast seeking after our own purposes and abandoning the truths of God. When we take our focus off of God's promises and put them on our perceived solutions to achieving what we want over what He offers, our seeking turns into wandering. Our wandering turns into wilderness. No wonder God's people are constantly tired. Rebellion will wear you out.
Which is why the solution to rebellion is always, always, always, confession and repentance. Confession is agreeing with what God has said about you. Repentance is about turning away from your way and turning to God's way. That yielding to God brings rest. Anything else is like pushing a metal desk up a rocky hill in a gale force wind aimed at you.
In Heb. 3:7-4:13 the author reminds his audience of the Israelites in the wilderness that made these mistakes of hardened hearts against God's way and unbelief towards God's promises. Although they said they wanted rest, they were not willing to find the rest that God was offering. They said that they believed God, but they lived in utter unbelief towards Him. To disregard His word is to ignore the rest He offers.
I don't want to ignore the rest He offers. Which means that I must consider His word, deeply and consistently. His ever living, always penetrating, thoroughly dividing my soul and spirit, utterly piercing Word. What He says about me is true. What He promises me is true. I will either choose to believe His word or not. And sheltered in His word is rest. Complete and eternal rest.
That's where I want to go. That's where I want to be found. In His word.
Showing posts with label Hebrews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hebrews. Show all posts
Monday, August 10, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Chapter 2, Hebrews...
is where I'm going to pick up in my study of Hoping for Something Better by Nancy Guthrie. I think most of you have your books by now. So, let's get moving.
Chapter 2 of the book starts with Heb. 2:5-18. This section of scripture tells us more of how superior Jesus is to angels, to man, and to all of creation as well as describing how in Christ, God the Father will exalt man through Christ. This has always blown my mind. Particularly so after studying Romans 1-2 where the fullness of man's depravity is vividly described. I'm always left with the question, "How in the world does God choose to love me?"
Heb. 2 answers this question with resounding finality. Because of Jesus Christ. That truth alone, embraced through faith, will bring you to your knees. Look at verse 6b, "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" This verse not only describes the place of man that God has given to him, beyond any deserving or earning of his own, but also points us to Christ, the Son of Man, who humbly took the place God gave to Him in the incarnation.
Nancy Guthrie speaks in Chapter 2 of man's original destiny to rule the world as redeemed men and women. The Fall completely perverted that destiny and now our attempts to rule anything at all are marred by sin. Christ is our only redemption. He came in the flesh to identify with us, to demonstrate the power of God over sin, to free us from sin, and to be Lord over all things.
The last point, His Lordship over all things, is the crux of what I took from this chapter. Heb. 2:8 says, "Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him." That "yet" is one loaded word because it is full of life's current hardships. It is a barrel full of broken relationships, personal depravity and struggles with sin; lives rife with hate, wickedness and the world's perversions; brimming with illnesses, deaths and disasters; and the results of lives torn apart by grief, sorrow and anguish. One cannot look at today's world and ignore the score of things that are just not right.
It is hard to imagine in the dark face of all the not right things that it will one day be better. For me, it sums the point of Hebrews. Namely that God has given to us the better. God has established all that which is better. God is working to bring about nothing but the better. And He has done this, is doing this, and will continue until full completion to do this through the amazing, wonderful Person of Jesus Christ.
That's what I'm hoping for in my pursuit of something better. It's where I've laid my faith and life. At the foot of the cross, at the knee of the exalted Son of Man, who is NOW crowned with glory and honor. To Him alone be the praise.
Chapter 2 of the book starts with Heb. 2:5-18. This section of scripture tells us more of how superior Jesus is to angels, to man, and to all of creation as well as describing how in Christ, God the Father will exalt man through Christ. This has always blown my mind. Particularly so after studying Romans 1-2 where the fullness of man's depravity is vividly described. I'm always left with the question, "How in the world does God choose to love me?"
Heb. 2 answers this question with resounding finality. Because of Jesus Christ. That truth alone, embraced through faith, will bring you to your knees. Look at verse 6b, "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" This verse not only describes the place of man that God has given to him, beyond any deserving or earning of his own, but also points us to Christ, the Son of Man, who humbly took the place God gave to Him in the incarnation.
