As we conclude the book of Hebrews today there is one final thought we want to pull from it.  Throughout the whole  book the focus of Hebrews is teaching about who exactly Jesus Christ is and what it means to walk by faith.  It is in the later chapters the author defines faith and then gives examples of how others had trusted and followed God.

We have read that application of faith is of the utmost importance.  So we conclude our reading of Hebrews by looking at ways in which we can live out our faith today.  We do this in reaching out and loving our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  As you go to community (small) group be deliberate in your conversations with one another.  Make an extra effort to listen to the persons you are speaking to.  Also, reach out to complete strangers.  Open the door for a person, help someone to their car, by the person in front of you a cup of coffee.  Who knows you may be ministering to an angel?  Lastly, think of someone you know who is down on their luck.  Give them a call, drop them an email or maybe do something special for them.

Our faith is not just based on our beliefs, it is reflected in how we live.  May we be people who are daily learning to walk as Jesus walked and love as Jesus loved.

Jesus had looked at this picture very different.  It was a time of celebrating knowing that victory had come.  He was able to take in the excitedment of the people.  He welcomed their enthuisasm, knowing their hope was for the Messiah to be present.

There was also the other side of what Jesus was feeling.  He knew that victory was present but he also knew he had to finish the course to bring about the complete victory.  This victory would cost him his very life.  This vicotry would be won through pain and yet he was willing to go through with it.

We are in a similar state as a Christian.  We know that death is defeated and our salvation is secure.  We understand that the stronghold of sin no longer has control over us.  What we also know is we must finish the course of this life.  We, like Jesus know that victory is in the present and we hold onto the future one as well.  There is pain ahead of us.  We are going to be tempted and tried.  We also know that as we hold on to the present victory we, like Jesus can celebrate in the moment because of the victory that we have.

It was the teachers of the Law that wanted to pin Jesus down and have him answer in a way to trap him.  The disciples and others wanted to keep the children and lame away from Jesus not to bother him but he welcomed them.  Matter a fact he was bothered by how the children were pushed aside.  What about the rich man, he wanted to be that person who did all the right things and Jesus confronted the treasure he valued most.  And what about the two who wanted to be great, Jesus said, greatness is symbolized by being a servant rather then a king.

There is a lesson about the Christian faith and how we deal with people.  First, Jesus dealt with the heart of the person.  He was more concerned with the deception that had taken hold rather then the perfect person.  God wants to deal with our hearts.  Secondly, Jesus dealt with each person differently.  He never swayed from who he was or what he stood for.  Rather he was sensitive to the person in front of him and dealt with the situation by dealing with the individual.

Today, we will all interact with many people.  Be like Jesus and look past the surface and ask God to help you speak to the heart of the person before you.

It is in Mark 4 Jesus gives a parable of a farmer scattering seed.  We read that the seed fell on different terrain: rocky, shallow, thorns and good soil.  For three of the terrains the seed would not take root.  For one the seed was able to thrive and grow to its full potential.

There is one sentence that has stood out in this teaching, “but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth and the desire for other things.”  This statment is very real to each of us because people want to know God.  People want to hear and embrace what God has for them.  We all desire to absorb the Good News.  The truth is we allow things of this world to steal the message and kingdom of God from us.

What soil is your heart?  We are being asked today to quiet our soul in order that the things around us do not steal the joy and the plan God has for us today.  One simple tip- turn off the radio or the cell phone in the car and use that time as an opportunity to quiet yourself and hear the voice of God speak to you.

In the midst of this excitement there is a small section in this first chapter that makes me sit back and ponder, “Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.”  In the hype of all that was going on there was a main priority in the life of Jesus and that was seeking the Father’s will.  Everything Jesus did came through the guidance of God the Father.  This was the discipline of his everyday life.

How do we know this?  When the disciples found Jesus he told them they were to go to the next place.  The next place?! But what about the crowds?  To Jesus it wasn’t about the recognition it was about obedience to do the will of his Father.

As you go throughout this day choose tomorrow to rise early and begin to seek God’s guidance.  Learn to trust God as Jesus trusted Him on an everyday basis.  He already has plans for your life, so choose to walk in the perfect plan of God.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the LORD. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”

In our day of age prophecy is not something most people believe in.  The Biblical teaching and understanding of prophecy is often overlooked and kept quiet because of the fear that God does not speak in such a manner anymore.  Is this true?

I strongly believe in prophecy.  God, throughout history has used people to bring words of warning or encouragement to what will take place in the future.  This belief comes through trusting that God’s word is never changing.  I also believe this because we are told in the New Testament that prophecy is a gift used within the church.  I also believe this becuase of words of prophecy that I have seen come true.

Reading chapter 11 is very confusing and even makes a person wonder how does this apply to me?  Here is the thought for this day:  we are being invited to see and hear how God communicates in new ways.  This starts with believing how God speaks to his people whether through the words of Scripture, the still small voice of the Holy Spirit and even the bizarre means of prophecy.

As we have looked at the life of Daniel we have seen that throughout his abduction he has seen many leaders come and go.  In every changing of the guard God had used Daniel to be a voice of wisdom for each of the kings.  God had given Daniel favor with those in the highest position.  Why?

As you read the book of Daniel and come to what seemed to be a defining moment we learn something very simple, Daniel never seemed to be shaken by those who opposed him.  There were countless times when the enchanters, magistates, administrators and others were jealous of Daniel and tried to get him destracted by fear.  Threats were made to him and decrees were put in place thinking they would cause Daniel to shrink back from worshipping the God of Heaven.  Did this shake Daniel?

How often do we allow others to strike fear into our hearts?  The answer is too often.  Daniel lived faithfully in relationship with God.  One thing Daniel did was when the heat in the fire of persecussion was turned up, he saught God even more.  In every situation God had rescued Daniel.  Every time Daniel was a testimony to the power of God.

Do you want to experience the power of God in your life? Do you have a desire for others to witness the power of God? SImply do this, DO NOT BE SHAKEN!  Allow the circumstances of your life to draw you closer to God knowing whether you are thrown into a fiery furnace or into a den of lions God is your rescuer.  Who knows, maybe someone is watching and waiting to praise God because of His power being displayed in YOU?