Daily Encouragement

July 5, 2009 - Accepted As Beloved

Meditation on Philemon

This great letter by Paul has a lot to teach us about relationship. Today as we talk about accepting one another in the local church which is composed of people of diverse cultures and background, we must learn from these heart-felt words to Philemon, a slave owner.

Apparently, Onesimus was a run-away slave who met Paul and became a Christian, Paul then sent him back to his owner, Philemon who was also converted by Paul. In those days under the rule of the Roman Empire, the owner of the slave had the right to kill a slave who ran away. Now Paul asked Philemon not only took Onesimus back, but also accepted him as a beloved brother in the Lord. What an example of forgiveness and reconciliation Philemon had to demonstrate as a Christian in his house which was also a church.

This letter is full of emotion and statements about the heart. Paul emphasized the love between Christians in the Lord. How we need to accept one another in the household of God regardless of the great differences existed among one another. For Christ through the cross has torn down the barrier and hatred between races and from the wrongful treatment between one another.

We can accept one another as beloved brothers and sisters in Christ.

July 6, 2009 - Jesus Is God

Meditation on Hebrews 1

The writer of Hebrews through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit emphatically reveals to us that Jesus is God. See verse three referring to the Son, "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." (ESV)

When the Son was incarnated into the world, God the father commanded all angels to worship him. (v. 6) His throne and righteous authority is forever. (v. 8-9) He was the creator of the earth and heavens. (v. 10) He is always the same and has no ending and he will conquer all enemies. (v. 12-13)

Therefore consciously knowing who He is and what He has done for us, we should praise Jesus with our hearts and lips today. And we bow to worship Him.

July 7, 2009 - Our General Of Salvation

Meditation on Hebrews 2

Ever since Adam sinned, man lost the close relationship with God and the glory and honor he should have to rule over all things on earth. But we thank God that He sent Jesus to come to this world as a man so He can be a representative for all of us. He restored our glory and honor by tasting death for all of us. Verse ten says this, "In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering." (NIV) The word, "author" has been translated as "general" in the Chinese version. "General" implies leading. So Jesus leads all believers into salvation.

Our general is also our high priest. He has made atonement for our sins. He, being made the same as we are, is able to help those who are being tempted. (v. 10) Our general also has destroyed the power of Satan through his death. (v. 14)

Therefore let us put our trust in Him!

July 8, 2009 - Fix Your Thoughts on Jesus

Meditation on Hebrews 3

The New International Version captures the idea of the main Greek verb in verse one very well. That is "fix your thoughts" on Jesus. The following verses then bring out the emphases that Jesus was faithful to his mission like Moses but He was superior than Moses because He is the son over God's house. So it is good for us to fix our thoughts on the faithfulness of Jesus. Our attention to His faithfulness will cause us to trust in His faithfulness by holding on to our hope and confidence in Him courageously. (v.6, 14)

If we don't fix our thoughtesus on Jesus, we would not be able to enter the rest God has prepared for us because of our unbelief. (v. 19)

Let us look at the example of the Israelite in the wilderness. They heard God's voice and experienced God's mighty work, yet they were harden in their heart and did not believe. Thus, while it is today, let us encourage one another to pay attention to Jesus' word and obey His voice. Since He is faithful, He can deliver us from the deceitfulness of sin.

July 9, 2009 - The Rest You Need

Meditation on Hebrews 4

Everyone needs to have rest. But the rest this passage talks about is the rest of one's spirit and soul. It is a rest from God. God has said that is "My rest". (v. 3) We are urged to enter this rest by believing in God's word.

The Scriptures here uses the physical example of the Israelite in the wilderness. Many could not enter the Promised Land because of their unbelief. They had seen the mighty works of God, they had experienced the marvelous provision for their daily needs and they had heard the voice of God, yet they did not mix what they heard with faith. (v. 2)

As a result they were judged by God.

God, however has still given us a chance today to enter into this rest, His salvation. Verse seven says, "He again fixes a certain day, ‘Today,’ saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, 'Today if you hear His voice, do not harden you hearts." (NASB) So thank God that there is "today". Let us enter into the rest God has promised for us. Jesus said, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) You will then enjoy the peace and assurance of God's Spirit in your spirit and soul from now on to eternity. In all your life, Jesus, the high priest will help you with mercy and gracious understanding.

If you do not enter into God's rest, you will be judged by the living and powerful word of God. (v. 12)

July 10, 2009 - Your Great High Priest

Meditation on Hebrews 5

Yesterday in reference to the last section of Hebrews 4, we mentioned that Jesus Christ was the high priest who helped Christians with mercy and grace. Hebrews 5 continued to explain the work of the high priest. He was to bring men to God by offering sacrifices and gifts for sins. He was sympathetic to man for he understood the weakness of man because of his humanity.

Also this high priest was called and appointed by God Himself. The Scriptures said, "Thou art a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." (v. 6, & Psalm 110:4 NASB) He was therefore greater than Aaron, the high priest during Moses' time because Melchizedek was the high priest and king during the time of Abraham who offered a tithe to him. (Genesis 14:18-20)

Jesus, our high priest cried for us and suffered for us. "Although he was a Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. And having been made perfect, he became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation." (v. 8-9)

You want to take time to digest the teaching of the high priest in word of God so you may grow to be a mature Christian who can discern both truth and error. And you want to thank God for your perfect and great high priest today.

July 11, 2009 - Warning And Encouragement

Meditation on Hebrews 6

Bible students have various interpretations for verses one to eight. For me, this passage is clearly talking about those who have been believers but later have fallen away. God's word says, "It is impossible to renew them again to repentance, 'since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.'" (v. 6 NASB) In the following, there is a serious warning through an analogy that these persons are like ground that yield thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed. The word "close" indicates that it is not cursed yet. But the result is that it will be burned. (v. 8) It means that these apostates will be judged seriously like what the Apostle Paul said about Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom he had handed over to Satan. (1 Timothy 1:20) Perhaps that is why 1 John 5:16 says that there is a sin leading to death.

However the word of God encourages us that we can lay hold of the hope we have in Christ who is our high priest. He understands all our weaknesses, difficulties and temptation. When we are wavering in the sea of life, we can anchor our soul in Him. He will always deliver us. (v. 20) Praise God, we can grow toward maturity in Christ through the tough trials and would not just stay in the basic like when we first believed. (v. 1-2)