Nancy Guthrie speaks in Chapter 2 of man's original destiny to rule the world as redeemed men and women. The Fall completely perverted that destiny and now our attempts to rule anything at all are marred by sin. Christ is our only redemption. He came in the flesh to identify with us, to demonstrate the power of God over sin, to free us from sin, and to be Lord over all things.
The last point, His Lordship over all things, is the crux of what I took from this chapter. Heb. 2:8 says, "Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him." That "yet" is one loaded word because it is full of life's current hardships. It is a barrel full of broken relationships, personal depravity and struggles with sin; lives rife with hate, wickedness and the world's perversions; brimming with illnesses, deaths and disasters; and the results of lives torn apart by grief, sorrow and anguish. One cannot look at today's world and ignore the score of things that are just not right.
It is hard to imagine in the dark face of all the not right things that it will one day be better. For me, it sums the point of Hebrews. Namely that God has given to us the better. God has established all that which is better. God is working to bring about nothing but the better. And He has done this, is doing this, and will continue until full completion to do this through the amazing, wonderful Person of Jesus Christ.
That's what I'm hoping for in my pursuit of something better. It's where I've laid my faith and life. At the foot of the cross, at the knee of the exalted Son of Man, who is NOW crowned with glory and honor. To Him alone be the praise.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Here are my thoughts on drift...
as the Hebrews study by Nancy Guthrie tackles it. I hope those of you trying to read along have your books by now.
In this post, I wrote that I was struck by God's requirement of people to respond to His revelation of Jesus Christ. That truth is one I realized while studying through Romans. There is no neutral position for anyone when it comes to the Lord Jesus Christ. You will either be found as His object of mercy and therefore, saved, or you will be found as His object of wrath, and therefore, condemned. See John 3:36 on this.
Really then, no one is going to get the abstention place as His object of indifference and get to hang out in the undecided waiting room.
Which is why the latter part of Guthrie's chapter 1 deals so thoroughly with the consequences of drift. More specifically, drifting away. Obviously, a Christian must deal with the reality of what to do in life between the walk down the aisle moment and the enter into glory moment. Again, there is no waiting room scenario here. Although, many Christians treat their receipt of the gospel as though it were a ticket at the DMV office, waiting to be called and just annoyed with everything else in general and specific.
God did not save us to bide time till glory. He saved us unto Himself and every day from the first to the last is to be filled with walking worthy of our calling, with working out of our salvation, with the good works He foreordained for us, with paying careful attention and thereby staunchly refusing to neglect this very great salvation. To neglect Him is drift.
The full and abundant life promises of Jesus to His disciples, the giving of peace not as the world gives but that which overcomes the world, all have their foundations in the pursuit, the race, the tasks, and the perseverance of keeping hold of His word in every thought and choice. Daily lived out. To refuse to live out the gospel is drift.
How desperately grievous it is to see a professing Christian waiting to embrace His throne of grace, ignoring the glories of a Spirit led life, and even more so, refusing the training of His righteousness. All these are drift too.
Guthrie makes a clear point that everyone daily makes choices to pay attention to the things that matter to them and in those choices will go to great lengths to clear the distractions away so that full and uninterrupted attention can be paid to the desired object. Whether it is our blogs or Twitter or Facebook, our closet or homes or exercise routine, our jobs or children or menu plan, our television shows or chick lit or women's magazines. Every thing that demands our attention requires the choice of not paying attention elsewhere.
How can we not pay attention then to the greatest gift, the most precious treasure, the sweetest of Saviors, our Lord Jesus Christ, His word and His works?
To do otherwise is drift.
In this post, I wrote that I was struck by God's requirement of people to respond to His revelation of Jesus Christ. That truth is one I realized while studying through Romans. There is no neutral position for anyone when it comes to the Lord Jesus Christ. You will either be found as His object of mercy and therefore, saved, or you will be found as His object of wrath, and therefore, condemned. See John 3:36 on this.
Really then, no one is going to get the abstention place as His object of indifference and get to hang out in the undecided waiting room.
Which is why the latter part of Guthrie's chapter 1 deals so thoroughly with the consequences of drift. More specifically, drifting away. Obviously, a Christian must deal with the reality of what to do in life between the walk down the aisle moment and the enter into glory moment. Again, there is no waiting room scenario here. Although, many Christians treat their receipt of the gospel as though it were a ticket at the DMV office, waiting to be called and just annoyed with everything else in general and specific.
