Believers that have been Christians for a long period of time, have to take time to recall how they felt when they first come to Christ.  It's always a thrill to see a new believer who is motivated by the love of God to learn and serve as much as they can.  The writer of Hebrews made an allusion to this when he spoke to believers about their hope. 
Heb. 6:11 Now we desire each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of your hope until the end,
Today is a good day for diligence! 
​Praise God! 

That's what the writer of Hebrews said in chapter 6 as he was making the point that God's promises to Israel were being fulfilled.  "I will bless you, and I will greatly multiply you". (Hebrews 6:14). Then the writer mentioned the reality for believers now that Christ has come.  

8 so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.

​Praise God! 

When the writer of Hebrews was talking about hope, he made a statement that involved boasting!  The Christian's confession of Christ is a high testimony.  There is no doubt about that.  We declare that we belong to Jesus and He has not only set us free from the power of sin, but He has also put us in right relationship with God and given us abiding hope for all eternity!  Wow! what a statement. Then he mentions another thing we should do.  Hold on. 

But Christ was faithful as a Son over his household. And we are that household if we hold on to our confidence and the hope in which we boast.

We can "hold on" to our hope and have assurance for all eternity!  Praise God! 

Jesus gave the invitation.  He calls people to follow Him.  When He was on the earth, He specifically called the 12 disciples plus the rich young ruler (who didn't accept). In His teaching He invites everyone to follow Him.  It is mentioned in each of the 4 Gospels.  If haven't followed Him yet, the door is open!  Make the decision today!  If you have, rejoice.  He has great purposes for you right now.  

Matt. 16:24        Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

Mark 8:34        Calling the crowd along with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

Luke 9:23        Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.

John 12:26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me. Where I am, there my servant also will be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. 
Praise God! 

The invitation of Jesus to us is for rest, deliverance and freedom.  He said he has come that we might have life and life more abundantly. (John 10:10)  In Matthew 11, Jesus was talking to His disciples about the relationship that He has with His father.  Then He issued a powerful invitation.  

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Five chapters later He will issue another invitation to "take up our cross and follow Him." (Matt 16: 24-25) Hear the invitation of Jesus today and find rest for your soul.   Praise God! 

God has attributes!  Attributes are qualities that define the essence of being.  The great Christian theologian Millard Erickson classified God's attributes in two broad categories.  Greatness and goodness.  The first has to do with power and ability.  The second has to do with morality and character.  The Psalmist used the word nine times.  Psalm 31:19 conveys it perfectly.  

Psa. 31:19        How great is your goodness,
    which you have stored up for those who fear you.
    In the presence of everyone you have acted
    for those who take refuge in you.

We can take refuge in Him today.  Bring your sorrows, your joys, your hopes, fears and opportunities to Him and have certainty that all His activities toward you will be good because He is good!  Praise God! 

God is Great!  God is Good!  Let us Thank Him!  Theologians refer to those qualities as attributes,   God's greatness has to do with His might and His power!  He knows everything (omniscience).  He can do anything (omnipotence) and He is everywhere present (omnipresent).  He is GREAT.  When the Psalmists prayed they highlighted these attributes to ascribe worship, but also to teach the next generation about the qualities of God.  The second verse of the last Psalm declares it!

Psa. 150:2     Praise him for his powerful acts;
    praise him for his abundant greatness.
Praise God! 

I like to walk in the mornings.  This morning I had a song that I recalled all the verses.  I sang away as I reflected on the grand truth in this historic melody.   The verses are powerful!  I looked it up to see who the author was, and of course, it was Fanny Crosby!.  Here it is for you. Thanks to hymnary.org for the words.

