A Rest for the People of God

“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.” (Hebrews 4:9; NKJV)

The book of Hebrews contains a number of warning signs. One is found in Hebrews 3:12. The Israelites of old failed to enter the promised land of Canaan because of their “unbelief” (Hebrews 3:19). Hebrew Christians are warned about the possibility of being “hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13). “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12; NKJV). It is possible to believe in God and to obey. It is also possible to hear His voice and to harden one’s heart in rebellion (Hebrews 3:7-8). According to the Hebrew writer, the choice is ours.

Life “under the sun” consists of lies, deception, temptation, sin, suffering, and death. We all suffer. Good people suffer. Bad people suffer. Everyone suffers. Suffering did not exist in Eden. It is a consequence of the fall. We live in a sin-cursed world. It was never God’s will for His people to suffer deception. It was never God’s will for His people to sorrow, to endure pain, to die. Sorrow, pain and suffering, swear or tears, and physical death remind us that things are amiss in this world (see Genesis 3:16-19).

Because of our suffering we are tired. Tired of the deception. Tired of the lies. Tired of our own sin and the sin of others. Tired of suffering. Life in a sin-cursed world is wearisome. We are tired.

The Hebrew writer speaks of rest in Hebrews chapters three and four. Rest communicates a ceasing from activity. By Hebraism, the word the Spirit uses in Hebrews has to do with an “abode” (Strong’s). In Hebrews 4:9 another word for “rest” is used by the Spirit. This word is sabbatismos. The Sabbath of the Old Covenant was a day of rest the people of God enjoyed once a week. The sabbatismos of Hebrews 4:9 “is the perpetual Sabbath ‘rest’ to be enjoyed uninterruptedly by believers in their fellowship with the Father and the Son, in contrast to the weekly Sabbath under the Law” (Vine’s). God knows our frame. He knows we are tired. He has provided something better for us.

Beloved, hang in there! Hold on to your faith! Like Joshua and Caleb, be strong and courageous in the Lord! “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience” (Hebrews 4:11; NKJV).

Jason

As For Me and My House

“And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15; NKJV).

The Hebrew word for courage ('amats) means “to be strong, to be alert, to be courageous, to be brave, to be stout, to be bold, to be solid, to be hard” (Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon). Courage is an issue of the heart. Fathers, GOD is calling you to be a braveheart!

The opposite of a brave heart is a faint heart – a cowardheart. Men who don’t develop brave hearts break hearts. Not all men betray. And not all men lose heart. Not all men do impulsive, self-centered things that destroy their homes. In Christ Jesus you have what it takes!

Sin destroys relationships. Be a braveheart about your sin. Own it. Move quickly to repair the damage. Be swift to ask forgiveness. Do everything within your power to make things right.

Bravehearts make independent choices! Bravehearts are not concerned with the majority. They do not seek the approval of the culture. They are unconcerned with how a choice will affect their career. Bravehearts are not interested in what a choice will cost in terms of money, pain or even life. Men of courage do right regardless!

Bravehearts commit their family! “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” This is a statement of purpose. Only when we have such purpose can we hope for such results. These words of Joshua imply an acceptance of responsibility to lead his family in service to GOD. They also express his confidence in his family to follow his lead.

Dare to stand like Joshua! To dare is “to venture; to have the courage; defy or challenge” (DK Illustrated Oxford Dictionary). The first step to becoming a braveheart is to get brave about dealing with your sin. You do not have to be enslaved to sin any longer – you do not have to serve sin any longer. Sin is not your master – Christ is your Master! Experiencing a change of heart. Go from self-serving to Christ-serving. Throw yourself on His mercy. Ask for His forgiveness. Ask Him to create in you a new heart. A clean heart. A forgiven heart. A Braveheart!

Jason

Hidden in My Heart

Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work." (John 4:34; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

The first day of the week.

The first day of creation.

The first day of the new birth.

The first day of resurrection.

The first day of redemption.

The first day of the kingdom.

The first day of the church.

The first day in every way.

Jason Moore

Are You on Fire for GOD?

“O Lord, You induced me, and I was persuaded; You are stronger than I, and have prevailed. I am in derision daily; Everyone mocks me. For when I spoke, I cried out; I shouted, "Violence and plunder!" Because the word of the Lord was made to me A reproach and a derision daily. Then I said, "I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name." But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not” (Jeremiah 20:7-9; NKJV).