God did not save us to bide time till glory. He saved us unto Himself and every day from the first to the last is to be filled with walking worthy of our calling, with working out of our salvation, with the good works He foreordained for us, with paying careful attention and thereby staunchly refusing to neglect this very great salvation. To neglect Him is drift.
The full and abundant life promises of Jesus to His disciples, the giving of peace not as the world gives but that which overcomes the world, all have their foundations in the pursuit, the race, the tasks, and the perseverance of keeping hold of His word in every thought and choice. Daily lived out. To refuse to live out the gospel is drift.
How desperately grievous it is to see a professing Christian waiting to embrace His throne of grace, ignoring the glories of a Spirit led life, and even more so, refusing the training of His righteousness. All these are drift too.
Guthrie makes a clear point that everyone daily makes choices to pay attention to the things that matter to them and in those choices will go to great lengths to clear the distractions away so that full and uninterrupted attention can be paid to the desired object. Whether it is our blogs or Twitter or Facebook, our closet or homes or exercise routine, our jobs or children or menu plan, our television shows or chick lit or women's magazines. Every thing that demands our attention requires the choice of not paying attention elsewhere.
How can we not pay attention then to the greatest gift, the most precious treasure, the sweetest of Saviors, our Lord Jesus Christ, His word and His works?
To do otherwise is drift.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Chapter 1, Hebrews...
An expression my pastor often uses in teaching the Old Testament is "pop-up book". This illustration really makes sense to me when you consider all the visual symbols of Christ that God gave in the layout and articles of the Tabernacle, the Levitical priestly garments, and the details to the nth degree for the sacrifices and offerings. Each ceremony and law pointed to Christ.
In Chapter 1 of Hoping For Something Better, Nancy Guthrie describes this process as well regarding how God the Father from Genesis through Malachi was teaching His people about Jesus, who was to come. Hebrews is the book that gives the inside explanation on how all that had gone before is now seen clearly and fully in Jesus Christ.
Jesus is throughout the OT, from Genesis 1:1, He is found in the Word before He is seen in the Living Word-Flesh. Believers should joyfully celebrate Christ in the OT truths of Law, prophecy, narrative, symbolism, poetry, songs and proverbs.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading through each detail of Hebrews 1 and relishing the intimate descriptions of Jesus Christ: heir of all things, radiance of God's glory, exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. What an amazing Savior the Father has given!
What struck me in this chapter was the requirement of God to respond to His giving us the fullness of Christ. In the questions at the back of the book, Nancy asks you to express in your own words the idea of Heb. 1:1-4. I answered, "Jesus is the first, last and eternal Word of God, in His life and model, in His instruction and work, in His character and Person."
At the end of the chapter, she challenges, "God's message to us in Jesus requires a response. God has spoken to us plainly, clearly, personally in the person and work of Jesus. And we need no other word. Jesus is everything God wants to say to us. Are you listening?" (Chap. 1, p.20)
There's the rubber to the road. My personal profession that Jesus is the first, last and eternal Word of God requires an application response. If I'm listening to what God is saying to me in the model of Jesus, then I must seek to know and obey His Word in my own life and model, in my instructions to others, in the work He has given me to do, and in my character and person. A response to the Person of Christ is always required.
I'll discuss the warning of drifting away in the next post on this chapter. I know that several of you are still waiting on books. When your book arrives, the first chunk of reading includes the foreword, introduction and before you get started section. Then remember to work on the Chapter 1 questions in the back before you read Chapter 1.
If you're reading along, let me know in the comments what you thought.
In Chapter 1 of Hoping For Something Better, Nancy Guthrie describes this process as well regarding how God the Father from Genesis through Malachi was teaching His people about Jesus, who was to come. Hebrews is the book that gives the inside explanation on how all that had gone before is now seen clearly and fully in Jesus Christ.
In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son...Heb 1:1-2
Jesus is throughout the OT, from Genesis 1:1, He is found in the Word before He is seen in the Living Word-Flesh. Believers should joyfully celebrate Christ in the OT truths of Law, prophecy, narrative, symbolism, poetry, songs and proverbs.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading through each detail of Hebrews 1 and relishing the intimate descriptions of Jesus Christ: heir of all things, radiance of God's glory, exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. What an amazing Savior the Father has given!
