JC Blog

Do you please God? Hebrews tells us that without faith it is impossible to please him ( Hebrews 11:6 ), which means it absolutely takes faith to please him. Learn what it means to walk by faith!

Do you rely on the Lord? He has promises us to be our stronghold in times of trouble. He promises to rescue and deliver us. Trusting in Him is a wonderful thing and something we must learn early on in our walk with Him in order to be successful in life.

Life and death are in the power of the tongue. Many times in life we must be careful with who we share things with because their reaction can negate our faith. We are capable of speaking forth both faith and doubt so we must be mindful of what we are doing and saying and we must protect our hearts from any unbelief that can rob us of the promises of God.

Queen Ester was placed in a specific spot in history to save her people. She took the necessary steps of faith to carry out God's plan even when it could mean her life. She willingly participated with God to provide the necessary deliverance and God both rewarded and protected her. This is an amazing story!

Do you struggle with anxiety?
The Bible has the remedy. Here are 3 quick tips to use when battling worry...
1. Cast Your Cares (I Peter 5:7)
2. Rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 4:4-6)
3. Let the Peace of God Rule (Colossians 3:15)

Why is it is that we have a hard time reading the instruction manual for things? The other day, I was trying to complete a task at work eventually I succumbed to frustration after my trial and error approach to solving the problem failed. I had struggled for a long time never finding the solution. Doing a trial and error approach, I zoomed in on every manner of possible fixes running circles around myself. Finally giving into frustration and failure, I decided to read the instruction manual. Three minutes later I had the solution.

Why is it that our last resort is to read the instructions? If I had started with the instructions I would have saved myself lots of work pouring over the problem. I came to the end of myself, the end of my knowledge and gave up any hope of solving the problem. This made me finally stop trying and start relying on the author of this process. Once that happened, I had success!

Life is like this. We spin and toil through life, wondering why we haven't made progress. Why we haven't solved the problems in our families, finances, marriages and lives, never admitting to ourselves that the real solution is in the Word of God. Peter said, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” ( II Peter 1:3-4 ).

First, everything we need for life and godliness comes through the knowledge of God. How do we have knowledge of God? It comes through knowing and understanding His Word. Secondly, we have very great and precious promises in the Word; knowing what these are shows us how to participate in the divine nature, escaping the pitfalls and snares of this world. We do not have to struggle with the problems in our lives; the Word of God shows us how to overcome them.

David had the same observation and recorded this in the Psalm,

“Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are ever with me.
I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.
I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.
I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:97-105).

David knew that the Law of the Lord, or His Word gave him insight, wisdom and protection. It became nourishment to his soul, illumination for his choices and a plumb line for his life’s decisions. David was called a man after God’s own heart. His success came from knowing and understanding God through His Word.

Today, I hope that you will take the first step into planting the seeds of life. Just meditate on your favorite verse asking the Lord to speak truth and understanding into your heart and I guarantee that this will illuminate your path today. He is faithful to His Word and watches it closely to see it come to pass ( Isaiah 55:11, Jeremiah 1:12 ).

“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God” ( Hebrews 10:26-27 )

In today’s world of political correctness, it is not popular to say that Jesus is the only way, but that doesn’t change this truth which rings loud and clear; Jesus is the only way to get to heaven. Jesus is the only way for salvation. Jesus is the only way to be right with God.

This is good news for us because it simplifies something that the world tries to complicate. What we hear from many sources is that we must be good, we must follow the rules, we must attend a certain church and we must adhere to certain religious practices; all the- while keeping us busy with other things so we miss the Savior. God didn’t want it to be complicated; He wanted it to be accomplished, so He sent Jesus to do what we could not.

Jesus was our sacrifice for sin. Not only is this so but the Scriptures also say “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” ( I John 2:2 ). Jesus died for all; even those who do not accept this wonderful message of grace have been forgiven and absolved from sin. He died to bring forgiveness to everyone, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit” ( I Peter 3:18 ). This is an amazing truth, all sins; past, present and future have been paid for and forgiven by Jesus!

