THE BUILDER OF LIVES
Today’s Reading: Hebrews 3-4
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
At the traditional site of the baptism of Jesus at the Jordan River, a priest conducts a service. The Hebrew people, to whom the book of Hebrews was addressed, would have been very familiar with the ceremonies conducted in the Jerusalem Temple by the High Priest. The vestments of the Jewish priests were carried into the Christian church all over the world by priests who were believers in Jesus. The liturgy of Temple worship has influenced the rituals of all the ancient churches as they see the sacrifice of Christ on the cross portrayed in their traditional forms of worship. The service pictured above is conducted by a Coptic Priest from Egypt.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Hebrews 4:14
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
The first verse of today’s reading urges us to “Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus.” We are encouraged to examine carefully the role of Christ Jesus in His absolutely essential work of presenting the sacrifice of His own life to Almighty God. There is no salvation apart from Christ. Therefore, believers in Jesus are exhorted not to depart from their faith in Christ.
Hebrews chapter four repeats the word “rest” seven times. We may want to look up the word “rest” in the dictionary and ask ourselves, “Are we resting in Jesus?” The ultimate importance of the bedrock of Jesus on which we “rest,” and upon Whom we build our lives, is obvious. It is the Word of God (4:12) which provides the blueprint for the structure of our lives. The importance of considering God’s plans daily cannot be overstated. This blog should help us focus our attention on how we are building and then on the “rest” that is ours.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Christ Jesus, You are the Builder of my house, the place where I dwell. I’ve read, Lord, that “every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God” (Hebrews 3:4). I pray that I will rest 24/7 in the knowledge that You are my Foundation, my Builder. I need You! May I not be a “do-it-yourself” builder. I rest in 100% confidence in Your commitment to build my life as something of beauty for Your glory. I pray this in the Name of the Builder of lives, Jesus Christ, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
The first few sentences of St. Mark’s Gospel chapter 6 tell about Jesus’ first visit to His hometown of Nazareth following the start of His public ministry. The people have heard about the miracles He has already performed. They ask, “Is not this the carpenter?” They asked in order to belittle Him; I write it here to exalt Him. In the previous chapter (Mark 5), there are three examples of Jesus’ higher carpentry. Check it out if you find the time (Mark 5:1-43 & 6:1-5). I brag about His magnificent building skills.
Yours for Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! Remember He was a Carpenter, a Builder, the Builder of the lives of all of us who invite Him to construct our lives to His glory and purpose,
David
Enjoyed the lesson today, it is all about Jesus, Jesus and more Jesus.
Luisa thanks for asking about me yesterday.
I have just got over a bout of vertigo. Also last. week two friends passed away. One was our beloved Pastor Bob. We were at his memorial service on Thursday and his daughter ‘s wedding on Saturday. It was difficult but his wife found the strength to walk their daughter down the aisle.
Interesting though Bob asked that his service be all about Jesus, it was truly amazing just as he was. Much prayer is needed for the family, Bob was just 59 but he succumbed to cancer of 15 months.
Gavin my grandson is still progressing very well and my husband is still stable. I have a lot to be thankful for. I do read the blog everyday and pray for the requests.
Love to all Eleanor M.
Yes it is all about Jesus!
I’m glad that you are feeling fairly well Eleanor, and that your husband is stable and Gavin is still improving!
How sad that your pastor passed away and yet Jesus is there too, for his family and for the church!
My husband passed at the age of 58, it’s been some years now but especially at Christmas there is an empty chair, an empty spot in my heart.
But you know I’m slowly learning that sorrow and loss are a gift from our faithful and wonderful father in heaven. I am learning compassion and feeling joy in ways I could never have imagined!
To God be all the glory, HE truly is a friend and husband and father to the widow and children.
May God bless each and every blogger today, may His love and peace and protection surround each one of us!
God bless you, too, Anne.
God bless you Anne; I also have learned compassion and feeling joy in ways I could never have imagined!! for me that is the work of the Holy Spirit; thank you so much Anne for sharing you words with us……
Holding you in my prayers, dear one, and love to you, as well.
Eleanor
God bless you Eleanor; the Lord is walking with you through the storms; so thankful you post the situation; for me, it gives me the strength to go on and also to keep praying for others and I have been praying at 8 p.m. for all; I’ve tried to think of the good times I had with a person who is now with the Lord; I also remember the disagreements we had and I have to smile because I realize that God has forgiven me and the other person; let us always keeping praying for each other; as Scripture says time and time again; in all things with prayers,praise and supplication give thanks unto the Lord God Almighty for everything…amen amen amen
if someone doesn’t have anything to do; they can always pray for others; Thank you Lord that we can pray always, amen
Yes, I agree with Eleanor – very interesting read today. Praying for Pastor Bob’s family, especially his wife with the great changes that have happened in her life this Christmas season. I pray for all our bloggers in whatever situation they may be in. A snowy day here in Southern Ontario. Blessings to all.
