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Hebrews 13 - Leaders & Teachers

In the later part of this chapter is a verse that instructs most believers in their relationship to their leaders. Today as I read this I found myself on the other side of the balance. I have moved into a position of leadership - in my home, in my church , and even at work.

Hebrews 13:17 Obey your spiritual leaders and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they know they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this joyfully and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.

I really haven't thought much about the fact that my job is to watch over the souls of those God has placed in my care and sphere of influence. What a powerful statement! It is quite similar to another humbling and frightening verse about leadership.

James 3:1 Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged by God with greater strictness.

I like what the writer of Hebrews says, "Give them reason to do this joyfully..." I know that in my home it is certainly easier to lead when I don't have to squash adolescent rebellion first. It is a very careful balancing act between discipline and allowing freedom for the growth of those in my charge. After all, the desire of any teacher should be to have the pupil eventually become a master himself.

I still remember proudly the time when one of the youth that I was working with beat me in a game of chess. I can't claim credit for his knowing how to play. But by practicing against me regularly, he eventually got to the point where he could beat me.

In a rather strange twist of God's providence, several years later I became his stepfather. However, by the time I married his mother, he was a young man living on his own already. But, now he learns from me on an entirely new level. As a result of things his father did and didn't do, he is quite cynical about Christianity. He is learning first-hand by watching my life if this Jesus stuff is truly something that a person can live. It is a responsibility that sometimes haunts me. I must guard what I do to ensure that Jesus' reputation and character are not sullied due to me. If I do this faithfully, perhaps, Lord willing, my stepson will find something attractive about the life that he sees his mother and brothers now living.

Lord, help me to keep Your reputation pure. Sometimes I am the only Jesus that people see. Please help my mirror to stay clean, so that they see You, and not me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Peace, Jan
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(Update: On July 22, 2008, my stepson fully committed his life to the Lord! Part of the reason he gave for his decision was due to watching the life that his mother and I live. I am humbled...)

Hebrews 12 - Distractions

As I'm contemplating today's chapter, I'm doing so from the solitude of my closet. It is a large walk-in variety which is used for overflow storage. But, I've also turned it into a study, complete with computer and desk. When I close the door and turn on some soothing music, all outward distractions vanish. I think one of the worst killers of intimacy with God, or anyone for that matter, are distractions. I suspect that is why the author of Hebrews penned the following verse.

Hebrews 12:1 Since we are surrounded by so many examples of faith, we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up.

Note that he is not referring only to sins. He says everything. In my life I've found that as I intentionally work at my relationship with my bride and my children, that I have had to give some things up.

I used to watch one or two hours of TV a night, but now if I watch an hour or two a week, it is a rare. I have better, more important things to fill my time. My family needs me now, not after the program or during commercial breaks. They are to be a priority, not a distraction.

I've also come to realize that my job is a means to my life, it is not my life. This is something that few every really  understand. Oh sure, they intellectually assent to the truism, but they never really understand it deep within their core. If I'm totally honest, I find that within even me it is still a process that is being worked through. But being aware of something is half the battle.

As I'm daily learning what it is to live with a perspective on eternity, I'm finding that temporal pleasures or distractions are lessened in their appeal.

I still have a long way to go. I find myself frustrated when a project or desire I have is thwarted by something that is necessary and often a much better use of my time. I also find that there are sins that follow me around like a cat that I've made the mistake of feeding. And, I suspect that is the problem. An occasional feeding is all that it takes to maintain that sin's interest in me.

I must focus more on the goal, set my face like a flint, and run the race Christ has set before me. I pray that you can do likewise.

To that end, I'm involved with a group of brothers in the Wildmen ministry. They help me to maintain my focus, reminding me that I'm not alone, and I affect others by my choices or lack thereof.

Hebrews 10:25 We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming.

Thank You Father that I have men in my life that encourage me. Thank You that I can do likewise for them. Please give me wisdom in dealing with issues of life and echoes of sins that refuse to die. Give me the strength to drop those things in my life that are displeasing to You. Help me to continue to feed on Your Word - the only true source of strength. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Lose the extra baggage. Jan
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Hebrews 11 - Elapsed Time

My former boss recently ran in the Disney Marathon. Prior to the race, each runner is given a device that they attach to themselves. It electronically measures when they pass the starting line, checkpoints, and finally the finish line. Therefore, it does not matter if someone starts an hour ahead of you, the actual elapsed time that you ran is what is measured; that is how the winner is determined.