Since this is an absolute truth we also know that there can be no other sacrifice for sin because the debt that sin left is gone and paid for. Jesus came, died and rose again. This chapter has been written and closed. There has been one sacrifice to atone for sin which is why “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” ( Acts 4:12 ). If we reject that name and the person behind it who has provided the means for salvation, then there is no other option; only a fearful expectation of judgment.

Jesus came not to judge the world, but to save it ( John 12:47 ). However, there is one who will judge. The judgment has nothing to do with sin. But rather, the judgment has to do with whether or not you have accepted the gospel message and believed in Jesus Christ as Savior. The answer to this question is the determining factor for Salvation. The Scriptures are very clear on this point, God loves us and did everything to reconcile us to Himself, but He has given us the choice whether or not we accept Jesus who paid the price of our forgiveness. If we reject Him, then there can be no other payment because there was, and is, only one sacrifice (the death of Jesus) which can atone for sin.

This is what this passage in Hebrews is saying; if we deliberately and willingly refuse Jesus, then this sin is the only thing that will not be forgiven and the only thing that will send us to hell. All other sins have been paid for, and there is no other sacrifice which can be made. There is then, only the fearful prospect and expectation of divine judgment against those who set themselves up in opposition to God.

But it doesn’t have to be like this, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son" ( John 3:16-18 ). What you do with Jesus is the determining factor for eternity. However, we already have the answer to the question. The answer is to believe in the name of the One and Only Son and by doing so you will find abundant life starting right now! Praise God for Jesus!

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” ( Hebrews 10:24-25 )

Jesus brings together men, women and children from all walks of life. All over the world there is a fellowship of believers that transcends time and distance having the commonality of Christ. The Church, His body of believers, is a truly marvelous thing and as such we have the responsibility to care for and stimulate one another toward love and good deeds by reminding ourselves of the amazing things Christ has done for us.

We do this by assembling with the saints. Not merely going to a church building, not just showing up once a week to check it off our list. But rather meeting with other like-minded believers, regularly, is the key to spiritual growth. When we come to share our lives and talk about the Lord, excitement builds and encouragement spills over onto one another. The effects are contagious.

The early Church understood this; the book of Acts is filled with many accounts where believers would gather daily giving themselves to prayer, breaking of bread and the disciples’ teaching. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” ( Acts 2:42-47 ).

As you can see, a lot of things happened as a result. The assembly of believers had unity among each other, they saw many wonders and miracles, they continually sold their possessions so they would have the means to give when a need arose and their hearts were merry. They praised God continually because they were constantly reminded of what He had done for them. As a result the world saw what was happening and wanted it. People came running to the Lord to accept His wonderful gift of salvation as a result of the fellowship of believers and the things that happened when they would meet.

This is what should happen when the saints get together. This is why it is important for us to come, stir each other up and encourage one another continually; growing through the Word and prayer. We do not have to go through life alone; we have millions of brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. Our family is based in the finished work of Christ so it makes sense that we should continually remind ourselves of these truths. The time of Christ’s return is approaching, so it is time for the Church to be the Church and to be prepared, encouraged and built up in love and unity. Returning to the example set by the early church. Not forgetting to assemble but doing so readily to encourage each other and grow in the knowledge of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” ( Hebrews 10:19-23 )

These verses are a culmination of the entire book of Hebrews. Everything that has been said has been leading up to this point, we can draw near and approach God on the basis of faith in what Jesus did to make us acceptable, knowing that nothing stands in our way. This is a profound truth!