God bless you, Doreen. Snowing all day in Picton.
Thank You, Father God, for being such a great Creator. Everything You made is amazing. And thank You for being our Sustainer and our Provider. You care for everything You made. And thank You for being full of grace and truth. Where would we be without You? Thank You for calling us friends. Thank You for understanding our weaknesses. Thank You for being the Author and Finisher of our faith. Thank You for being there, wherever we are.
. It is amazing to think that You have made work specifically for us to do, and given us gifts and talents to do that work.. Please help us to do that work You have given us; to do it well, joyfully, as an offering of praise to You. Help us not to be afraid, but filled with your Holy Spirit as we live for You. In Jesus’s name, amen
Amen,Rob.Your words have given me the nerve to post this poem for those posting above.In the grieving sites,mostly Grieving Mothers,the readers would very often ‘know’ that a particular poem was ‘for them’ and Who it was from.It’s been several years since I had that ministry but I hope this holds true for those who posted above.”I am only His pen;give God all glory.” May God bless
I had written this (in about 10 min as per usual then)for an old friend who lost his fiancee to brain cancer,herself a widow.I did not know her.
Softly,Tenderly
Softly,tenderly we fell in love,
You were the answer I sought,
Then a call from God above
Took you and the joy you brought.
Now in sorrow’s web of pain
As I sort through the days I’m glad,
For as I look back there again,
I’d not trade a thing we had.
You were the candle in the night,
And I was the sparrow lost,
But with you all was just right,
Until loosing you was the cost.
Now my nights are filled with you,
For in my dreams we embrace,
But past the dawn’s early dew,
I chase your elusive angelic face.
I know from our nocturnal meet
That we will meet on golden shores,
And there with open arms greet,
Our happy souls for evermore.
G W (Bill) Marshall / Sept 6, 2012
This one leaped out at me while I was searching my files so I am sharing it too:
If I Could
If I could but see,again your face,
Oh how much my heart would race,
And nothing could ever efface ,
The mem’ry of our last embrace.
If I could climb to Heaven’s gate
And just look in to watch a while,
Then I know I could joyfully wait,
If I could see your happy smile.
If I could hear the song you sing
And your laughter bless my ears,
Then grief would lose its sting
And a smile would dry my tears.
But faith would loose it’s esteem,
And Heaven’d loose it’s stealth,
So we must be denied this dream,
If Heaven is to keep its wealth.
G W (Bill) Marshall / Dec 08, 2012
Amen Bill. Amen.
Amen
Amen Rob. Beautiful prayer.
Amen!
Amen Rob
Prayers for all saints and their families. May His love transcend you.
Bing Crosby – Do You Hear What I Hear (1963)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuE_DXrt2Js
Lyrics
“Said the night wind to the little lamb,
Do you see what I see?
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
Do you see what I see?
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite,
With a tail as big as a kite.
Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,
Do you hear what I hear?
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,
Do you hear what I hear?
A song, a song high above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea,
With a voice as big as the sea.
Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king,
Do you know what I know?
In your palace warm, mighty king,
Do you know what I know?
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold
Let us bring him silver and gold,
Let us bring him silver and gold.
Said the king to the people everywhere,
Listen to what I say!
Pray for peace, people, everywhere,
Listen to what I say!
The Child, the Child sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light,
He will bring us goodness and light.”
Songwriters: Felix Bernard / Richard B Smith
Thank You Lord for all the blessings of this day! I can’t understand Lord what is happening with Donald Trump; Lord we pray for our leaders throughout the world; I plead the Blood of the Lamb over them and their families and their countries; Lord help us to be thankful in every area of our lives; Our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is very young, but very intelligent; he loves his wife and family; he attends church;he has been given the gift of communication; Lord only You know what is in his heart; help him to become the leader that You desire him to be;keep our leaders safe; I’ m thankful Lord that in Canada we have the freedom to vote! Help us not to abuse these gifts; speak to the Finance Minister also; that department has a big job to balance budgets; Lord I also ask that our leaders will value our children and our seniors; Thank you Lord in Jesus Name we Pray amen
Hebrews is special to me; my prayer group did an excellent study on Hebrews a few years ago.
Thank you bloggers for sharing your pain and sorrow as well as victory through it all: for the song and the prayers.
May the love, peace and Joy fill your heart. Remembering the One who has filled our hearts with His Everlasting Love, Peace and Joy.
have a blessed evening in the LORD!