Window of Opportunity

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION.

While you still can, strive by faith to understand and follow God’s mission for you (Heb 6:7-8). #WindowOfOpportunity #FulfillGodsPlan #StandingStrongInFaith

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The writer is speaking to believers here (vv1-6 describes it beautifully clear). Verses 7 and 8 illustrate a principal of discipline in the believer’s life. When rain falls on a field, it bears fruit. If that same field bears only thorns, thistles and weeds, the farmer burns the worthless brush away. I don’t conclude this to mean that believers will lose their salvation or maybe they weren’t believers to begin with (read vv1-6 again).

My understanding and life experience of this leads me to conclude that believers who are rebellious, unwilling to listen to God and grow to maturity (5:11) are in danger. They have “fallen aside from,” “side-stepped,” their responsibility, their opportunities to be productive for God. They bring harm to the work of the Kingdom. God WILL bring correction and judgment on his children for their own good. Heb 3:12-19 is evidence of that. (Also note 1Co 3:12,13; 2Co 5:9-11)

Lord, may I never miss a window of opportunity to grow in my faith and obedience to you.

________

THIS SENTRY’S TESTIMONY:

“Last Call”

God is serious about his children’s growth and obedience.

As an eight year old boy I gave my heart to Jesus. That’s when I met the Lamb of God. I had some growth in my early years. But later, in spite of my faith and upbringing, I became rebellious.

In college my life went completely off the rails. God often spoke to my heart, but I would not listen. I’ll spare you the details, but I wanted God to butt out of my life. I spurned my faith. Yet, in the deepest recesses of my heart, I knew that Jesus was tenaciously and compassionately striving with me.

Fast forward: through my rebellion I squandered my college opportunity. I was failing after three years of mischief. I was asked not to return to campus. As a result, I was drafted into the military. I soon found myself thousands of miles away from home in the war torn land of Vietnam.

God was bringing severe judgment and discipline into my life to get my attention. After many previous calls for me to return to him, to mature in my faith, to be used of him, he was about to issue the “Last Call.”

As a believer I was doing more harm to the faith than good. I was “falling aside from,” “side-stepping,” my responsibility, my opportunity to be productive for God. My lifestyle as a “believer” had brought me dangerously close to holding Jesus up to open shame. God was ready to set me aside, leaving the likelihood of my repentance for renewal as a remote and unlikely possibility (Heb 6:6).

On December 28, 1968, I was standing watch in a guard tower. It was in the early morning hours. I was lonely and I was scarred. I had a small New Testament in the pocket of my flak jacket (my church gave it to me before I left – it felt more like a good luck charm to me; maybe it would stop a bullet).

I pulled that New Testament from my pocket. I opened it up to the Gospel of John and began to read: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:” (Jhn 1:1, 4-5, 10-12)

When I read the words, “He came to his own and his own did not receive him”, my heart was deeply convicted. I heard God distinctly speak into my heart. He said to me, “I have come to to you over and over again. You have not received what I have for you.”

In my heart I knew that I was living dangerously close to even more severe judgment than being in a hostile far away country (maybe committing a sin unto death – 1Jn 5:16,17. That’s when God issued what I knew then was my “Last Call.” He said to me, “Tonight you have a choice. You can go home in a body bag or you can go home serving me. The choice is yours and the time is now.”

The next thing I remember, I was on my hands and knees in that guard tower over the Saigon River. I was weeping and asking God to forgive my rebelliousness. I was broken, weeping and confessing sin.

[1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”]

On my knees in that guard tower before God I felt his cleansing touch. It washed me clean from the top of my combat helmet to the bottom of my combat boots. My heart and life was revived in joy and total surrender to God.

[When I was an eight year old boy I met the Lamb of God. At age twenty-one, I met the Lion of Judah. Jesus became the Undisputed Lord of my life.

I never looked back. Life changed for me in that solitary moment of surrender to God. For fifty-five years now God has continuously done gracious undeserved works in my life.

“Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion” (Heb 3:15).

Crippling Faith

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION.

