A Conversation Starter with God

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:
Hebrews 10 (click the link)


REFLECTIONS:
As a freshman in college someone challenged me to read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) once a day for 30 days, telling me that it would change my life. I wasn’t disciplined enough to make it 30 days straight, but I read it enough that it had the effect I was told – it really did alter my life. 

If I was to take a similar challenge today, I might just read Hebrews 10 once a day for 30 days. The truths in this chapter are so foundational and crucial to our life with Christ, yet they are easy to rush past. It might do us some good to reflect deeply and unhurriedly on Hebrews 10. 

So, rather than wax eloquent on this chapter (OK, I’m not sure I’ve ever been guilty of that but you know what I mean), I would like to pose a series of questions to ponder. Take your time. You may even find it beneficial to journal or pray through these. Let this be a conversation starter between you and your Heavenly Father. 

And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. (Hebrews 10:10-12, NIV) 

The writer goes to great lengths to convince us of the completeness of the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins.  

Do you find it hard to feel forgiven by God? Why or why not?

How would this day be different if you were unswervingly convinced of the absolute and total forgiveness of God for you—that verse 17 applies to you: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more"?

Is there a certain sin or shameful experience that lingers in your mind/heart? Ask God for grace to forgive yourself and others as Christ has forgiven you.

"Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool…" (Hebrews 10:13, NIV)

This verse assumes what is made clear later in Hebrews and in other New Testament books: the Kingdom of God was inaugurated by Christ (through his life, death, resurrection, and ascension) and it is still advancing and growing amidst great opposition. One day Christ will reign unopposed, but in this present world, we are the instruments that advance the rule of Christ by His Spirit (we are salt and light, etc.) in enemy territory. 

At what time in your life have you been most “on the front lines” of advancing the will of God? What are the areas or issues that you are most energized to be a part of bringing about the will of God on earth as it is in heaven? What is God currently calling you to do? 

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. (Hebrews 10:22, NIV)

How do you personally “draw near to God”? What does that look like for you? Can you do that right now? 

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23, NIV)

How are you doing with this? Is your hope in Christ “unswerving”? If not, why? What makes your hope falter?

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, NIV)

Do you think much about this command, about our responsibility for one another? Would you ask God right now to show you who you can “spur on toward love and good deeds” today? Really, ask your Father even now and see if a name or face comes to mind, then ask the Lord how you could help move that person toward love.

What tempts you to “give up meeting together”? How can you overcome that?

Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. (Hebrews 10:32-36, NIV)

The Christians in the first century were not unlike us—they had times of fervor and faithfulness for the Lord (verses 32-34 are pretty impressive), and also experienced times of fear and waning faith (they were considering abandoning their Christian faith and returning to Judaism). The writer is exhorting them to persevere.

Are you currently in a season of strong faith or waning confidence? Do you have any recent memories of times when you stood strong for your faith? Or times where you shrunk back? Either way, what does it look like for you to persevere today? 

I know that this is a little different format than we are used to for our devotionals, but I pray that you have started a conversation that will carry on throughout the day.

WHO AM I?

My name is Greg Bland. I grew up in Grand Prairie, TX and developed several life-long friendships through the First Baptist Church that I treasure to this day. I thank God for the pastors and lay people that so profoundly shaped my life there. Over the years I realize more and more what a treasure that church was.

One of my old friends from my youth group in Grand Prairie called me this week to invite me on an all-expense paid caribou hunting trip to the Arctic Circle in northern Alaska. I’m not an avid hunter but I’m always up for an adventure! He said something about grizzlies and a plane dropping us off along with our gear and not returning for 7 days… and I was convinced! I’m hoping to take this trip in late August (and have Leigh Anne preach for me while I’m gone… wouldn’t she do great!).