Hebrews 12: Are You Running The Race With Patience?
Verse of the Day: (V1) “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”
1. Patience (V1-11)
V2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Let us run our Christian race on this earth with patience and endurance looking to Jesus as the Author and Finisher of our faith. We may fail and falter during our race but we must endure and finish it because Jesus is our best and perfect example who endured the cross and died for our sins, and is now at the right hand of God’s throne interceding for our sins. Indeed, God shall chasten and discipline us during our race when we stray and sin against Him, because He loves us and desires that we complete the race by His grace.
V6 “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”
2. Peace (V12-17)
V14 “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”
God desires us to keep following peace with all men, letting go of all our bitterness, and pursuing holiness by His grace, so that we shall one day see Him in glorious heaven.
V15 “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;”
3. Perfect (V18-29)
V23 “To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,”
When Jesus came and died for the sins of the whole world, He became the Mediator between God and man, and there is now no need for the priests or the sacrifices that Abel first offered the animal sacrifice for his sins, which was also a prophecy that Jesus, the Son of God, shall come and be the ultimate sacrifice of the sins of the world. Indeed, whosoever believes in Jesus is now made perfect because of His death and resurrection.
V24 “And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to run my Christian race with patience and endurance.
Hebrews 11: Do You Have Faith In God?
Verse of the Day: (V6) “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
1. What Is Faith? (V1-3)
V1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Faith in God is not something vague, but it is a substance, which we truly hope in God. Though we cannot see God, yet we can see His awesome creation of nature just by His words – the deep blue sky and seas, the snow-capped mountains and beautiful valleys and flowers, as well as experience His abundant love, amazing grace and everlasting mercy.
V3 “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”
2. Why Have Faith (V4-6)
V4 “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.”
Faith is the key to open God’s kingdom, and without it, we can never please Him. Let us have faith in God, just like many of the saints of the Old Testament, who diligently sought God, and though they suffered on earth, yet God eventually rewarded them with His home in glory. In fact, Enoch did not even taste death, but went straight to heaven!
V5 “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”
3. Who Have Faith? (V7-40)
V37 “They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;”
Since the day of Adam and until today, all who come to God must have faith in Him. During the Old Testament, they had faith in God when they looked forward to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus, the Son of God, who shall die for the sins of the world. Today, we have faith in God when we believe that Jesus already came and died for us, and is now at the right hand of the throne of God interceding for us that we should all be perfect in Him.
V40 “God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to have faith in You, and be perfect as You are perfect.
Hebrews 10: Will You Exhort Others?
Verse of the Day: (V25) “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
1. Enter (V1-22)
V19 “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,”
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, we, Christians, today, can enter into God’s presence through Jesus’ blood. During the Old Testament time, only the high priest could enter God’s presence or the holiest of the temple, but when Jesus died, He shed His precious blood for the sins of the whole world, for you and me, and whoever believes and receives Him with a true heart by faith, shall have everlasting life with Him in glorious heaven.
V22 “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”
2. Exhort (V23-25)
V23 “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Since we are saved by faith through the grace of God, let us truly love and exhort one another in preaching the gospel, and helping the poor and weak, as we look forward to the glorious return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who never fails us, not even once.
V24 “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:”
3. Endure (V26-39)
V29 “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under the foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, and unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”
Today, as in the days of the apostles’ time, the Christians suffered much afflictions and persecution in the midst of evil and wickedness in this present world. However, God has promised that those who believe and receive Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour and Lord, and who truly endure afflictions and persecution shall one day be blessed and rewarded in glorious heaven. At the same time, God also warns that those who reject Jesus Christ and God’s grace shall one day be condemned and cast into fiery hell forever.
V32 “But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to exhort others as we prepare for Your return.
Hebrews 9: Are You Without Sins?
Verse of the Day: (V28) “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”
1. Service (V1-10)
V6 “Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.”
True worship of God leads to true service to God. Many Christians are serving the Lord but it may not be true service as they serve out of obligation or convenience. True worship leads to true service as we realise that everything we have belongs to God. This was why during the Old Testament time, the high priest had to enter the second tabernacle yearly offering sacrifices to confess not only his sins, but the sins of the people.
V7 “But into the second went the high priest alone once every high year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:”
2. Shedding (V11-22)
V11 “But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;”
When Jesus died and shed His blood, the veil of the temple was divided signifying that He became the ultimate High Priest and Sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. Indeed, no yearly sacrifices was necessary after Jesus’ death, as He had paid it with His blood. Today, we, the Christians, are God’s temples because the Holy Spirit indwells in us, and as we confess and repent our sins, Jesus shall forgive our sins and receive us to Himself.
V22 “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”
3. Sins (V23-28)
V26 “For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”
The second time that Jesus come, He shall not be born in a manger, but He shall come as the King of kings and the Lord of lords, to judge the world. Those who believe in Jesus shall be with Him in heaven, while those who reject Him shall be cast into hell because of their sins. Everyone will die as God has appointed us to meet Him. Where will you go when you die? Will you believe in Jesus, and be with Him in heaven - the choice is yours!
