Forever Glorious  

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

May you see the glory, faithfulness, purity and eternal righteousness of God (Ezk 11:22,23). #ForeverGlorious

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

I am skipping ahead to the movement of God‘s glory from the east gate to the mountain on the east side of Jerusalem (that would be the Mount of Olives). From there, the glory of God would ascend into heaven and not return to the Temple. 

Centuries later, Christ, the radiance of God‘s glory (Heb 1:1-3) would return in fulfillment of many prophecies concerning his birth, death and resurrection. Much of the later ministry of Christ centered in and around the place of God’s departure from Israel, the Mount of Olives in Ezekiel’s vision.*

Lord, may I not get bogged down in the daily struggle through the imagery of the prophets, time lines and prophetic utterances. May my reading, study and meditation on the your word lead me to see the glory of God, the faithfulness of God, purity of God, the patience of God with man and God‘s ultimate judgment of sin and God’s deliverance of his righteous ones into the eternal glorious homeland of Heaven. 

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* Hailed as King of the Jews, Christ would make his triumphal entry into Jerusalem by an east gate (by that time Jerusalem and the Temple of Ezekiel’s day would have been destroyed and rebuilt). 

One week later Christ would be crucified and resurrected from the dead. 40 days after that Christ would ascend from the Mount of Olives back into heaven (Acts 1:9-12). He would fill all believes with his glory (Col 1:27). He will one day return again descending in this same place (Zec 14:1-4; Acts 1:10,11). He will return as the reigning king over his new eternal Kingdom (Rev 11:25).

God Exalted In Life

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

May we see God exalted, lifted up, in our lives (Ezk 1:22,23,26). #SplendorRevealed #SeeGodInNewWays #SeeGodExalted 

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The four living beings (cherubim) in Ezekiel‘s vision appeared to be lifting or escorting a great heavenly platform over their heads. It looked like ice or crystal and was gleaming in a formidable yet awe-inspiring way. God’s throne sat upon or above it. When the beings moved, the entire platform moved with them (v19-21). Moses and 70 others saw something similar [Exo 24:10,11). 

The Apostle John also saw something close to Ezekiel’s vision as well (Rev 4:1–11). Our God is exalted high above the Earth. He reigns in a heavenly bliss, above the corruption of earth. Yet, he has revealed his true heart for earth (for man) in Christ (note: Phi 2:6-11).* Lord, you reveal yourself to man (to me) as exalted above all the earth.

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* Jhn 1:1,2,14; 5:18; Rom 8:3; 14:11; Eph 1:20-22; Col 1:15–20; Heb 1:3,4; Isa 45:23

Jesus = God

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Place your faith in the truth of God (1Jhn 5:20,21). #JesusSonOfGod #JesusAutherOfNewLife #KnowingChristMakingHimKnown

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

John’s last words: “We KNOW [by experience] the Son of God has come.“ John and the disciples knew Jesus personally. His readers knew these eye witnesses to Christ. We can know Christ also by their witness. I have myself known the abiding deep love of God in Christ, who is God and reveals God.

I am able to conclude from the veracity of scripture and the change in my life and others that Jesus is truly God; that he is our eternal life. This is in contrast to the false gods of this world. “On Christ the solid rock, I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.“ Lord, my faith rests in the testimony of your word and the witness of Christ.

Set Free

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Be assured that in Christ you are no longer bound to sin (1Jhn 5:18,19). #SetFree #FreeToChooseRighteousness

F R E E

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The Christian does not practice sin (rebellion against God). The heart of the Christian has been set free from slavery to sin. Is the Christian sinless? No. The Christian has been freed from sin’s power over them (is free to choose God’s ways).

Christians are not perfect, in a moral sense, but surrendered to the living God; has been made righteous in Christ. The world (from which the Christian has been called out) remains under Satan‘s dominion and continues in rebellion towards God. Lord, thank you that, in Christ, I am no longer under the rule of the evil one. I am set free to follow and serve God.

Son Life

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Lean fully upon God’s promise of eternal life (1Jhn 5:10-12).

