The actionable step is undoubtedly to follow through with what is written. Come boldly before the throne of grace. We do this in prayer, worship, and in diving into the word of God. Given that this application is so clearly driven, I want to focus my attention on the approachability of this throne.The throne room experience would be a terrifying one. To approach a king in those days was no light m...

16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.-Hebrews 4:16 It can be easy to feel alone in this life. Loneliness is something I have long struggled with. Let me give just a few statistics of the general atmosphere surrounding pastors.As of 2022, 65% of pastors report feeling lonely, with 18% experiencing it frequently. Anot...

There is a persuasive course throughout the book of Hebrews that challenges the reader to understand that we are not under the Old Covenant. There was a time where following the Law and walking according to the Mosaic Law was essential. That was the best of the best. But there was room given for something new. Prophecy was given that had not reached full fulfillment. There were things that had yet...

Apart from the most immediate context, which we have already extrapolated in yesterday's devotion, there are a couple examples of rest that are particularly important for us to analyze. The first example takes a look at Israel. This is also a point we have examined in detail, though we have mostly looked at the caution. What about the reward? Eventually, Joshua had led them into the Promised Land,...

Consider the Israelites. They found themselves in bondage to Pharaoh, enslaved by Egypt. They are set free with the promise of a land that is flowing with milk and honey. Then they are led to the desert where they wander for 40 years. The thing that keeps them there is their unbelief that leads to disobedience. The writer of Hebrews took the time to bring us there in chapter 3. Here in chapter 4, ...

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said:    “So I swore in My wrath,    ‘They shall not enter My r...

For the believer and non-believer, confession is a powerful tool. For the believer especially, it is particularly effective in spiritual matters. Now I am not talking about confession as addressing sin. In the Greek, the word for confession means simply, "to say the same as." We confess Jesus as Lord. We confess the Lord as victorious. Yes, we also confess our sins to Him. But we can confess the w...

There are many times in my past where I have been called to action on something. Whether it be that I was lazy, didn't actually care, or simply didn't know how to begin, I found a trend in my heart. I would wait for something to take place in me before I started to move on something. Instead of letting the change be in my action, I delayed in prayer. For subjects like "Believers Believe" I would p...

Not very long ago, I taught a message at my old church in Gilbert, Evident Life Church. While I was there, I taught what has served to be one of the most instrumental teachings I have ever given. The title of it was "Believers Believe". What a concept! My text that I came out of was Hebrews 3:7-4:10. So I will confess my own personal bias toward this lesson as I sit and reflect on this truth. Beli...

There are many instances throughout Scripture where the audience in instructed in consideration. The challenge is a simple one that causes somebody to step back and analyze what is before them. If we consider what consideration is, we instinctively are brought to a place of deeper meditation on the subject. It is so easy to simply go through life without thinking about what we are doing. The instr...

One of the most important words in all of Scripture is therefore. The reason I am so emphatic of its importance is because it serves as a continual reminder that the text we are dealing with is not isolated. As good as we may pride ourselves on being good contextual readers, it is a learned skill to hold all of the study from the previous weeks with what we are going through now. We can often forg...

We begin in Hebrews 3 with a therefore. This is one of the most powerful contextual words. It means everything that is following is directly tied to what has just been taught. Out of Jesus being the Captain of our salvation, we are are instructed to consider Him, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. In this consideration, we are given a direction to consider as well. He was faithful to t...

Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. 3 For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but He wh...

One of the more terrifying prayers that I have prayed is one that I will encourage for you to join in. "Lord, would you help me to suffer well." This is incredibly difficult to pray, for it ensures you will endure trial. You will not shrink back nor flee, for the Lord is faithful to such humble prayers. He will show you how to suffer by bringing you through suffering and giving you the endurance t...

Scripture spends a lot of words discussing the believer's mindset around suffering. In fact, we are specifically instructed to have a mind that joins in suffering. There are some serious promises that come along with those who embrace the mindset of suffering that Jesus did as well. I will confess, as I know I am in good company, that I am not that eager for suffering. But I ought not seek to avoi...