V27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am without sins, because You died for my sins.
Hebrews 8: Are You God’s People?
Verse of the Day: (V10) “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:”
1. Priest (V1-6)
V1 “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;”
When Jesus came and died on the cross, and shed His blood for the sins of the whole world, the new covenant of grace replaced the old covenant of law. Not that the old covenant was ineffective as the people during the old covenant could still be saved by faith in God. However, the new covenant is better, as Jesus became the ultimate gift and sacrifice for the sins of the whole world as compared to the many gifts and sacrifices that the high priests had to offer to God for the atonement of their own sins as well as the sins of the people. After Jesus’ resurrection, from the ultimate sacrifice, He became the High Priest who is now seated at the right hand of God, the Majesty, interceding for all our sins.
V3 “For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.”
2. Place (V7-9)
V7 “For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.”
The people of Israel time and again failed to keep the first covenant because of unbelief. If they had kept the first covenant, there should be no place for the second, but they could not, and God gave them a better covenant by sending Jesus Christ, the ultimate sacrifice.
V8 “For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:”
3. People (V10-13)
V11 “And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.”
Today, when we believe and receive Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour and Lord, He shall forgive and forget our sins, and at the same time, the Holy Spirit shall indwell our minds and hearts, and guide us in God’s Word and prayer, as we become God’s people.
V12 “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am Your people because I believe in You by faith.
Hebrews 7: Do You Know The High Priest?
Verse of the Day: (V26) “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;”
1. Peace (V1-10)
V1 “For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;”
King Melchisedec, also known as the King of peace and righteousness, was the type of Christ, who reigned during the time of Abraham. Abraham and all who lived during his reign had to give him a tenth of what they had for being their king who blessed them. However, Jesus Christ is even a better king than King Melchisedec, because He is the perfect King of kings who shall one day reign on the new earth with perfect peace forever.
V2 “To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of Peace;”
2. Perfect (V11-21)
V16 “Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.”
The people of Israel could never keep God’s perfect law, because the law only pointed to their imperfection. This was why God sent His Son to die on the cross and shed His blood for the sins of the world. Whoever therefore repents his sins, and receives Jesus as his personal Saviour shall never perish in hell, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven.
V19 “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.”
3. Priest (V22-28)
V25 “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice as He sacrificed Himself to atone for the sins of the whole world, and now freely offers salvation to everyone who believes in Him. Indeed, after Jesus’ death and resurrection, He is now seated at the right hand of God as the holy and harmless High Priest, daily interceding for us, and delivering us from all our troubles, because He was once a man like us, and He knew exactly all our weaknesses and failures.
V28 “For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I know You, my High Priest, my Saviour and my Lord.
Hebrews 6: Will You Strive For Perfection?
Verse of the Day: (V1) “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,”
1. Perfection (V1-8)
V4 “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,”
Today, just like the days of the apostles, there are Christians, including pastors and missionaries, who seemingly are doing great works for God but are actually serving themselves. Instead of striving for perfection in holiness, they are striving for their own success. However, at Judgment day, the holy God shall judge all Christians, and there shall be Christians who shall be ashamed because their works, like thorns and briers, shall be burnt, while there shall be Christians who shall be rewarded as God bless their works.
V8 “But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.”
2. Patience (V9-16)
V10 “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”
Let us serve the Lord with faith and patience knowing that He sees our hearts and know all our works and labour of love as we keep winning souls, teaching His Word, helping the poor and those in needs, and praying and supporting local and foreign missionaries.
V12 “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
3. Promise (V17-20)
V17 “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:”
Indeed, the two immutable things of God are that He is truly God, and He never lies. Today, God promises you a fiery hell to shun, and a glorious heaven to gain, when you repent your sins, and believe and receive Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour and Lord.
V18 “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to strive for perfection in holiness as You are holy.
Hebrews 5: Are You Obedient?
Verse of the Day: (V8) “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;”
1. Ordained (V1-5)
V1 “For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:”
God called and ordained His high priests, namely, the tribe of Levi, to serve Him in His temple by offering gifts and sacrifices to Him to atone their own sins as well as the sins of the people. However, Jesus Christ was the perfect High Priest, when He offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice, not for His own sins, but for the sins of the whole world.
V5 “So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.”
2. Obedience (V6-10)
V7 “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;”
Why does God allow suffering? God allows suffering so that we learn obedience and trust in Him. For the unbelievers, it is a time when they can choose to repent of their sins, and believe and receive Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. For the believers, it is a time when we learn obedience and trust in God as we know that only God can deliver us from our suffering. Even Jesus, the Son of God, cried out in pain to God, His Father, as He learned obedience when He suffered and died on the cross for the sins of the world.
V9 “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”
3. Oracles (V11-14)
V12 “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.”
It is sad that today, just like the days of the apostles, there are many Christians who are immature, and still need to be taught of God’s oracles or words, when they should be rooted and grounded in them, and teaching and guiding others to obey God and His Word.
V14 “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be obedient to You like Your Son Jesus Christ.
