Hebrews 4:16

For Reading and Meditation:     Lamentations 3:19-27

Now we come to the turning point of the seventy-third psalm - the point where the psalmist takes the first step toward the resolution of his problem. We must not forget that the purpose of this psalm is to show us how the writer solved his problem, so that when we get into the same kind of difficulty we can apply...

For Reading and Meditation:     Hebrews 4:1-16

We turn now to consider that facet of God's character which we describe as "grace." Grace is more than a synonym for love; it is a characteristic of the Deity which is quite close to love (and mercy) but yet deserves to be seen as different and distinctive. I heard an old Welsh preacher say: "Grace is a word with a...

For Reading and Meditation:     Psalm 139:1-24

We continue exploring the fact that God is not only powerful, but personal. The constituent parts of personality are predicated of God on almost every page of the Bible. "I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in my heart and mind," said the Lord to Eli in

For Reading and Meditation:     Hebrews 4:12-16

Yesterday we ended with the case of the woman who said that she didn't know how to mourn, when in reality her problem was she didn't want to mourn. Whenever we are unwilling to face a negative emotion, it implies that we are not in control of it, but that it is in control of us. Christians are often taught to pretend...

The mercy of God is His pity, lovingkindness and compassion on those who are guilty, failing, distressed or needy. The Scriptures emphasize that God is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4) and plenteous in mercy (Psalms 86:5). His mercy is abundant (1 Peter 1:3); it is great unto the heavens (Psalms 57:10). "For as the...

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died … who also makes intercession for us. § Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. § There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens,...

[Jesus], because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. § [He] is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory.Seeing … that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who...

The way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest. § Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.Brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh … let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our...

Pursue … holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. § God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. § But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags. § By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified.This is the law of the temple: The whole area surrounding the mountaintop is most holy. § Holiness adorns Your house, O Lord, forever.For their sakes I...