Reflecting on the entirety of Hebrews we see that Jesus is God’s Son, an exact representation of the Father and far superior to angels (Hebrews 1). Secondly, we see that He was sent to destroy the power of sin and death and release us from slavery to it (Hebrews 2). Next, we see how vastly superior Jesus is to Moses (Hebrews 3) and by believing in Him we enter into the very Sabbath Rest that God promised His people (Hebrews 4). Next we see how Jesus was chosen by God to be our High Priest fashioned after that order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5). After a short warning about falling away, the writer goes on to explain this priesthood, given on oath and How Jesus meets all of its requirements (Hebrews 6, 7). Next, the New Covenant is introduced and explained with Jesus at its epicenter (Hebrews 8). Chapter 9 compares and contrasts earthly tabernacle worship with Jesus’ heavenly duties and shows how His perfect and Holy blood has ratified and guaranteed the New Covenant (Hebrews 9). Chapter 10 brings home the point that this sacrifice was only made once to forever seal the deal. It shows how Jesus’ work on the cross was perfect and complete (Hebrews 10).

In light of all of these things, the main point now becomes the fact that we can have boldness and confidence to draw on what Jesus did and approach God fully assured that we are acceptable to Him. By faith we can come to him in absolute conviction that we are not guilty of sin and we are not polluted by its effects. Because of Jesus we are righteous and holy.

The only requirement is that we come through the veil of His body, washed solely by His blood. Jesus on the night that he was betrayed spoke of this very thing, “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom” ( Matthew 26:26-29 ).  

This was not the first time Jesus made mention that both His body and His blood was necessary to be brought into fellowship with God. He deliberately said it to the multitudes that were following Him looking for miracles. They were offended at the words He spoke so He took a hard stance declaring, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him” ( John 6:54-56 ). Many left Him that day and followed Him no longer. However, His point was that there is only one way to be accepted by God and that is through the body of Christ which was broken for us and the blood of Christ that was shed as atonement for us. This hasn’t changed since Jesus spoke these words, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” ( John 14:6 ).

At the cross the veil in the temple that separated mankind from the Holy of Holies where God resides was torn in two from top to bottom in a divine act of God ( Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45 ) Jesus’ body has become the veil where we can pass through in faith into the very presence of God the Father. This is an amazing truth! Jesus opened up a new and fresh way of approaching God. We now enter, not by the blood of bulls and goats but by His body and blood which cleanses and absolves us from all guilt associated with sin.

Because this is so we are called to draw near to God in confidence and boldness. Jesus’ changed the rules. “So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word” ( Hebrews 10:23 Amp ).

“The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin” ( Hebrews 10:15-18 )

The Holy Spirit does so many things in our lives but one of His most important roles is to testify and confirm the New Covenant to us. It is His job to reassure and remind us of what was promised. The Covenant we enjoy is vastly superior to the old one and was extremely costly for God to bring it to pass. Therefore He has made it the job of the Holy Spirit to constantly remind believers of the amazing things that are included.

The Covenant enjoyed through Jesus was prophesied through the prophet Jeremiah hundreds of years before Christ ( Jeremiah 31:31-34 ). It includes many things and in these verses we are reminded of that to which the Holy Spirit is set to testify. First, God writes His laws in our minds and upon our hearts. God’s laws are now a part of us, not something external to accuse us, but they are written by the Spirit of God on the inside of us so fulfillment comes naturally by walking after the Spirit ( Romans 8:4, Galatians 5:16 ). Secondly, God will not only forgive our sins but He will not remember them. God completely and permanently dealt with sin once for all through Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross ( Hebrews 9:28, 10:10, 10:14, 10:18, I Peter 3:18, I John 2:2 ). Because of it, by faith, we have been made holy and acceptable to God which is why God sends the Holy Spirit to confirm this to us, He doesn't want us to miss this amazing truth!

To use an old metaphor; the Holy Spirit is really the icing on the entire redemption cake! Not only are we saved, redeemed and restored through Jesus’ precious blood, but the Holy Spirit constantly speaks these things to us so that we will have confidence in our relationship with God ( Hebrews 10:22 ). Jesus foretold that this would be His function, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” ( John 14:26 ). The Amplified Bible calls Him the Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener and Standby. All are marvelous words to describe how He relates to us.

God thought that is was imperative that we be constantly reminded of our Covenant because the reason Jesus died was to bring it to pass. This is good news for us because it means we can find peace and rest through Jesus by confirmation of the Holy Spirit speaking these things to us, “This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God” ( I John 3:19-21 ).