What struck me in this chapter was the requirement of God to respond to His giving us the fullness of Christ. In the questions at the back of the book, Nancy asks you to express in your own words the idea of Heb. 1:1-4. I answered, "Jesus is the first, last and eternal Word of God, in His life and model, in His instruction and work, in His character and Person."
At the end of the chapter, she challenges, "God's message to us in Jesus requires a response. God has spoken to us plainly, clearly, personally in the person and work of Jesus. And we need no other word. Jesus is everything God wants to say to us. Are you listening?" (Chap. 1, p.20)
There's the rubber to the road. My personal profession that Jesus is the first, last and eternal Word of God requires an application response. If I'm listening to what God is saying to me in the model of Jesus, then I must seek to know and obey His Word in my own life and model, in my instructions to others, in the work He has given me to do, and in my character and person. A response to the Person of Christ is always required.
I'll discuss the warning of drifting away in the next post on this chapter. I know that several of you are still waiting on books. When your book arrives, the first chunk of reading includes the foreword, introduction and before you get started section. Then remember to work on the Chapter 1 questions in the back before you read Chapter 1.
If you're reading along, let me know in the comments what you thought.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Hoping for something better...
is how Nancy Guthrie pulls you in to her study on Hebrews. Coming off my own recent set of disappointments with the specifics and generalities that is constantly life, I was more than eager to read her comments. I did not want her comments to be the next 12 step program for building self-esteem, being successful with fill-in-your-blank, or heaven help us, don't worry, just be happy-isms.
Nancy does not disappoint. She hits the facts of what life is in its upheavals and frustrations and disappointments with the sincerity of one who has walked the road. What I appreciated most in this introduction though was her honest portrayal to believers of what it means to have even been disappointed in Jesus (meaning our understanding of Jesus).
Why did He, why does He work this way? The naked question every authentic soul has asked at one time.
I am an idealistic realist. I know that in Christ alone, there is something better. Most assuredly, all better, eternally better, absolutely and utterly better. But in the between time from here to there, life is hard. Really, really hard. In the small and large things of life, people, circumstances, and stuff all combine to equal hard.
Nancy writes, "The book of Hebrews is an appeal for endurance in spite of difficulty, perseverance in the face of disappointment." (Intro, p.xx) Which meant that even though Hebrews is my favorite book of the Bible, she had me hooked with that sentence. I mean, have you seen my tagline?
I chose that tagline years ago but its point still hits my heart. I am called by God to persevere in my faith, in my obedience, in my life roles, in my work. I am to trust in how God perseveres in me through each circumstance as well. And Jesus Christ is the keystone for my perseverance. Knowing Him more thoroughly, adoring Him more completely, and obeying Him more completely are the goals I took from Nancy's introduction. I loved her challenge, "The great theological teachings in Hebrews are not just to increase our theological knowledge; they are intended to serve as the basis for action."(Intro, p.xxii)
All right then, Lord, please fill me up with Your Word, the Person of Jesus Christ, and set my life to the actions of perseverance You alone have ordained.
Let me know in the comments if you are reading along with me. Feel free to comment otherwise as well.
Nancy does not disappoint. She hits the facts of what life is in its upheavals and frustrations and disappointments with the sincerity of one who has walked the road. What I appreciated most in this introduction though was her honest portrayal to believers of what it means to have even been disappointed in Jesus (meaning our understanding of Jesus).
Why did He, why does He work this way? The naked question every authentic soul has asked at one time.
I am an idealistic realist. I know that in Christ alone, there is something better. Most assuredly, all better, eternally better, absolutely and utterly better. But in the between time from here to there, life is hard. Really, really hard. In the small and large things of life, people, circumstances, and stuff all combine to equal hard.
Nancy writes, "The book of Hebrews is an appeal for endurance in spite of difficulty, perseverance in the face of disappointment." (Intro, p.xx) Which meant that even though Hebrews is my favorite book of the Bible, she had me hooked with that sentence. I mean, have you seen my tagline?
