Hebrews 12:8-10

For Reading and Meditation:     Hebrews 12:1-13

We ended yesterday by saying that some things in life, such as the desire to have money, can be legitimate concerns but they must be looked upon as desires and never become goals. Permit me to differentiate between the two. A goal is a purpose to which a person is unalterably committed and something for which he or...

The words chastening, chasteneth, chastisement and chastened occur seven times in the first 11 verses of Hebrews 12:1-29. As a result it is easy for the casual reader to get a wrong impression. He might easily picture God as an angry Father who is forever whipping His children. This misconception arises from thinking of chastening as nothing but punishment.

It is a great relief to learn that chastening in the New Testament has a much...

He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness.We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has given to...

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you. § If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.The Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.The Lord...

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.We have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word … It is good for me that I have been...

The heavens are not pure in His sight, how much less man, who is abominable and filthy, who drinks iniquity like water! § The stars are not pure in His sight, how much less man, who is a maggot?Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness? § Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts.As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” § Be partakers of His holiness. The temple of God...

For you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. § Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? § Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! § I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of...

For they disciplined us only a short time, as it seemed proper to them; but He does it for our good, in order that we may share His holy character" (Heb. 12:10, Wms.).

It is only natural to feel that our need requires immediate victory, but the truth is that we cannot come to maturity...

Heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ - sharing His inheritance with Him; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory" (Rom. 8:17, Amp.).

The term "profit and loss" is reversed in the Christian life to "loss and profit." The principle never varies: our losses are...

Thou art my God. My times are in Thy hand " (Ps. 31:14; 15).

The environment necessary for one's growth, and the enablement necessary for one's service, are both in the hands of one's Creator. "So He...