Hold Fast!

And we’re back to Monday. Another work week begins. On the horizon, Stephanie’s “homebound” teacher will make her first appearance will be this coming Friday afternoon. We are excited about that. We also have an appointment with a nutritionist Wednesday, at the recommendation of Steph’s psychiatrist. I really don’t think she will tell us anything we don’t already know, but who knows?

We had an awesome message at The Exchange, yesterday. It was called “Where’s the Lightning Bolt?” Based out of Acts 13:1-12, the main thesis of the message was “God directs his children on a need-to-know basis.” We don’t always get a lightning bolt to tell us where to go or what to do. Point one was “Knowing God’s will begins with worship preparation.” He stated that the purpose of the Church is worship! That got me pumped, because I have believed that for decades. However, there are five different aspects of worship. At the heart of worship is surrender. Surrounding surrender are the other aspects, where are praise, prayer, the Word, and using spiritual gifts. Worship is more than just singing songs of praise. All of these other things must take place, as well. In fact, it could almost be said that worship is not an event, but a lifestyle. We need to constantly put ourselves in a position to hear God.
Point two was “Following Christ sometimes means following Christ without all the answers.” We need to use what Joel calls “Holy Spirit logic.” At this point, he quoted Proverbs 3:5-6, my verses for this year. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Finally, point three was “Resistance is your friend.” God allows resistance so we will depend on his power and not ours. The challenge at the end was to commit ourselves to daily worship, putting ourselves in a position to hear the voice of God. It was an invigorating and challenging message.
We are also grateful that Joel was even able to preach yesterday. He hardly moved his left arm, obviously being in great pain.

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Today’s Bible readings:
Hebrews 10; Ezekiel 19-20; Proverbs 26:23-28

The writer of Hebrews continues in chapter 10, talking about the uselessness of sacrifices when it comes to removing sin. In actuality, all they do is remind us of sin! But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. (vv. 3-4) In verse 9, the writer states that Christ abolished the old sacrificial system, as he came to sanctify us once for all. Verse 18 is powerful. Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. We are forgiven for our sins, therefore, no more offering is necessary. Then, verses 19-25: Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Since we have all of this confidence, since we have this perfect Priest, let us not be afraid to draw near to God. We need to hold fast to our confession, because our God, who made the promise is faithful. Very importantly, we also need to encourage one another, meeting together on a regular basis. This fits right into what our “lifehouse” has been talking about. We need each other! We cannot do this alone.
Verse 26, however, begins a somber passage. For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Once again, we must look at this in light of other Scripture. We all continue to sin, and sometimes, those sins are deliberate. However, if we continue reading in this chapter, it sheds some light on the main point here. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? (vv. 28-29) I believe (as do the Reformation Study Bible notes) that this is referring to one who completely denounces his confession. In other words, one who said he believed and then, at some point, makes a complete reversal on that. The RSB notes say this: “Since God has set aside the Levitical system of animal sacrifices, those who abandon their confession of trust in Christ have nowhere to turn for forgiveness.” It is, indeed, “a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (v. 31) The writer gives an encouragement though, in verse 39: But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
Is the kind of thing he describes in this chapter even possible? I don’t believe so. I believe that the writer is being um…what’s the word? Theoretical? Figurative? I know that his main point is to encourage the Hebrew Christians to hold on fast to their confession, so he presents a warning. Here’s what happens if you DON’T hold on to it! Here’s what happens if you forsake your confession! I still don’t believe it is possible for a true believer to ultimately and finally forsake their confession of Christ.

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Father, I thank you for your grace and mercy this morning. I thank you for the perfect sacrifice of our High Priest, Jesus. I thank you that his sacrifice was made, once for all, that we no longer have to perform any kind of ritual to cleanse ourselves of sin. It is done. As Jesus, himself, said, “It is finished.” I praise you for this, Lord.
I thank you for the message we heard yesterday, and I ask for wisdom to try to live by the words that were spoken and gleaned from your Word. Let me constantly be putting myself in a position to hear your voice.
I lift up a special prayer this morning for one of our lifehouse members, who had some meltdown troubles with one of his sons yesterday morning. I pray for peace in their family. We certainly understand the disruption that a meltdown can cause, especially on a Sunday morning, when we are trying to get ourselves into a frame of mind to worship with the Family.

I pray for this day, Father. I pray that Christi and I will have a good day at our jobs, and that Stephanie will have a good day and behave at home. I pray ahead for Friday, for the teacher that will be working to completely Stephanie’s high school education. We pray for success in this venture.

I thank you for a great weekend that we had, celebrating Christi’s birthday, and my Dad’s upcoming birthday. I pray for his day on Wednesday, that he will have a blessed day.

We pray for the continued healing and recovery for Joel. Give him rest this week. May the Holy Spirit inspire him to just be still this week, giving his body time to recover.

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Hold fast to your confession, if you are a believer in Christ. Avail yourself of the encouragement that comes from meeting with other believers. Once again…we are all in this together. We cannot do it alone!

Grace and peace, friends.