In today's reading, just after the listing all of the various heroes of the faith, I see something very similar to the Disney Marathon. It says that there is something waiting for those that have died before us, those that started the race ahead of us. There is something they can't receive yet.

Hebrews 11:39-40 All of these people we have mentioned received God's approval because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had far better things in mind for us that would also benefit them, for they can't receive the prize at the end of the race until we finish the race.

What I had not seen before is that until everyone, all of us, have run our earthly race, God cannot hand out the trophies. He can't hand out prizes until He knows all of our scores - our elapsed time.

It is kind of strange and humbling to think that I'm in competition with Moses, David, Samuel, and a host of others that I personally don't think I could ever measure up to. But I must remind myself that even Rahab is counted amongst the heroes, simply because she did what was wise and right. So, perhaps there is some hope of me getting at least an honorable mention.

Thank You Father that I'm even allowed to run in this race. I'm out of shape, lazy, stop too often, and don't train enough. But I am determined to finish the course that You've laid out - with Your help. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Run for the prize. Jan
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Hebrews 10 - Persistence & Reward

There are days that I get discouraged that more people don't participate in dBrag. I cannot understand why reading and sharing God's word is not a priority and passion in life to them; instead it is merely another thing to do.

But praise God, He always shines a ray of light whenever there is a cloud of gloom. Just today my mother actually dBragged. Also, yesterday, as a result of my dBrags being on the internet, an old friend located me!

Hebrews 10:24-25, 35-36
Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.

Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

I love to read comments on what has been written by myself and others. It is so cool to interact with people all over the world. Days like yesterday and today only serve to remind me that I must have patient endurance at times. Because if I do, I will receive all that God has promised. Therefore as a result of this daily virtual meeting together, I am encouraged.

Thank You Father for those that are faithful to read and write daily. They are a true encouragement. Also thank You for those that try, to be consistent, but life gets in the way. Please give them the grace to work out their schedules. And for those of my siblings that should read and write but aren't, please convict their hearts. In Jesus' name Amen.

Don't give up. Jan
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Hebrews 9 - Doomsday Clock

There is a clock at the University of Chicago named the "Doomsday Clock". It was started in 1947 by the Board of Directors of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists to represent how close the world is to annihilation in a nuclear conflagration. Presently the hands are at seven minutes to midnight - doomsday. Based upon world events they move the hands closer or further from midnight. Every time they move the hands closer to midnight, the world and everyone on it are closer to death. At one point in 1953, at the height of nuclear testing, the hands were only two minutes from midnight.

We all have a similar clock in Heaven. It is our personal doomsday clock.

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment

I take comfort and some frustration at the previous verse. The comfort comes in knowing that I have an appointed date and time to die. That is of course unless I do something really stupid to move up my "appointment". What this means is that my death will be no surprise to God. In fact in Psalms He calls the death of one of His own "precious".

When the "fullness of time" comes, my time will come. Of course, that is where the frustration comes in - when is it? I wonder how differently I would live my life if I knew exactly when I was going to die?

I can just see Jesus in Heaven looking at His watch, "Father, He only has thirty years, three days, four hours, and thirty two minutes. Why is he just sitting there watching a TV show that he's already seen? Jan, get up! There are people out that that only you can reach on my behalf."

Yours and my doomsday clocks are ticking. What are you doing with the time you have left?

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for my cavalier attitude about my life. I do not live it in an earnest expectation of Your Son's return. Help me to budget whatever time You've given me more wisely. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Tick, tick, tick... Jan
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Hebrews 8 - Forgetting

We have a cat named Cinco. He is a cute little fur-bag, but he has one trait that is somewhat perplexing. We, my wife and my children, have never abused the little guy. Yet, whenever you raise a hand to above him, to pet him, or scratch behind his ear, he cowers a bit. I suspect that at some point in his life he has been hit hard and often. He cannot forget what was done early in his life, it is ingrained. Once you start to pet him or scratch behind his ears, he's very contented, but getting there is sometimes tricky.

I don't know about you, but I don't have too difficult of a time forgiving someone. As Sid in the movie Ice Age said, "I'm too lazy to hold a grudge." But, like Cinco, it is forgetting that I don't do. In fact, I don't think that it is wise to do. After all if we forgive, then forget; what is to prevent the same thing from being perpetrated on us over and over again? As a wise brother told me recently, true forgiving is letting go of my right to get even. It is not about being stupid. But I see God promising that He will forget my sins!