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

John is finishing his case for believing in the living Christ. Verse 10b explains clearly that to refuse to accept the threefold witness of God for Christ (vv6-10a) is to call God a liar. Continuing in defiance of God is a sin from which to run.

God has given us eternal life in his son, Jesus. If you have the son, you have the life. It is a gift. In Christ, God has “given us eternal life.” John McArthur makes a clear and simple statement of this truth: “Eternal life is the divine presence of Jesus in us.“ It is a forever gift. Lord, 1Jn 5:11-13 has long been a precious promise to my heart.

Love’s Outcome

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Surrender daily to a love relationship with Christ (1Jn 4:16,17).

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

We know how much God loves us. He offered up his only Son on a cross to take all the punishment we deserved for our crimes, our sin (vv9,10; Jhn 3:16). We put all our trust in that sacrificial event of love. We are in him by that love and he is in us by his Holy Spirit (v13).

As we continue abiding in that love it grows into greater maturity. The result, the outcome is that we will have nothing to fear on the day of judgment. We will be able to face our Lord with confidence because we have genuinely sought to live like Christ in and before a watching world.

Lord, this old sentry continues daily pressing into this love and relationship with you.

God Revealed

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May the world see God in us by our love (1Jn 4:9-12). #GodIsLove #ShowGod’sLove #God’sLoveOnDisplay

“No one has ever seen God. But his love is made known in believers” (1Jn‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬)

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Here is John’s companion verse to John 3:16. God so loved us. he sent his only son into our world, that we might have eternal life through him. He (Jesus) sacrificed his life, bearing our punishment for sin’s absolution (1Jn3:16). God gave us the model for how we ought to love each other (sacrifice).

This is profound: “No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us and his love is brought to full expression in us.“ People see the living compassionate God in our love for each other. Lord, may this old sentry truly manifest, give expression to, the reality of the living God.

Announcing The Good News

TODAY WE CELEBRATE THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE BEST NEWS IN ALL OF HISTORY!

“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!

And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-‭14‬ ‭

Love As Christ Loved Us

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION

Love others unconditionally as christ loved (1Jn 3:16,17). #LoveMoreThanWords #LoveUnconditionally #LoveOneAnother #SelfSacrafice

God Loved Us; He Sent His Son

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

As believers, we are not without an example of unconditional love. This word love in the Greek is agápē. It is a self sacrificing love. It is conditioned solely on the one loving, not on how good or bad the recipient of that love may be.

This love will always give out of its own resources, no matter how small or great. that is how Jesus loved. That is how we are love. We love others as Christ loved us. That is often hard work. It takes a surrender and reliance on God’s Holy Spirit. Lord, may I love with the heart of Christ.

Spiritual Malpractice

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION

May sin lead us to brokenness, repentance, confession & renewal (1Jn 3:4-10). #Repentance #Confession #Brokenness #Renewal

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

If one is a true believer (has repented of sin and trusted Christ as Savior), that one will not continue in sin. Are believers sinless? Obviously not. There is only one sinless, Jesus, and he died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sin. To say one “believes” but continues in sin is spiritual malpractice.

What John is saying here is that true believers will not go on practicing sin as a habit or lifestyle. They are not indifferent to God‘s moral law. When a believer sins, he/she is broken, sensitive to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and confesses that sin. “God is faithful to forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1Jn 1:9).

Lord, thank you for a heart to follow Christ; for loving me through my failures.

Hold Fast

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION

Remain faithful to the truth of the gospel (1Jn 2:24,25). #HoldFastToTruth #RemainFaithfulToTruth #GospelTruth

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

John’s exhortation, in light of the spirit of antichrist that has gone out into the world, is to, “remain faithful“. That is, hold fast, continue and persist in trusting the truth of God. The truth has come in Christ. If you persist in following Christ you will also persist in fellowship with him and the father.

This fellowship is an eternal bond. Christ’s life is in you and this life eternal shall be yours as promised (John 3:16; 5:24; 1Jn 5:11,12). Lord, I hold fast to my confession: Jesus is the Son of God, he died for my sin, his resurrection secures my eternal life, and he will return again to inaugurate his eternal kingdom.

