CONSIDER
Today’s Reading: Hebrews 12-13
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
A statue of Peter stands at the entrance of the ancient ruins of Capernaum where he once lived with his family. You can see the depiction of the Key to the church that he holds in his right hand. The fish at his feet represents that he was a fisherman…of both fish and man. Peter considered Christ Jesus and decided to follow Him. The result was that his life and the world was changed forever!
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Hebrews 12:3, 13:8
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart…Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Back in Hebrews 3:1, we are invited to “consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus.” Now we are again asked to “consider Him!” Why does He endure such opposition from sinners? Before we answer this question, let us remember that the Apostle John teaches us that “if we say we have [present tense] no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us!” (1 John 1:8). Also note, just in case our human pride or a misunderstanding of Scripture makes us want to claim to be sinless, John included himself in using the word “we!” “We,” you and I, stand in opposition to Christ! Sin is anything less than the perfection of a holy God as revealed in Jesus! To the extent that we come short of God’s glory, purity, and holiness, Jesus is still enduring “opposition from sinners.” We are called, not just to a one-time action called “repentance” (a godly sorrow for sin, such as causes us to quit the sin for which we are asking forgiveness), but to live in an attitude of constant repentance. First John 1:7b teaches us that “the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.” The word “cleanses” indicates a constant 24/7 cleansing!!! Day by day, as we grow into the likeness of Jesus, we are less and less in “opposition” to Him and more and more living a life pleasing to Him!
Now, why “opposition?” It’s because we, the human family, are sinners. We need to acknowledge this and move on to “consider…Christ Jesus!” What will be the results of considering Him every day? (this blog should help). Instead of becoming “weary and discouraged” in our souls (the persons we really are), we will continue becoming the opposite to “weary and discouraged”… full of life and encouraged!!! To “consider” Jesus will definitely do for us as Hebrews 12:12 says, “Strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees…”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I pray that more and more I will consider You, read of You, meditate on You, dwell in the consciousness of Your Presence, praying without ceasing, and in everything giving thanks! Therefore, my hands are not hanging down in discouragement, but they are raised in praise to You, and I do not have weak knees! I am strong in Christ!!! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I received a response to my blog from my first cousin, Rev. Roy C. Kenny. Here’s what he wrote…Your blog is so well done. Your insights helpful. You are a great student of Scripture, bringing out insights not often mentioned. I’m reminded I was named after your Dad and Rev. J. Caldwell Black. – Roy
Roy served as a missionary to Haiti and Brazil during most of his years. God gave him a great harvest of precious souls as he planted several churches. Roy’s mother, my Dad’s older sister, my aunt Myrtle, was a great woman of prayer, and in my mind she exemplified the person who “prays without ceasing,” a person who constantly considered Christ Jesus, and as a result her hands were strengthened and her knees were not feeble. If Aunt Myrtle were here on earth today she would be 125 years old; as it is she is now ageless! I called Roy yesterday to say Hello and to thank him for his kind response. He gave me a powerful insight into Jesus’ words to Peter, “Follow Me and I will make you a fisher of men.” Roy said that at 82 years old he faces big challenges as he follows Jesus, but that to “follow” means that Jesus has gone before him and his wife Doris, and, therefore, Jesus has worked it all out. In effect he was saying that there is no need to worry, just follow! That’s a powerful thought that has ministered to me recently.
Yours to “consider” and “follow!”
David
P.S. Below is a photo of me at the location of the Shepherd’s Fields in Bethlehem. Click here for program #2 of those five Christmas shows I recorded in 2013. For those who may have missed yesterday’s link to program #1, you may want to click here to watch it.
Blessings to all this Sunday before Christmas. May your time of worship and gathering together be especially meaningful today.
Ger, I’m thinking of and praying for you and trust all is well now, and that the doctors have found, or will find out what the problem was. Blessings of healing and renewed health to you today, sister.
Also praying for freedom from depression this Christmas season, for the many who struggle with it, that the darkness and despair would flee in the light of Christ’s love, and His peace would fill their hearts and minds.
Amen.
Father God, thank You so much for this blog, for your church, for all the Gospel ministries that so faithfully minister Truth and Grace in this world. Let them be beacons of hope and light to people everywhere. We ask for extra blessing on all your workers, Lord, and pray along with the writer of Hebrews:
“Now may the God of peace—
who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—
may he equip you with all you need
for doing his will.
May he produce in you,
through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.” (Heb 13:20-21 NLT)
Thank You, Father. In Jesus’s name, amen
Amen!
Amen!!!
Amen
Amen Doreen!!
Please pray for my friends Pat and Wally as they lost their son to cancer last night. He was only 49. Hard at this time of year.
We can still praise Him in our sorrows.
Blessings to all at this blessed time of year.
I shall keep Pat and Wally in my prayers as I also lost a loved one in December 2000 and realize their loss must be devastating.
Agreeing with your prayer Blessed
Thank you Deanna for your prayers and also to Rob. God is so good as as far as I know I passed my tests. May the Lord be with Pat and Wally in the loss of their son. I sensed your prayers for me today and am grateful. God bless you. Amen!
Beverlee, just referred back to yesterday’s post and saw your question. They treated me for high blood pressure(over 200 on the top) gave me 2 nitro patches, blood thinner injections, ecgs, ecogram to see how my heart valve is doing(no results on that yet) and a Dr. talked to me about anxiety and ordered bed rest there. Was not sleeping well either for 2 nights before. Thanks to you and William and all saints for your prayers and concern. God bless you.
Gwen,you will know whether to share this with your friends.It was written for ‘my adopted sister’,Dorthy,who went home last July at 100 years young.May God’s loving hand give them comfort and assurance:
Over Me (4 Dorthy)
Do not be sad over me,
For I have already gone
And am now happy and free
As will you when you have moved on.
This is but my earthly tent,
A life support for my soul,
I wore it where e’er I went
But now I’m gone and made whole.
Never be afraid of death,
For it will bring your freedom
And when you take your last breath
He will take you to His kingdom.
I will be happy up here
And will be waiting for you;
For I hold you all so dear,
But as I wait,you must wait too.
Like a Caterpillar dies
As the Butterfly takes flight,
So my soul leaves earthly skies
To rejoin loved ones in His light.
So always trust in Jesus,
For He is the truest friend
And He’s the one Who frees us
When our troubles come to an end.
GW(Bill)Marshall/3 July,2019
Thanks William
Not likely anyone will see this but it may help someone.I had to leave before I could read today’s content to set up for communion.Re David’s comments I am reminded of my mentor and dear friend who,when is was in self doubt,always reminded me of:
“Philippians 1:6 New International Version (NIV)
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” His Spirit is in the believer,not parasitically but symbiotically,cleansing us from within,pulling out the roots of sin tenderly and constantly “all throughout our lives”.A garden has to be tended to if the crop is to survive and produce good fruit.Paul complained of ‘his thorn in his side throughout his life’ (“When I try to do what id right…..”)This scripture is so very underutilized by clergy.It is a baby Christian’s life preserver,to keep them afloat.(“Throughout the lifeline…..”)
I agree wholeheartedly with David’s cousin (but I wasn’t named after his relatives,lol.)Thank you,Lord,for sending David to his ministries,this one in particular and may You continue to bless this ministry and it’s ministers.Amen