1 Praise him, praise him! Jesus, our blessed redeemer!
Sing, O earth, his wonderful love proclaim!
Hail him, hail him! Highest archangels in glory!
Strength and honor give to his holy name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard his children.
In his arms he carries them all day long.
Refrain:
Praise him! Praise him! tell of his excellent greatness.
Praise him! Praise him! ever in  joyful song.
2 Praise him, praise him! Jesus, our blessed redeemer!
For our sins, he suffered, and bled, and died.
He our rock, our hope of eternal salvation,
hail him, hail him! Jesus, the crucified.
Sound his praises, Jesus who bore our sorrows,
love unbounded, wonderful, deep, and strong. [Refrain]
3 Praise him, praise him! Jesus, our blessed redeemer!
Heav’nly portals loud with hosannas ring!
Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever!
Crown him, crown him! prophet, and priest, and king!
Christ is coming, over the world victorious.
Pow’r and glory unto the Lord belong. 

Praise God!

The prophet Jeremiah had a unique position as he was called by the Lord to share the word of God to the people of Judah.  What is so interesting about Jeremiah is that his call came as the culture was declining economically, morally, and spiritually.  This bold preacher understood through the crucible of trials that the Lord was faithful.  When he gave the first part of his "boasting instructions" (Jer 9:23). He told his hearers what NOT to do. Now he declares the positive.  What is the one area of "boasting' that is authorized?  One might call it TESTIFYING!  

But the one who boasts should boast in this:
    that he understands and knows me--
    that I am the LORD, showing faithful love,
    justice, and righteousness on the earth,
    for I delight in these things.
        This is the LORD’s declaration.
PRAISE GOD!

Normally, bragging or boasting is not a good thing.  The Bible is clear that pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall (Prov. 16:18).  There is a an articulate suggestion in the book of Jeremiah about boasting.  It is literally "boasting instructions".  First.  He describes how not to boast.  The three things that most people work all of their life for are in that list. 
Jer. 9:23    “‘This is what the LORD says:
    The wise person should not boast in his wisdom;
    the strong should not boast in his strength;
    the wealthy should not boast in his wealth.

That covers just about everything.  I notice that the way Jeremiah introduces his instructions is by quoting from the Lord.  "This is what the Lord says".  Now we know what not to do, it's half the battle!  The next verse tells us what TO DO
Praise God! 

It would be years before the prophecies about the Messiah would come true.  Jerusalem was being rebuilt. God through His Spirit moved upon the heart of the prophet and hope grew.  His purposes would be accomplished.  Human effort would be joined by God's might and strength.  He didn't know all the details but he knew who was in charge.  Zechariah declared under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that God was up to something. He quotes the word of the angel in his vision:
6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.
We can trust that God can get His purposes accomplished.  Let's join the adventure!  Praise God! 

The mission of God for His church is that they would seize opportunities for the spread of the Gospel.  That being said, Christ invites us to participate in the plan of God.  The apostle Paul modeled this as he evangelized the known world.  The Gospel made it to our part of the world, largely because of those efforts in Thessalonica, Laodicea, Phillipi, Colossae and Ephesus.  Consider Paul's two strategic prayer requests. 
Cor. 16:9 because a wide door for effective ministry has opened for me—yet many oppose me.

Col. 4:3 At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains,
When we dare to ask, God will open a door for us to share the best news in the world!  Praise God! 

A great verse in "My Savior's Love" goes like this.  "He took my sins and my sorrows!  He made them His very own!  He bore the burden to Calvary and suffered and died alone".  How marvelous!  How Wonderful! And my Song shall ever be!  How Marvelous!  How Wonderful!  Is my Saviors love for me!"  May we NEVER get bored with Jesus.  He's the Pearl of great price! (Matt 13:46)  He's the treasure hidden in a field! (Matt 13:14)   His name is above every Name!  Praise God! 

Last evening I saw the most amazing sunset.  I recalled a chorus from a hymn. "I Stand Amazed in the Presence". This hymn was written by Charles S. Gabriel in 1905.  I wanted to share the chorus with you.  "How marvelous, how wonderful and my song shall ever be, How marvelous, how wonderful is my Savior's love for me!" How marvelous indeed.  Praise God! 