The Defense Never Rests

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION

Trust Christ’s sacrifice for all sin and forgiveness (1Jn 2:1,2). #ChristOurAdvocate

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The aged apostle John addresses his readers fondly, as a loving father would to his children. Of course his desire is that they not sin. What father would not wish that for his children? But he knows also that no one is immune to sin.

So, John wants his readers to know that when sin does enter into a life, there is hope. Jesus Christ advocates for us based on his death sacrifice for sin. His defense never rests. Our God hears his plea and forgives all sin based on Christ’s righteousness in us (1Co 1:30; 2Co 5:21). Lord, I may trust my eternal counselor who is my advocate with God.



Eternal Plan

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Remain faithful to Jesus, the eternal King (Jer 36:30). #RemainFaithful #BelieveInJesus

God’s Eternal plan

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The notes on this verse (Life Application Study Bible) point out that wicked King Jehoiakim ended the mortal human beings who were descended directly from David. Jehoiachin, Jehoiakim’s son, sat for 90 days on the throne and then his uncle Zedekiah became king (not a descendent of David).

But less than 600 years later, the eternal King and Messiah, Jesus, came as a direct descendent of David. He came to save his people from their sins (Mat 1:21). Even the entire world might be saved through him; become children of God (Jhn 1:11-13) In the midst of tragedy and disobedience God never loses sight of his eternal plan.

May this old sentry remain faithful to Jesus, the living King and my lord.

A Bride, A Heavenly Prince

I had been reading from Psalms to precious bride, Dianne, nearly every day during her decline in health. On the day that she passed into the arms of her heavenly Prince I was reading Psalm 45 to her.

The verses that really jumped out at me as I read were verses 10-15 (especially 13-15):

In context I believe the writer is likely speaking of Israel; but the church as well may be in view. 

Psalm 45:10-15 (NLT)

10 Listen to me, O royal daughter; take to heart what I say.

[Nothing in this world compares to what you shall see] *

honor him, for he is your lord.

12 The princess of Tyre will shower you with gifts.

The wealthy will beg your favor.

11 For your royal husband delights in your beauty;

Oh, how she is lavishly received by the King

13 The bride, a princess, looks glorious

in her golden gown.

14 In her beautiful robes, she is led to the [Prince of Peace],

accompanied by her bridesmaids.

15 What a joyful and enthusiastic procession

as they enter the king’s palace!

Oh, how she is lavishly received by the king. How he delights in her beauty. The bride, glorious in her golden gown, is led to the king. There is a joyful procession as she enters in.

Dianne, my bride of near 53 years

I could not have known at the moment I read those verses that this would be Dianne’s day of exaltation. As I read it, I wept. For I had visions of my beloved being escorted into the King’s glorious palace so bright, just as the church collectively, Christ’s beautiful bride, will certainly arrive one day. It absolutely took my breathe away.

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* My interpretation of “Forget your people and your family far away.” It is as Jesus said in Matthew 19:29, “And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.”

Not What We Deserve

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Give thanks for God’s unfailing justice, mercy, and love (Psm 103:6–10). #UndeservedFavor #UnfailingLoveAndMercy

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Who is this God of tender mercies towards men (vv1-5)? He is the God who gives. He gives righteousness, puts men in good stead with him (1Co 1:30; 2Co 5:21; Jer 33:15). He gives justice to the oppressed, making men right with each other. He is the God who reveals who he is. He did so with Moses (Exo 20:1,2; 33:13–20) and his people.

God is the God of all compassion and mercy, long-suffering, full of unfailing, unconditional love. He is the God who mitigates his actions towards sinful men by his mercy. He does not give us all that we deserve for sin (grace). Lord, I may count on your promises to forever wash and cleanse me from all sin.

Can’t Thank God?

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Forget not God’s tender mercies towards you (Psm 103:3-4). #God’sTenderMercies #GiveThanksToGod

The Tender Mercies of God Towards Man

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The Psalmist is intentional about giving thanks for God‘s goodness (we really have very little to complain about). Can’t thank God? Start here. Start with thanks for God’s forgiveness of all your sin by his pardoning mercy (how we long to be excused for the errors we make).