Hebrews 8:12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.

I find this astounding! Not only does He forgive me, but He treats me as if it never happened. There is no thought on His part, "Gee, I'd love to let you, but you have history...". No He has redeemed us and expects us to live like it. Wow!

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your gift of forgiveness and forgetting. May I not abuse it. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Fugedaboudit. Jan
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Hebrews 7 - Disappearing Trick?

I distinctly remember the following being said by Jesus.

Matthew 5:18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

Today I see this section of scripture.

Hebrews 7:11-12, 18-19, 22b, 28
If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come - one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law.

The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

...Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

At first glance it looks like a dichotomy. However if I look carefully at what Jesus said in Matthew, I see that it was He that fulfilled, or accomplished everything through His sacrificial death - once and for all. Therefore we are no longer under the old law, with its inflexible regulations of minutiae that did not thing but condemn. Instead we are now under redemptive grace; which is extended to everyone. The law has disappeared as my accuser.

Father, thank You that I don't have to bring innocent animals to be slaughtered to cover my sins. I'm not sure that I could afford all of the livestock that would be required. Please help me to live in a manner worthy of the gift that You have given me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

We are free for the law of death. Jan
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Hebrews 6 - Anchor

If you've ever been to our home you'll notice that the staircase to our bedroom is lined with lighthouse models and pictures. Many of my weekends in the 1980's and 1990's were spent at a pond running radio control model boats. Our honeymoon was a cruise. The most exciting thing to me about a recent trip to St. Augustine was visiting the lighthouse. So you'd think that someone with that type of passion would know a lot about lighthouses, sea craft, and naval lore; well I don't. I just like boats and things nautical. A verse in today's reading reinforced that concept for me.

Hebrews 6:19 This confidence is like a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain of heaven into God's inner sanctuary.

The confidence that God has made a promise, and that He will fulfill it, are likened to an anchor. It is a great visual. I have no huge insight. I just like it.

Thank You Father for little pleasures, and for huge promises. In Jesus' name, Amen.

He is our immovable anchor! Jan
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Hebrews 5 - Weaning

I have never gone through weaning an infant myself, but I've been told that sometimes you must sour-the-milk. The baby prefers the easy meal of just swallowing milk to the difficult work of chewing and then swallowing. In fact if a child is not weaned by the time teeth appear, the constant presence of milk will cause the teeth to rot.

Hebrews 5:12-14
For even though by this time you ought to be teaching others, you actually need someone to teach you over again the very first principles of God's Word. You have come to need milk, not solid food.

For everyone who continues to feed on milk is obviously inexperienced and unskilled in the doctrine of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action), for he is a mere infant [not able to talk yet]!

But solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law.

If we are having trouble with difficult bible concepts, and trouble with making moral decisions, it is because we are not properly weaned. We need to force ourselves to stretch, to expand our logic and biblical knowledge by reading things that perhaps might seem difficult at first. Perhaps it is time to engage in the terrifying task (for some) of being a volunteer. People are dying all around us, going to hell. What are we doing to prevent it? God doesn't want our ability, He wants our availability.

If we don't do it ourselves, He will do it for us. He will start to sour the milk. Don't make Him take you through this unpleasant process. He will force you from your comfort zone and make you search for nourishment from Him. His presence will feel far from us, He will push us away while we will cry, scream and pout; begging for milk. But He will kindly and gently reply, "No my child, try this instead. I know what is best for you."

Choose solid food.
Jan
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Hebrews 4 - Disobedience

Apparently the writer of Hebrews, who's identity we don't know, did not believe in once saved - always saved. He has used too many descriptions to indicate contrariwise - that we can "fall short" and "not enter in". Today's reading contains several more.

Hebrews 4:1 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.

Hebrews 4:6 It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience.

Hebrews 4:11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.

The writer is then clear in telling us that God knows everything. So we should not bother trying to hid our sins from Him.

Hebrews 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

But wait there's more! There is great hope. "That verse didn't look so hopeful", you might rightly say. "So if He sees it all, where is the hope?" It is in the next two verses.

Hebrews 4:15-16 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

The writer is clearly saying that we will sin, that we will disobey. It is in verse sixteen. The word mercy is used. You don't offer mercy to someone that hasn't committed a crime. When we approach the throne with confidence, because we are part of the royal family now, we are promised an audience. And since Jesus paid for our sins, we are promised mercy and grace (God's Riches At Christ's Expense).