Paul clearly constructs his trustworthy statement in 2 Timothy 2:10-13 with the power of the Gospel in verse 11.  Then the fact of our free will in verse 12.  What follows in verse 13 is simply amazing and grand.  It's a description of the grace of God tied to His sinless and loving nature.  
    "if we are faithless, he remains faithful,    
for he cannot deny himself."
Even in our rebellion we can turn to Him and find this amazing grace and restoration! 
Praise God! 

Paul's trustworthy saying to Timothy would help him to disciple the church at Ephesus.  He introduced it in verse 1` with "If we died with Him, we will live with Him". That powerful assurance then transitions to the next verse which has contrasting thoughts. First is the assurance that our endurance amid the highs and lows of life, will be rewarded: "if we endure, we will also reign with him;"  What follows is a sober warning if we persist in a state of rebellion:    "if we deny him, he will also deny us;" We are free to choose.  Praise God.

Paul wrote to Timothy to help him know some basic principles of discipleship.  We all have the capacity to grow in Christ when we make the decision.  In 2 Timothy 2:11-13 Paul stated three powerful principles.  The first is based on the fact of Christ's atoning work on the cross and bodily resurrection from the dead.  
11 This saying is trustworthy:     For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him
Because He lives, we will live. Praise God! 

The writer of Hebrews wrote to convey the grand truth of Old Testament fulfillment.  Jesus had accomplished complete victory.  For those who understood the Jewish tabernacle system, there were questions and concerns.  Would sacrifices still need to be made?  What was the purpose of the feasts and festivals now?  How should we live?  Then he said this:

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Praise God!

Habakkuk mentioned it first.  He was looking into the future.  The "just shall live by faith" (Hab 2:4) 
Since no one is righteous, how can this be true?  Christ came so that the unjust could be "just". (1 Peter 3:18). Paul makes mention of the righteous living by faith throughout Romans.  In the first chapter he quotes from Habakkuk.
Rom. 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.
Two chapters later, he makes the application of what Christ's work has accomplished for everyone who believes. God presented him to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so that he would be just and justify the one who has faith in Jesus. (Rom. 3:26). Praise God! 

​For the Christian, every day is an adventure.  God's purposes and plans are grander and greater than we could ever imagine.  We have chosen to believe in the One who came to redeem the world.  His promises are true and His nature is reliable.  The authors of the salvation history song "Living by Faith" (James Wells and W.E. Winsett) captured it so well in the first verse. 
I care not today what the morrow may bring, 
If shadow or sunshine or rain
The Lord I know ruleth or everything
And all of my worry is vain
We live by faith in Christ!  Praise God! 

I've always loved the book of Hebrews because of the way it starts.  I recently discovered that what I was dealing with was a two-verse wonder.  That's my label for when a complete and powerful thought is expressed across two verses.  Hebrews 1:1-2. 
Heb. 1:1        Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways. 2 In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through Him! 
God speaks.  The Bible is His revelation to us! It's a specific revelation about His nature and His redemptive plan. I'm so glad we are privileged to have the Bible in our own language.  There are still over 5000 languages on earth that don't have the Bible in their language. If you'd like to support the ministry of Wycliffe Bible Translators you can do that here: Wycliffe Bible Translators Praise God!

Words are powerful. Words can be profound.  Sometimes words are completely inadequate.  That's what Peter was referring to when he wrote to the Christians scattered throughout the Roman empire.  He was affirming their ability to believe something they hadn't seen.  The "joy unspeakable" was the phrase mentioned in 1 Peter 1:8. He referred to it as the type of joy that comes with believing in Christ.  With no evidence?  With no results?  With firm faith and believing, we can have unspeakable joy!  Praise God!

When Nehemiah and Ezra had just finished reading the law, the people of God wept because they were aware of the dysfunction and sin that had caused their ancestors so much trouble.  The Levites who were with them were careful to say "Do not grieve!  This day is holy to the Lord".  Indeed the awareness of sin is the first step to redemption.  It's a privilege that the Holy Spirit makes us aware of our sin, because we have a Savior!  At the end of their instruction the Levites declared over the people:  "​Do not grieve, because the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Neh 8:9-10). Praise God!