Thank God for his tender mercies, attending to all of our inward and outward sufferings (how we long for a comforting touch or word in the midst of misery).

Thank God for delivering us from the pit of guilt, distress, and death itself (how we long for a loving hand to reach out and snatch us from the rim of despair).

Lord, how I thank you for all your tender mercies towards me.

“A Charge To Keep”

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Keep your charge to influence all people for Christ (Heb 13:20,21). #AChargeToKeep #GospelOfPeace

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Here is the benediction which closes the book of Hebrews, “May God‘s peace…“ Our world is in turmoil as never before. Men often despair of hope. Many suffer and tire of wars, rebellion and violence. Ours is a broken world. Nothing will set it straight but “God‘s perfect peace.“

The benediction is a charge to God’s people (that’s us), the purveyors of the message of God’s peace. Jesus, the “Shepherd,“ brings the peace of God to men’s thirsty souls.

Our call is certain. Our marching orders are clear. Our equipping and empowerment is ratified by God to impact our world for good. We please him in the process. All glory to Christ forever.

Lord, may I keep my charge to take the Gospel of Peace to all in my sphere of influence.

Leaving All Behind

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Leave all behind and follow Christ (Heb 13:13). #LeaveAllAndFollowChrist #NoTurningBack

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

F.F. Bruce paints a clear picture of the meaning of the sin offering of Christ that bore such reproach.* The picture is of Moses who, “considered the stigma that rests on God’s anointed, greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt.“ (11:24-26).

Consider: following the incident of the “golden calf”, Moses pitched his “tent of meeting“ far outside the camp (Exo 33:7). “Camp” stands for the established system of Judaism. “Camp” equaled everything that was comfortable inside the rituals and traditions of Judaism.

Jesus stands outside the camp (the gates of Jerusalem). He was rejected inside that camp. We who follow Christ are called to leave the comfort of the “camp“ in exchange for the greater wealth that exists in Christ “outside the camp.“

On December 28,1968, I took my final step “outside the camp.” All that my flesh desired for the wealth of “Egypt” I left behind for the greater wealth to be had in Christ (Mat 16:24-26).

Lord, having left all behind, I follow you.

* F.F. Bruce – Hebrews Pg. 402–404.

Unashamed Follower

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Follow Christ whatever the cost (Heb 13:11-13). #TakeUpYourCross #Unashamed #FollowJesusNoMatterTheCost

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Rounding off the writer’s point of the supremacy of Christ’s sacrifice, he explains that in the old tabernacle system, an animal was sacrificed for sin “outside the camp” (in the wilderness). It was a place considered “unholy.“ The blood of the sacrifice was then brought into the “holy place“ [inside the camp] for atonement.

So also Christ was sacrificed [slain] “outside the gates“ [of Jerusalem]. He made what was unholy, Holy. His blood was poured out to make his people Holy. He made atonement for the sins of his people at Calvary. It follows that God’s people ought to declare their allegiance to Christ above all others; not be ashamed to bear the disgrace he bore. We leave the old familiar ways, traditions and rituals “inside the camp.” We unashamedly follow Christ.

Lord, may this old sentry continue to follow Christ, whatever the cost.

Deep Surrender

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Find your surrender on the altar of Christ (Heb 13:10,15). #DeepSurrender #ChristOurAltar #SacrificeForSin #ChristOurAtonement

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The writer makes one final reference to Christ as the supreme sacrifice for sin. He is our “ALTAR.” Attaching any idea of ritual performance as validation of salvation (v9) is unacceptable. The old system of animal sacrifice is done away in favor of the once for all time sacrifice of Christ for salvation. F.F. Bruce nails it. “Jesus is the anti-type” of the sacrifices made for sin on the Old Testament day of atonement.

The writer says, “We have an altar.” That is the same as saying, “We have a High Priest“ (8:1). Our altar is Christ. He is the new way for sin’s sacrifice. His sacrifice is the better way of salvation. I am reminded, one more time, to be grounded in grace is to be secure in Jesus. He is my one, my final, sacrifice for sin. I am humbled and eternally grateful. Lord, my only response is deep surrender to Christ (v15).

