God's Certainty

I have been reading through Hebrews the past couple of days and am learning new things every time I open up my Bible. One thing I can promise that you will experience when you start digging into your Bible is that moment when you open it up and you read a passage or see a verse that was exactly what you needed to hear. Yesterday I was debating on whether or not to workout once I finished my homework and reading. I sat down to read and opened my Bible to Hebrews 4 and that entire chapter was all about resting on the Sabbath. There was my answer God, so thanks! That is just a small example but it happens all the time. It is really the best.

Today I spend time reading and reflecting over Hebrews 5 and 6.

Are you ever at a point where you feel like you've prayed the same prayer over and over again and God has done nothing about it? I think it is safe to say that a lot of you have probably felt that way about something. I know I have prayed for things before and sometimes it seems like that prayer is never answered. It's tough to keep praying about it because it seems like God will never answer it. One of Jesus's characteristics from his prayer life is talked about in Hebrews 5:7-9: "During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect he becomes the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him." What reassures me after reading those passages is that Jesus was heard because of his reverent submission. I think that is a great lesson for all that even though a prayer might not be answered right away or never even answered that it is still important to pray about it and be persistent and resilient. I was taught a very important lesson about prayer back in the day. When I was little I had this little stuffed bunny that I have had since the day I was born and whenever I lost it and couldn't find it, my mom would tell me to pray and I would pray for it, and soon after I would always find my bunny. It was one of the best lessons that my mom had ever taught me. Even to this day whenever I lose something my mom always asks me if I prayed for it. I love it. Praying for something you lose is easy but when it comes to some pretty serious things it can be tough. I recently had one of my better friends tell me last night, that he was praying for this girl he really wants to be with. He told me that he has been praying every day about it since the summer. It may or may not happen-but only God knows-even in a situation where it seems like it might be impossible for him, he prays about it every single day. I think that we can all learn a lesson about persistent prayer in that aspect. I really like the end of that verse, when it says "he learned obedience from what he suffered." When we are suffering with things we pray about every day, we are taught obedience. Persistent prayer leads to obedience in our walks with Christ.

Now, to switch it up the topic a little bit. In Hebrews we are also warned about falling away. Hebrews 5:11-14: "We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."

Sometimes when you are lead astray it may seem like you are not really given anything by God. It might feel like you get on a path that leads you to earthy things not eternal. No matter what happens, and no matter how far you might feel away from God it is impossible to not feeling anything. Hebrews 6 talks about how it is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back from repentance. When people think that, to their loss they are crucifying the Son go God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. Later on, Hebrews 6:9-12 says: "Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case-the things that have to do with salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." God is not unjust. He won't forget all of the good things that you do. He remembers every thing. We are called to be diligent during all times and that diligence will lead to what has been promise. It will also lead you to inherit all that has been promised.

There was a lot in this post tonight, and I pray that bits and pieces can be taken away and that the Holy Spirit uses some specific things to really lift you up and encourage you tonight. All of these things start with building good disciplinary habits and having faith in all the amazing things that God does.

~you are loved~