Be alert to error leading to beliefs that cripple the faith (Heb 6:4–6). #BeAlert #CripplingFaith

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Following the clear challenge to these mostly Jewish readers to grow up into maturity in Christ (vv1–3), the writer sounds a terse warning. Some believers in Christ, due to a lack of understanding and growth, were in danger of turning their backs on Christ and returning to a Jewish system of works for salvation. When one becomes unconcerned with their sin there is a catastrophic disconnect with God. Hearts are in danger of becoming hardened towards repentance.

Their apostate beliefs essentially put Christ to open shame again by their public disrespect of him and their hardened hearts toward God. Their influence puts the church in danger of division and confusion, crippling her effectiveness. They would be judged harshly for this by God (3:12–19; 6:7,8). Lord, may I be alert to anything that cripples my faith and leads me off the path of abundant life.

Note the similar warning posted on this blog below

Rest Ahead

God’s Study Hall: Open

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION.

Seek to learn and grow in spiritual maturity (Heb 6:1-3). #GodsStudyHall #StudyToShowYourselfApproved #GrowInChrist

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

This passage is clear. It is imperative that followers of Christ continue to build on first principles. Maturity as a follower depends upon it. Maturity here has to do with the fulfillment of purpose, to complete the assignment with competence and confidence; to bring glory to God.

“God willing,“ reveals a yielded heart that is ready to move forward in faith. It’s time to check in to God‘s Study Hall. Seek understanding from Scripture, obey and go on to fulfill God‘s purpose for your life. Father, this aging sentry desires to continue on and pursue your purpose in my life.

The Christ Way

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION.

Choose to set your heart upon Christ who gave his all for us (Heb 5:8-10). #VictoryInObedience #ChooseLifeChoseJesus

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Oh dear soul of mine (Psm 43:5), this precious Savior of mine, this Jesus, left his home in glory (Phi 2:5–8). He CHOSE to limit himself by becoming a man, to be touched by the frailties of humanity. He learned obedience as a man (grew in wisdom and stature as a man – Luk 2:52). Jesus CHOSE to do that, for me. Because of his obedience, God gave him a great victory through sorrow and death to resurrection.

I don’t have a choice about grief or suffering in my life. BUT, I can choose how I will face the defeats, the hurts, and the disappointments of life. I reject bitterness and I choose life abundant. Like Christ, I too can know the blessing and victory of God through my obedience. Lord, like Job, who said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust him“ (Job 13:15), I choose you.

The Resurrected Life

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION.

Rejoice in a living Savior who died for your sin and arose assuring your eternal life in Him (Heb 5:7). #GodsPerfectSacraficeForSin #DeadToSinAliveToChrist

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

This morning I read the absolute most remarkable thing about Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane, the night before his crucifixion (Mat 26:36-44). Some say God did not answer Christ’s prayer to deliver him from death. Though grief stricken over the burden of man’s sin, it’s not likely Jesus would pray such a prayer. He was obediently prepared to do the Father’s will and die.

The truth turns on the Greek word “êk“ used in this passage. God the Father heard Christ’s prayer and delivered him [through or out from] death. Christ was rescued out from (êk) the grip of death by his resurrection. So God will also do for every believer. “Oh death where is your victory? Thanks be to God, he gives victory over sin and death through Christ Jesus” (1Cor 15:55-57).

Here I learn that Christ is a high priest who is acquainted with all my grief and sorrow. I also learn that Christ was the complete fulfillment of forgiveness for my sin. He died for me. Further, His resurrection is the reason I can rejoice in my deliverance from death.

Applied Learning

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION.

Continue to read, grow and apply God‘s Word to your life (Heb 6:1– 3). #AppliedLearning #ReadStudyApplyGodsWord

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

I once heard a pastor say, to the effect, believers who are floundering ought to sit and read large portions of Scripture at a time. Doing this for a short period would re-introduced them to the language and content of Scripture. The writer of Hebrews seems to be taking that approach with these believers. They have learned but not been building upon their basic instruction.