The Grounded Heart

May hearts be firmly established in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (Heb 13:9). #GraceAlone

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Verse eight links the exhortation to emulate faithful leaders who have taught truth from God‘s word (v7), with the notion of being deceived by “strange doctrines“ (v8). (Note: Gal 1:9). God‘s word will never change (Mat 24:35; 1Pe 1:23–25). Neither will the sacrifice and life teachings of Christ ever change.

To entertain some strange new teachings that center on keeping certain rules and rituals (or any other teachings, doctrines and philosophies of this world) will profit us nothing (Heb 9:10; Rom 14:17; 1Co 8:1). The heart (seat of spiritual understanding) must be grounded in the grace of God. There is no other standing with Christ.

Father, keep my heart firmly grounded in the grace of Christ.

Holiness Attained

PRAYING FOR FAMILY FRIENDS AND NATION:

May you grasp the depth of God’s mercy, love and grace (Heb 12:18–24). #GodsLoveAndMercy #TheOpenDoorToGod

Mount Zion / Mount Sinai

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

There is a world of difference between the flaming holiness and terrifying righteousness of the God of Israel (represented here by Mount Sinai – vv18–21) and the gracious merciful hand of the same God who reaches out in love to save (represented here by Mount Zion – vv22-24). The contrast is clear. God is Holy and Righteous. Yet, in his love and mercy, he cleared the way for ALL to come to him.

Vive la Différence

All men may come to God, not in fear and trembling, but in confidence and joy, knowing that Jesus (represented in all the symbolism of the temple) has cleared the way. The Holiness demanded in salvation is attainable through Christ Jesus and his shed blood on the cross. Lord, my heart and spirit cry out to grasp the depths of such mercy and grace.

None Beyond Redemption

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Have faith that God will forgive your sin and adopt you into his family (Heb 11:31). #Grace #WhosoeverWillMayCome #PutTrustInGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Who is this woman, Rehab, the harlot who warrants a place on a list of “Who’s Who“ in a Jewish history of great men of faith? She is not even a Jew, but a pagan Canaanite. What’s the point? The point is that “Faith“ belongs to anyone who will put their trust in Jehovah God. The Scriptures say, no one is beyond redemption (Rom 10:10-13).

Rahab, hid two Israelite spies who were spying out Jericho for Joshua. She prophesied Israel’s victory over Jericho (Jos 2:4-10ff). She enabled the spies to escape. She then sought refuge among God’s people (see Joshua Ch 2). A premier proselyte, she became the ancestress to many Hebrew kings and prophets; ultimately to Jesus the Messiah (Mat 1:1-6ff). Lord, thank you for accepting this old derelict sinner into the family of God.

Passover: Faith’s Tribute

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Celebrate deliverance from death and the promise of eternal life (Heb 11:28). #GodDeliversLifeEternal #Passover #Lord’sSupper #Deliverance

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The writer here describes a fourth act of faith in the life of Moses. When preparing to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt, Moses instituted the Passover with a view towards the regular celebration of Israel’s deliverance from the bondage of Egypt. He fully expected to be celebrating deliverance long into the future as a tribute to God’s promises (Exo 12:21-30)

Faith saved Moses at birth (v23). Faith called Moses away from the pleasures of his world (vv24–26). Faith led him to follow God into a personal wilderness journey (v27). Faith lead him to institute an act that would forever stand as a tribute to God‘s hand of deliverance (v28). Lord, by faith I celebrate my deliverance from sin and death to life eternal (the Lord’s Supper is my faith tribute to that).

“No!” To Defection

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND NATION:

Do not fail to heed the call of Christ to repent and return to him (Heb 10:26–31). #NoDefection #ChooseChrist

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

James T Draper observes here that the Greek word for “knowledge“ is one that certainly means the author is talking to believers.* But they were in danger of defecting back to Judaism. The judgment referred to here is the Judgment Seat of Christ (2Co 5:10). The believer’s life work shall be tested by fire as valid or not. One may be saved, yet every work judged as worthless.