Zeal is a familiar concept. We are excited about many things in our lives. Our GOD is zealous (Isaiah 9:7). He longs for His children to be like Him (Titus 2:14). He longs for us to be zealous according to knowledge (Romans 10:1-3). The American Heritage College Dictionary defines zeal as an “enthusiastic devotion to a cause, an ideal, or a goal and tireless diligence in its furtherance.” Whether it be our kids, entertainment, or athletics, believe me, we know what it means to go all out.

Being on fire for GOD is all about focus. To focus is to consider attentively, to turn one’s eyes away from other things and to fix them on something or someone. GOD will light the fire in our hearts if we will but focus…

On Jesus. We must be about the business of “fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2; NASBU). Focusing on Jesus will fire you up for GOD, the things of GOD, the kingdom of GOD.

On the Word of GOD. The word of GOD “effectively works in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13; NKJV). Focusing on the word of GOD with a good and honest heart will light the fire. The word of GOD is powerful (Hebrews 4:12). Allow GOD’s word to light your fire – focus on it!

On Zealous Brothers and Sisters. The zeal of a small group of Corinthians “stirred up the majority” of brethren in Macedonia (2 Corinthians 9:2). If your zeal for the Lord is waning, spend time with some zealous brothers and sisters in Christ. Stand next to their fire. Allow them to fire you up!

On Repentance. It is impossible to be on fire for GOD when sin separates you from Him. Repentance produces zeal (2 Corinthians 7:11). Perhaps the only thing that stands between you and being on fire for Him is your pride. Humble yourself before Him, repent, and allow Him to light your fire – “Therefore be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19; NKJV).

Zeal for GOD and the things of GOD ate Jesus up (Psalm 69:9; John 2:17). Let us follow His lead. Focus on Him, His word, His zealous brothers and sisters. Repent of those things that separate you from Him. Let us be on fire for GOD!

Jason

A Rest for the People of God

“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.” (Hebrews 4:9; NKJV)

The book of Hebrews contains a number of warning signs. One is found in Hebrews 3:12. The Israelites of old failed to enter the promised land of Canaan because of their “unbelief” (Hebrews 3:19). Hebrew Christians are warned about the possibility of being “hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13). “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12; NKJV). It is possible to believe in God and to obey. It is also possible to hear His voice and to harden one’s heart in rebellion (Hebrews 3:7-8). According to the Hebrew writer, the choice is ours.

Life “under the sun” consists of lies, deception, temptation, sin, suffering, and death. We all suffer. Good people suffer. Bad people suffer. Everyone suffers. Suffering did not exist in Eden. It is a consequence of the fall. We live in a sin-cursed world. It was never God’s will for His people to suffer deception. It was never God’s will for His people to sorrow, to endure pain, to die. Sorrow, pain and suffering, swear or tears, and physical death remind us that things are amiss in this world (see Genesis 3:16-19).

Because of our suffering we are tired. Tired of the deception. Tired of the lies. Tired of our own sin and the sin of others. Tired of suffering. Life in a sin-cursed world is wearisome. We are tired.

The Hebrew writer speaks of rest in Hebrews chapters three and four. Rest communicates a ceasing from activity. By Hebraism, the word the Spirit uses in Hebrews has to do with an “abode” (Strong’s). In Hebrews 4:9 another word for “rest” is used by the Sprit. This word is sabbatismos. The Sabbath of the Old Covenant was a day of rest the people of God enjoyed once a week. The sabbatismos of Hebrews 4:9 “is the perpetual Sabbath ‘rest’ to be enjoyed uninterruptedly by believers in their fellowship with the Father and the Son, in contrast to the weekly Sabbath under the Law” (Vine’s). God knows our frame. He knows we are tired. He has provided something better for us.

Beloved, hang in there! Hold on to your faith! Like Joshua and Caleb, be strong and courageous in the Lord! “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience” (Hebrews 4:11; NKJV).

Jason

Count Your Blessings

“Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered” (Psalm 40:5; NKJV).

GOD has been so good to us. His “wonderful works” are “many.” We are constantly on His mind. We cannot begin to number our blessings. But we should give it a try.

Our Shepherds.

Our Deacons.

Our Old Preacher.

Our Aged Brothers and Sisters.

Our Young People.

Our Women.

Our Elder Brother.

Over the next week, let us devote a part of each day to counting our blessings. Set aside some time just for you and your Father in Heaven. Count some blessings and give Him the glory. He’ll be glad you did. And so will you.

May GOD bless us to see the importance of counting our blessings, recognizing Him as the giver of all good things, rejoicing that He loves us with the tender love of a compassionate Father. Let us rejoice and be glad that our Father is so good to us. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving!

Jason