Men much smarter than me have debated the OSAS issue for centuries and cannot come to a consensus. The bottom line, as I told a brother recently, is that we should be living so much for Christ that the question of, "Can I be falling away?", never enters our minds or that of those around us.

Thank You Father for mercy and grace. Thank You that Jesus is my high priest who sympathizes with my weaknesses. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Peace. Jan
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Hebrews 3 - Master Builder

In January, Lord willing, I will have worked for Arthur Rutenberg Homes for twelve years. I am proud to work here because I know that our homes always receive top honors in surveys and in builder's competitions. Yet, I am still somewhat surprised by how widely known Art's name is. Yes, we call him Art. And even though he is now seventy-nine years old, I see him in our office almost every day. It is inspiring to watch him express the passion for what he does. He is dedicated to building the brand-name and ensuring that it continues beyond his lifetime. He is a master-builder that has been doing this type of work for fifty years.

Yet, we are somewhat unique in the home building industry in that we are a franchise company. What that means is that we, the corporate office, don't actually build anything. We find other builders such as Joe's Custom Homes, who wants to increase his market share and improve his product offering, and license the use of; the Arthur Rutenberg name, our volume buying power, advertising, new floor plans, customized floor plans, estimating, interior design, and back end computing systems. This new franchisee is allotted a geographical area in which to build that ensures that he does not directly compete with any of our other franchisees. It is an arrangement that usually works very well.

I say usually, because there are times that our franchisees do not live up to their franchise agreement. They may have built the homes improperly - not adhering to our rigid standards. They may have undercapitalized and cannot complete homes already under construction. There are a myriad of things that can go wrong. It is at those unpleasant times that action must be taken to preserve the most vital asset the company possesses - our good name. Usually this will involve some sort of penalties and litigation. It can even result in the termination of the offender's franchise contract. However, no matter what the outcome, damage control must come into play. That is when we, the franchisor, do all that is within our power to rectify the situation for the customer that owns or is building an Arthur Rutenberg home.

Let's look at some scripture that directly relates to this.

Hebrews 3:3-6 A man who builds a house receives more honor than the house itself. In the same way Jesus is worthy of much greater honor than Moses. Every house, of course, is built by someone—and God is the one who has built all things. Moses was faithful in God's house as a servant, and he spoke of the things that God would say in the future. But Christ is faithful as the Son in charge of God's house.

In Hebrews chapter three Jesus is described as the Master Builder. Just like Art, he has others doing the construction work. Some of them are faithful like Moses. Others could be compared to our faithless franchisees, and He must discipline them. But ultimately it is Jesus that ensures all is done according to His standards. Therefore He is called the builder. Christ is the one that is in charge. His name is on the company's letterhead.

Hebrews 3:9-10 There they put me to the test and tried me, says God, although they had seen what I did for forty years. And so I was angry with those people and said, "They are always disloyal and refuse to obey my commands.'

Franchisees who don't adhere to our standards and do shoddy work must be dealt with. In the same way God must discipline those that don't follow His commands and live up to His standards.

Hebrews 3:14 For we are all partners with Christ if we hold firmly to the end the confidence we had at the beginning.

We have a network of about forty model homes throughout the state that a potential buyer can visit. It does not matter which of our franchisees did the work, it is an Arthur Rutenberg that is built to our standards. A single franchisee could never afford to construct that many model homes. Our franchisees are all partners together in this enterprise. By working together they all benefit. In this way many of our eighty various plans can be seen live, and the customer can choose what they'd like to have built.

Hebrews 3:19 We see, then, that they were not able to enter the land, because they did not believe.

Again, those franchisees that do not hold to our standards, didn't believe if you will, lose their franchise. They cannot participate or call themselves by a much better name than their own - Arthur Rutenberg. They do not get to experience the promised land of greater profits and larger product offering.

Hebrews 3:13 Instead, in order that none of you be deceived by sin and become stubborn, you must help one another every day, as long as the word "Today" in the scripture applies to us.

Since our franchisees do not compete for business with each other, most are willing to communicate with each other and help each other out. They will share successes, tips on where to purchase materials, and what works and what doesn't. In short, since they are in the Arthur Rutenberg franchise system, they work for the success of the Arthur Rutenberg franchise system. We must do likewise in regards to Christ's kingdom. We each have an exclusive franchise territory in our own homes that we must wisely build in for Christ. But we are not an island unto ourselves, we are not in competition. Our actions and inactions affect others every day. Either we are in Christ or not. Choose.