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4
I chose that tagline years ago but its point still hits my heart. I am called by God to persevere in my faith, in my obedience, in my life roles, in my work. I am to trust in how God perseveres in me through each circumstance as well. And Jesus Christ is the keystone for my perseverance. Knowing Him more thoroughly, adoring Him more completely, and obeying Him more completely are the goals I took from Nancy's introduction. I loved her challenge, "The great theological teachings in Hebrews are not just to increase our theological knowledge; they are intended to serve as the basis for action."(Intro, p.xxii)
All right then, Lord, please fill me up with Your Word, the Person of Jesus Christ, and set my life to the actions of perseverance You alone have ordained.
Let me know in the comments if you are reading along with me. Feel free to comment otherwise as well.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Husband says I do not...
really have favorites. He makes this conclusion from the fact that I have so many favorites. Which he says nullifies the idea of a fav-o-rite.
I understand his logic. I really do. But I still counter with the fact that he is my favorite Husband!
When it comes to the Bible though, I have maintained for many years that my favorite book of the Bible is Hebrews. I have not yet found a book of the Bible that I did not enjoy studying or reading. Each book as God's glorious written word, His redemptive plan towards man, His gift of Christ and the gospel--all of them are incredible in literary, spiritual and truthfully fulfilling sense.
But Hebrews....this book causes my soul to sing like no other. I run out of words to express why exactly. Part of the reason is how Hebrews is an amazing commentary on the Bible itself, like God's inner short notes on why He has done particular things, why He is still doing specific things, and how He will continue to exactly do all things.
Important stuff like that.
Hebrews is the most unique book to me in the Bible containing some of the sternest warnings and also the fullest assurances. I love how God takes the criticism of contradiction in His word and answers with the book of Hebrews. Amazing!
For my summer study, I decided to work on an in-depth study of Hebrews. I am using a book by Nancy Guthrie called Hoping for Something Better. I was privileged to hear Nancy Guthrie speak at a Women's Conference in January 2009. I had run across her story years back through a Time magazine article. Her experience with genetic illness and death of a child spoke to my heart. Reading her book Holding Onto Hope was a unique gift to me for providing new understanding of my personal grief regarding James.
I'll be blogging about what I'm learning through this study. If you do not have a Bible study to work through this summer, consider buying this book (no credits or commission come to me in any shape, fashion, form or bill denomination!) and studying Hebrews with me. Whether it is your favorite book of the Bible or not, reading through Hebrews is a life-changing gift.
Another unique aspect of Nancy's book is she has written questions at the back of the book for you to do before you read the chapters. IOW, she responsibly requires that you read actual Scripture and work through what God is saying before you read her comments. Now that is a woman of God right there. Pointing you to His word before her own.
I understand his logic. I really do. But I still counter with the fact that he is my favorite Husband!
When it comes to the Bible though, I have maintained for many years that my favorite book of the Bible is Hebrews. I have not yet found a book of the Bible that I did not enjoy studying or reading. Each book as God's glorious written word, His redemptive plan towards man, His gift of Christ and the gospel--all of them are incredible in literary, spiritual and truthfully fulfilling sense.
But Hebrews....this book causes my soul to sing like no other. I run out of words to express why exactly. Part of the reason is how Hebrews is an amazing commentary on the Bible itself, like God's inner short notes on why He has done particular things, why He is still doing specific things, and how He will continue to exactly do all things.
Important stuff like that.
Hebrews is the most unique book to me in the Bible containing some of the sternest warnings and also the fullest assurances. I love how God takes the criticism of contradiction in His word and answers with the book of Hebrews. Amazing!
For my summer study, I decided to work on an in-depth study of Hebrews. I am using a book by Nancy Guthrie called Hoping for Something Better. I was privileged to hear Nancy Guthrie speak at a Women's Conference in January 2009. I had run across her story years back through a Time magazine article. Her experience with genetic illness and death of a child spoke to my heart. Reading her book Holding Onto Hope was a unique gift to me for providing new understanding of my personal grief regarding James.
I'll be blogging about what I'm learning through this study. If you do not have a Bible study to work through this summer, consider buying this book (no credits or commission come to me in any shape, fashion, form or bill denomination!) and studying Hebrews with me. Whether it is your favorite book of the Bible or not, reading through Hebrews is a life-changing gift.
Another unique aspect of Nancy's book is she has written questions at the back of the book for you to do before you read the chapters. IOW, she responsibly requires that you read actual Scripture and work through what God is saying before you read her comments. Now that is a woman of God right there. Pointing you to His word before her own.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)