Hebrews

Hebrews

Summary: I love the study of Jewish thought but I even I get lost a bit in trying to fully comprehend this book. Hebrews is most likely written by a student of Paul's whom was a companion of Timothy. It is filled with Jewish thought on Christian life, heresy and Christology this Epistle comes with a mandatory need to go through it with the Holy Spirit. That being said I found a few highlights I thought interesting. 

Things I Noticed:

1. Having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent then theirs. (It is an interesting verse when Jesus is compared to angels.)

2. Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.
3. While God also bore witness by signs and and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
4. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted
5. unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by deceitful sin.
6. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (This is a concept perpetuated in the book of Ephesians in reference to the Word of God being a sword. In studying spiritual warfare this is way it is always emphasized to memorize the bible. Jesus was easily able to quote scripture when being tempted in the desert that being said jewish boys had the first five books of the Bible memorize by thirteen.) 
7. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
8. For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come. (The verse really hits us hard when we thing of people we know who fall away. Though this can be true we know prayer has an effect and God can change even the hardest of hearts.)
9. We who shave fled for refuge might have strong encouragement  to hold fast to the hope set before us.
10. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession fro them.
11. I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts and I will be their God.
12. Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
13. 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.
14. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 
15. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death.
16. And without faith it is impossible to please him.
17. Through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.  (Faith is a powerful thing full of life and power to change the world around. Most of all it pleases the creator of all.)
18.  Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.
19. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (Before being lashed or crucified Jesus resisted sin in the garden to the point of sorrow and sweating of blood.)
20. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving the kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.
21. Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers
22. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated.
23. Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed undefiled for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
24. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
25. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teaching

I am moving onto book two of the Psalms things tend to find a rhythm and flow in song and poetry and Psalms is no exceptions. Then again King David like all of us had his ups and downs. In the road through the new testament I going to visit Mark and see Jesus through his eyes so be expecting that.   Till then, Read up, Post up, and Shalom.

Psalms Book One

Psalms Book I

Summary: The book of Psalms is King David in his own words. Filled with songs, poetry and sonnets this book gives us insight into the mind of the shepherd king and his choir masters. Filled with triumphs highs an lows. One can follow the struggle of a man who lead a nation, went to war and even was caught in sin. This entry is the first of five since the Psalms are broken into five books. This Covers from Psalm one through forty-one.

Things I Noticed:

1. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous.
2. But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. (Truly a majestic image if you think of a king and knight.)
3. Be angry and do not sin.
4. Heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.
5. What is man that you are mindful of him. (He created the universe and holds it together. Still he is mindful of our hearts, souls and prayers.)
6. Under the tongue are mischief and iniquity.
7. Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart "You will not call account."
8. My Lord cut off all flattering lips. (Kind of wonder what kind of mood David was in.)
9. The fool says in his heart "There is not God." (So David knew some atheists.)
10. Oh Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill. (The answer) He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart.
11. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy.
12. As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness. (This is a very interesting rote since talks about seeing God and then being in his likeness.)
13. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 

14. God rode on cherub and flew; he came swiftly on the wings of the wind.
15. By my God I can leap over walls. (Not like retaining walls but like two or three story walls.)
16. The word of the Lord proves true:
17. Your gentleness made me great.
18. The Law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.
19. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to your sight.
20. Some trust cars and some in Harley, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. (I took liberties)
21. Yet you are Holy enthroned on the praises of Israel.
22. Who shall ascend to the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in the holy place? (The answer) He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and sue not swear deceitfully.
23. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness form the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. (This is a strong promise)
24. Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me.
25. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
26. The Lord is the strength of his people,
27. His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night but joy comes with the morning.
28. Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord faithful God.
29. Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
30. Praise befits the upright.
31. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him.
32. Oh taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
33. Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
34. Vindicate me, O Lord, my God, according to your righteousness. (David is smart he is wise enough to know his own righteousness is not enough)
35. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God
36. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.
37. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.
38. The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives.
39. Wait for the Lord and keep his way; and he will exalt you to inherit the land
40. All mankind stands as a mere breath.
41. I waited patiently on the Lord he inclined and heard my cry.

Take it up and drink it in. The words throughout Psalms are like a cold drink in hot summer weather. Take your fill and as you do wait as I bring the book of Hebrews  to you. To be honest Hebrews to my wise like a cup of coffee. Great smelling but weird and bitter in taste.  Till then, Read up, Post up, and Shalom.