Our writer says, rather than re-teach the basics, God willing, he would go on with further instruction. The point is that believers must continue to build on their faith and grow, applying the Scriptures. Lord I look forward with anticipation to coming daily before you with an open Bible, an open mind and an open heart.

Grow Up!

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION.

May you continue growing up into maturity in Christ (Heb 5:11–14; 6:1-3). #GrowingUpInChrist #MaturingInChrist

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Reading this passage makes me think the writer of Hebrews becomes newly aroused at the lack of growth, maturity and understanding of his readers. He asks, “How long have you been believers? Are you still so immature in your understanding? You should be teaching others the truths I’m teaching you.”

He goes on, “You have grown up with the Hebrew scriptures. You have experienced the abundant life in Christ pictured in the Jewish sacrificial system.” He challenges them to move past pablum, the basics of faith and on to solid food, maturity in faith.

Lord, having walked almost 70 years in faith, I still desire to keep growing, learning more and maturing in my faith.

Jesus Sinless Mediator

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION.

Rest securely in Jesus, our sinless representative/advocate with God (Heb 5:1-10). #JesusSinlessAdvocate #JesusSinlessPriest #JesusSinlessMediator

High Priest: Represent Men to God; God to Men

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Jesus, unlike the high priests of his day – chosen by Roman authorities, qualifies as our High Priest. 1) He was called and chosen of God. Like Aaron in the Old Testament, Jesus was chosen, called by God to be our High Priest (note these references: Heb 1:5; Psm 110:4; Jhn 1:29-34).

2) It is further essential that the High Priest be able to deal compassionately with broken humanity. He must be subject to the life, challenges and sufferings of men, yet without sin.

3) Finally, he would be a man motivated and compelled by God to serve others, pray earnestly for others and sacrifice his life for others.

Jesus qualifies as the sinless High Priest of our faith. Lord, I may rest securely in you as the fulfillment of the role of High Priest, eternally advocating for me.

See also on this blog The Greatest Hope (link here).

The Greatest Hope

Favor With God

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION.

Come confidently into God’s presence to receive his mercy & grace (Heb 4:16). #FindingFavorWithGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The word of God exposes me for who I am (vv12,13). I am left without any excuses and guilty before an eternal judge, Jesus Christ. But this judge has already paid the penalty for my sin and guilt (vv14,15). He is my judge and my pardon.

Then, this judge does the unthinkable. He invites me into his chambers. He says, “You may come into my chambers anytime for help. You will always be welcome.” I may confidently come before God‘s throne of grace, beleaguered as I may be, and find grace and mercy in my time of greatest need. He understands who I am and what exactly is my need.

When this sentry loses his way, confounded by his own circumstances, God’s mercy and grace will be given to him in just the right measure, at just the right time.

__________

Read Heb 4:16 again (Amp Version). Pause and reflect between each phrase.

“Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor]

– PAUSE –

with confidence and without fear,

– PAUSE –

so that we may receive mercy [for our failures]

– PAUSE –

and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].”

-PAUSE-

Consider this blog post, Jesus: Savior-Brother. Link below.

https://theprayersentry.com/2023/01/28/jesus-savior-brother/

Comprehending The Incomprehensible

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION.

Be open to God’s incomprehensible love & grace (Heb 4:14-16). #NoLoveLikeGod’sLove #IncomprehensibleLoveMadeBelievableInChrist

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God has made his incomprehensible love believable to us by the life and work of Jesus Christ.

1) The word of God convicts of sin (4:12).

2) The Living Word, Jesus, is the one to whom every man will give an account (4:13).

3) Jesus also understands man’s every weakness and frailty – he himself has lived as a man and faced every life challenge just as we have, but without sin (4:14,15).

4) Jesus extends mercy and grace to all men that they might know redemption (4:16).

Some have believed God knows our needs but does not care. Others have believed God neither knows nor cares. Neither is true. Jesus is God in the flesh. He lived and walked among us. He has made God’s incomprehensible love believable. As such, he has pierced the veil between God and man so that man might know that God is for us. (Psm 56:9; 118:6; Rom 8:31).

Lord, This old sentry is overwhelmed by your incomprehensible love and grace.