Worse yet, having defected one may have committed a sin unto death (1Jn 5:16,17). The result is that every opportunity to live for and serve God will have been lost; by death or other default life consequences. On December 28, 1968, I faced a choice to either stop my defection from faith or suffer the worst consequence – lose my life in war. I chose life in Christ. I never looked back. Lord, I come with gratitude in my heart for your long-suffering with me.

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* Draper Jr, James T. HEBREWS, The life that pleases God. Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, 1976), Pg. 276-282

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See also on this blog: Window of Opportunity – https://theprayersentry.com/2023/03/23/window-of-opportunity/

Total Access

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND NATION:

Trust the magnificent work of Christ for access to God (Heb 10:21,22). #TotalAccess #NoBarriers #PardonFromSin

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Jesus, our High Priest, is not the “rule keeper“. He is the one who “rules over the house of God.“ He is the one who has introduced grace and mercy into the house of God. This is the basis of man’s ability to enter into God‘s presence.

Christ offers cleansing from sin, clearing the way for a pure heart to come before God. Further, men may come with their consciences cleared of guilt by Christ’s very own blood sacrifice. Men may be, once and for all, pardoned from all sin and made fit to enter into a relationship with God.

Lord, you have removed every barrier to my eternal access to holiness.

Open Door To God

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND NATION:

Enter into an intimate personal walk and relationship with God (Heb 10:19,20). #OpenDoorToGod #EnterIntoGod’sPresence

Christ’s body torn, opens the way for us

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The author of Hebrews is rounding the last turn and is making a sprint for the finish line in his long discussion of Christ, the superior sacrifice for sin (Chs 8–10). All that has been said in these chapters find their conclusion in these last few verses (vv19–39). “And so, dear brothers and sisters…“

Jesus has, by his own blood sacrifice cleared the way, opened the door, pioneered the trail for us, into the Most Holy Place, the very presence of God. Having done so, he turns and beckons us to follow him into that Most Holy Place. Follow him into that personal relationship with God. The invitation is to every man and woman, to enter into that intimate relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; into fellowship with God.

O Lord, it is personal for me. I am all in. I feel the warm embrace of that most Holy relationship.

Blessed Forgetfulness

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND NATION:

Lean into God‘s heart of forgetfulness of sin (Hebrews 10:15–18). #God’sSeaOfForgetfulness #NomoreRemembranceOfSin

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit all give witness to the New (and amazing) Covenant. When man invites Christ into his life, love for obedience to God’s will flows like water from an eternal spring. Man’s mind may now freely choose to do God‘s will.

Sins are forgiven and God, in his “blessed forgetfulness,“ deliberately chooses to remember man’s sin no more. As a result there is no more need to offer a single additional sacrifice. Jesus has forever canceled the debt of our sin. Lord, it is hard to grasp the depth of what this means, but we know we are redeemed and certain of our future.

Redemption’s Result

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND NATION:

Be assured your redemption is secure; Satan is defeated (Heb 10:12-14). #SatanIsDefeated #ChristIsVictorious #BelieversVictorious

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The one (and final) sacrifice for the cleansing of all sin, “perfects“ the believer’s position before God forever. The work of Christ at the cross is finished and for the believer, has the continuing result of cleansing from all sin, to this day and beyond.

All the enemies of Christ will one day become his footstool. The supreme enemy, Satan, will one day be forever vanquished and no longer rule on earth. Christ will stomp the Devil’s head and he will be forever defeated (Gen 3:14,15). This gives every believer the assurance of victory in their own lives (Rom 16:20). Lord, I look to Christ’s victory as my victory.

Living The Victory

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND NATION:

Live in a constant assurance of victory won in Christ (Heb 10:12–14). #VictoryInChrist #ChristIsOurVictory

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

When Jesus laid down his life and then took it up again he declared victory over the scourge of death (Jhn 10:17,18). Now he sits at the right hand of God and waits until that moment when every knee shall bow before him (Psm 110:1; Phi 2:9–11).

What is this promise to me? It is the promise of my victory also – not just in eternity but in my everyday life on earth. I live with the power and assurance of victory over sin, guilt and death. Lord, you give this old sentry the power to live an abundant life of joy and anticipation of a future hope.