Hebrews 10:1–39

June 12, 2013

Okay, so yesterday I write about what this lawsuit is all about and how it isn't just about the money but it is also about either forcing our home (and business) away from us or taking our home for themselves. After I finished writing I did what I always do and I read the next chapter. Hebrews 10. And I read verse 34, "...and you even had joy when all that you owned was taken away from you, because you knew you had something better and more lasting." Hmm. "When all you own has been taken from you..."

Well, I have to tell you—that got my attention!!

Is God trying to tell me something? Is this insight into what is to come? Why am I reading this immediately after I write about the purpose behind my sister and brother-in-law filing this lawsuit and what the end result would be if they are successful? For a brief moment "what if" fears set in. But then truth and faith returned.  Praise the Lord!

Some things I KNOW:

• When this all started we opened our hands and surrendered ALL to God and His Will. ALL! Our home, business, lives—everything. A stake was driven in the ground (literally) and it remains there today. Our joy does not come from anything we possess. We could have nothing and still be happy individually and as a couple.
• We specifically sought (and still seek) God's plan for our lives. Was His plan to move us out of our home so we were available to serve Him elsewhere? We have listened carefully. When we went to Honduras we met a couple who gave up everything to go and volunteer at the farm. They talked about how God stirred in their hearts for months, as a couple and individually, and they knew God was calling them to this ministry. We have had no inner stirrings of God calling us to a different life and asking us to leave our home and business to "go." None. In fact, the exact opposite is true. He has given us additional ministries right where we are. He has opened our eyes to those around us. He has given us many confirmations that our ministries are effective and blessed by Him. He has grown and expanded our business. We have not sat on our hands and been idle while we wait for an official outcome to the lawsuit. We have worked hard in our ministries and we continue to work hard to improve our home and business.
• God gave us Jane. Meeting Jane can only be described as a God-ordained appointment. I met Jane on the very day the verbal attacks from my sister and brother-in-law and their plan to implement their hostile take over of our joint project began. During our very first meeting, Jane prayed an incredible prayer of blessing on my life. And then, even though I went to see her every Monday morning, there was nothing—for six months. During that same time period, my husband and I walked and prayed together every day; I went every week to visit Jane even though she was often not aware I was in the room; and my husband and I surrendered ALL. We were reading God's words, we were seeking godly counsel, we were praying, and we continued to live and love. We were open to whatever direction God was leading us. Then just three days after the lawsuit was filed (on my normal Monday morning visit with Jane), God gave us instruction (Praise me first); a promise (I will protect you in court); and an incredible second prayer of blessing on our lives. For ten more precious months, God continued to use Jane to speak words of instruction, encouragement, promise, and blessing to our lives.
• God closed the mouth of the lion and totally protected us exactly one year to the day that Jane spoke and gave us His last words. Jeremiah 33—A promise of release and restoration.
• God is faithful.
• God is just.
• God cannot lie.
• We are safe in His hands.

Those are all things I KNOW! I know... that I know... that I know. We can go to God with a sincere heart and a clear conscience. God is real. He is available to us, and we can draw near to Him. So, Hebrews 10:23 - "Let us hold firmly to the hope that we have confessed, because we can trust God to do what he has promised." That is our life. We have chosen to believe and to follow His leading—no matter what.

But, there is a flip side for those who have known the truth and turned their backs on it. Jesus is no longer their High Priest and there is no longer a sacrifice for their sins. Hebrews 10:27 - "There is nothing but fear in waiting for the judgment and terrible fire that will destroy all those who live against God." What an awful reality! The writer of Hebrews quotes Deuteronomy 32:35 - "I will punish those who do wrong; I will repay them." and Psalm 135:14 - "The Lord will judge his people." Hebrews 10:31 - "It is  terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

Hebrews 10:36–39 - "So do not lose courage... you must hold on, so you can do what God wants and receive what he has promised. For in a very short time,

"The One who is coming will come and will not be delayed. The person who is right with me will live by trusting in me. But if he turns back in fear, I will not be pleased with him." Habakkuk 2:3–4 

But we are not those who turn back and are lost. We are people who have faith and are saved."

We believe! Just two words, but it says it all.

WE BELIEVE!!

Addendum: 11/30/16 ~ There are times when you read the Bible that something just jumps off the page at you. It happened today as I was reading this chapter. Actually, it happened twice.  

The first phrase is found in Hebrews 10:13 - "But after Christ offered one sacrifice for sins, forever, he sat down at the right side of God. And now Christ waits there for his enemies to be put under his power." I've never thought about it that way before. I obviously knew scripture talks about Jesus sitting at the right hand of the Father, but I never thought about Christ sitting there and waiting for His enemies to be put under His power and held accountable for their actions.  

The second thing that stood out to me is found in Hebrews 10:26–31.

"If we decide to go on sinning after we have learned the truth there is no longer any sacrifice for sins. There is nothing but fear in waiting for the judgment and the terrible fire that will destroy all those who live against God. Anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was found guilty from the proof given by two or three witnesses. He was put to death without mercy. So what do you think should be done to those who do not respect the Son of God, who look at the blood of the agreement that made them holy as no different for others' blood, who insult the Spirit of God's grace? Surely they should have a much worse punishment. We know that God said, "I will punish those who do wrong; I will repay them." And he also said, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (emphasis mine)

Hebrews 10:13 - "And now Christ waits there for his enemies to be put under his power."  

Hebrews 10:31 - "It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

Accountability is real. God is a God of amazing love and righteous wrath. We (people) tend to want to make God into someone who is warm and fuzzy and a god who just wants to bless our socks off. We (people) don't want to face the reality of judgment if we decide to insult God's grace by continuing to sin. There IS accountability.

I'd like to grab some people by their collars, shake them, and say—WAKE UP!! Don't you get it?!? God is a God of love and wrath!! Our choices dictate which attribute of God we will receive. A day of accounting WILL come!! Today, before it is too late, stop being stubborn and change your heart and lives. Please!

But yet, I know it is a decision only they/you can make. I cannot make it for them/you or I would. I have made my decision. I choose to believe. I choose to obey. I don't ever want to face the wrath of a righteous God. I want to hear the words, "Well done thou good and faithful servant."

TODAY!! Before it's too late. Please listen! Please accept God's gift of Grace.   


 Next Entry: Hebrews 11:1–40