Heavenly Father, thank you that You have lessons for life hidden throughout scripture. All we need to do is look. Help me to be a faithful worker on the house that You've placed me into. Please give me the grace to build my family and siblings in Christ in ways that please You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Be a good franchisee. Jan
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Hebrews 2 - Grave Robber

This past weekend my cousin Ricky Beard went home to be with the Lord. He was only in his mid forties. His funeral is today at three in the afternoon. Ricky was born with a heart defect that left him weak and required many surgeries throughout his life. I wonder if death was a bit different for him than for most of us? Most of us have varying degrees of fear of death. After all death is not normal. It was not God's original design for us. Death came about only after eating the forbidden fruit, and the subsequent banishment from the garden that held the tree of life. From the onset, death has been a horrible thing that robs us of something that we held dear. To further drive the point home of how unnatural death truly is, think about this, the very first death was a murder!

Genesis 4:8 Cain had words with his brother. They were out in the field; Cain came at Abel his brother and killed him.

But praise be to God, we who call Jesus our brother have a great hope and a future. Our death is not a time for us to sorrow; those left behind may for a time, but we will be rejoicing in the halls of heaven. Because it is He, Jesus, that broke the bondage of the fear of death forever. He died and rose again proving that death could never retain it's hold on Him. And since we belong to Him, Jesus, our Grave Robber, will steal us right out of death's icy hand. He will take us home.

Hebrews 2:14-15 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil - and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

We need no longer fear death. I admit that the process of death is sometimes quite fearful; disease, debilitating injuries and such, but the result, the end, is a glorious eternity with Christ.

So back to my question; if we are suffering or continually ill, does death become less fearsome? I suspect that that it might - at least for the one that is dying. Those that are left behind still lament and grieve the severing of a relationship, the physical lack of a loved one. But, how horrible it must be for those that have hope only in this life.

1 Corinthians 15:19-26

And if we have hope in Christ only for this life, we are the most miserable people in the world.

But the fact is that Christ has been raised from the dead. He has become the first of a great harvest of those who will be raised to life again. So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, Adam, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man, Christ. Everyone dies because all of us are related to Adam, the first man. But all who are related to Christ, the other man, will be given new life. But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised first; then when Christ comes back, all his people will be raised. After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having put down all enemies of every kind. For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. And the last enemy to be destroyed is death.

What an awesome promise in the above verses! The last enemy, death, will be humbled beneath the feet of Christ and destroyed - forever. Never again will people fear death, it will be gone. One of my favorite music groups, Petra, wrote a song about this very thing. The words to the song are below. They are truly inspired.

Grave Robber
Words & Music by Bob Hartman

There's a step that we all have to take alone
An appointment we have with the great unknown
Like a vapor this life is just waiting to pass
Like the flowers that fade like the withering grass
But life seems so long and death so complete
And the grave an impossible portion to cheat
But there's One who has been there and still lived to tell
There is One who has been through both heaven and hell
And the Grave will come up empty handed that day
Jesus will come and steal us away

(chorus)
Where is the sting tell me where is the bite
When the grave robber comes like a thief in the night
Where is the victory where is the prize
When the grave robber comes
And death finally dies

Many still mourn and many still weep
For those that they love who have fallen asleep
But we have this hope though our hearts may still ache
Just one shout from above and they all will awake
(And) in the reunion of joy we will see
Death will be swallowed in sweet victory

When the last enemy is gone from the dust will come a song
Those asleep will be awakened - not a one will be forsaken
He shall wipe away our tears - He will steal away our fears
There will be no sad tomorrow - there will be no pain or sorrow.

Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing Your Son to suffer death's terrible agony, so that for me it will only be momentary. Thank You for the gift of eternal life. And thank You that I will see Ricky again. In Jesus' name, Amen.

The Grave Robber is coming - rejoice!
Jan
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Hebrews 1 - Servants

I find an fascinating description of angels in this chapter.

Hebrews 1:4 But angels are only servants. They are spirits sent from God to care for those who will receive salvation.

God's angels are servants sent to care for me? What a concept. The most power beings in the universe besides God, and their job is to care for me. Wow.

Thank You Lord for providing me with more than I could ever ask or deserve. You gave me the free gift of eternal life, anything else is pure grace. Thank You for angelic support. In Jesus' name, Amen.

His angels watch over you. Jan
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