Confident Approach

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  Hebrews 4:16

prayer Most of us confess that we find it difficult to draw near God in prayer –  much less in doing it confidently! 

I sometimes wonder if the words to the Santa Claus song "You better watch out.  You better not pout.  You better not cry I am telling you why"  haven’t spilled over and become our default thinking about God rather than the view expressed through this verse in Hebrews.

Though it has a jolly tune, the message is anything but inviting! 

Remember how it goes?

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People of the Book

What kind of a person are you?

Hebrews 2 opens with an exhortation to "pay more careful attention to what we have heard." 

What is it that we have heard? 

The writer says it is the message of a great salvation!  That great salvation is found through trust in the person and work of Jesus.

ist2_3176914_busy_momThe author has full confidence in the saving power of the message.  He knows it can safely steer the ship of our wandering souls if we do not ignore it or neglect it.   That message is contained in the progressive revelation of God in the Bible. 

In America it is difficult to get people’s attention about anything that matters much less the need to pay attention to God’s Word.

Our culture has developed the "cult of busyness."  We do not like to linger over a book and meditate on it day and night (Psalm 119).  It seems like a waste of time rather than a corrective for our misuse of time.

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A Divine Valentine

valentine1 A Valentine may play a love song for you but God sings you the sweetest love song in the universe.

The Lord your God will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet
you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.

Zeph. 3:17

A Valentine may give you flowers but God sent you the most beautiful flower of all.

 

         I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valley.

 

 Song of Solomon 2:1

A Valentine may take you out to dinner, but God has invited you to the most amazing feat ever given.


    Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!

Rev. 19:9

A Valentine may bring you chocolate but God provides you with
something even sweeter.


        How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Psalm 119:103

 A Valentine may be far away, but God is always with you.

     I am with you always.

Matthew 28:20

A Valentine may give you something, but God has given you everything.

 

          God gives us richly all things to enjoy.

 

I Timothy 6:17

      A Valentine may love you for a lifetime, but God loved you before you were born and will love you for all eternity.

Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love and with
lovingkindness I have drawn you.

Jeremiah 31:3