"Please do not depart from here, until I come back to Thee, and bring out my offering and lay it before Thee. And He said, "I will remain until you return."

Gideon, speaking with the Lord, was uncertain, fearful, probably hungry with doubt and discouragement all rolled in, yet in faith did not want the Lord to depart without bringing an offering to present to Him. Casting all other feelings aside, Gideon in faith displayed a heart of worship. We can glean a strong encouragement from the word of God here, that we ought to be a people of worship in the good and not so great times. We can count our blessings past, present and future, in faith, trusting that the lord is at work.

Pastor Russell

And Joseph said to his Father, "Not so my father, for this one is the first born. place your right hand on his head." But his father refused and said, I know, my son, I know........"

Often at our request or desire, may come the Father's refusal, or perhaps it's a reply to wait, or an okay, or worse yet an accommodation. I'm glad that the Father really knows best. His plans, His impeccable timing, His purposes and desired results, far outweigh our best thoughts and intents. Often not the desired answer we had hoped for, yet the quiet confidence of His love and best care for His beloved comes in the answer, I know, my child, I know. 

Pastor Russell

"Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, "Take these deeds, this sealed deed of purchase, and this open deed, and put them in an earthenware jar, that they may last for a long time."

Jeremiah had been informed by the Lord, that the children of Judah would be taken into captivity by the Babylonians for 70 years.  Ripped from their homes, marched 900 miles away to a strange land, away from everything that was familiar and comforting, the Lord assured the prophet and captives that they would indeed return to their homeland to rebuild and repopulate their land. The deeds put away for safe keeping, was the Lord's way of assurance that He indeed would bring the captive's home. The people in distress because of all the goings on, were told to make the best of the situation, trusting that God would bring them through the future years of uncertainty. Like we at times, going through the hard times, uncertainty, hurting or fearful, questioning Gods word and His faithfulness, ought to remember the unwavering faith of men like Jeremiah, who looked beyond the here and now, and looked to God and His promises.

Pastor Russell

"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."

Earlier in our study, we simply defined faith as a quiet confidence in God's word, and that He is able to work on our behalf in spite of unusual circumstances and consequences beyond our control. We come to Him believing His word, even when things seem impossible and the ramifications are unbelievably threatening. We believe that He is, and we obey His word, trusting He will accomplish what is right.

Pastor Russell

"Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward."

The Spirit has just reminded the readers of all they had previously gone through. With great joy, they had endured times of testing and tribulation, but now, their faith waivered under continued pressure. The encouragement then, as it is now, was to hold fast their (our) earlier confession of hope in Christ, knowing for He who promised is faithful. They went, as we do, through the testing, we stand only in Christ.

Pastor Russell

"Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful"

Circumstances and pressures beyond the believer's control had brought them to a place of retreating back to a place of turning from a walk of faith and trust in the Lord. The false safety of retreating back to fleshly normalcy in the world robbed the child of God all the spiritual fulness of blessing the Lord had for them. Here the admonishment "hold fast" the confession of hope, and resounding charge,  "He who promised is faithful" is more like a ships master to his beleaguered crew, on the stormy sea. He is faithful.

Pastor Russell

"how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

The Christians, harried by a bombardment of traditionalist, were in danger of being drawn back into a system of works rather than the grace of Jesus. No longer was His grace and mercy enough, but saddled by guilt and a conscience that brought accusation and condemnation, the Spirit reminds of how Christ was offered for us, His blood cleansing us from the lies of the world. Today, we may be tempted to forego His freedom and instead choosing with going through the motions, rather than the sweet communion He desires to have with us. Today, choose life in and with Christ.

Pastor Russell

"After those days says the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and I will write them upon their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be My people."

The writer of Hebrews quotes Jeremiah in regards to the people of Israel. Like most today, they were stubborn and set in their ways. Unfortunately, quite the opposite way of the Lord. We commented with heavy heart that so many today seem so opposed to the saving grace of Jesus, yet realizing that we cannot discount the work of the Holy Spirit who works in ways we cannot imagine, often speaking directly into the heart of those He reaches out too. Continue to share the love of Jesus, pray for those around you, and trust that the Lord loves more than we can think or imagine.

Pastor Russell

"Hence He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him since He lives to make intercession for them."

It's comforting for us to know that we have a Savior who is so attentive it seems He is just waiting for us to make a move towards Him. In this He is so swift to respond to those who draw near to Him. Not by good works or excellent behavior or what we give, do or attain, but simply by our turning to Him, that elicits a swift response. All along He is hoping and believing the best for those who are His, and as if you can imagine, God, making intercession on our behalf.

Pastor Russell

"Without father, without mother, without genealogy having neither beginning of days nor end of life but made like the Son of God he abides a priest perpetually."

As things are shaken up throughout the world, it's comforting to know we have the Son of God, Jesus, our great high priest who continues to watch over us. Uncertain times, mounting pressures like an impending volcanic eruption are quelled by Him as we abide in His presence. Even as things may escalate and blow up with resounding wave like ramifications, He's there to minister with comfort and strength. In all things, may we look to Him.

Pastor Russell

"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil,"

It goes without saying that we live in unprecedented times. For the past several years, Covid has been a dominant factor within many facets of our life. Not only how and when we do business, appropriate medical care and welfare, as well as so much more. The author of Hebrews, the Holy Spirit, seeks to reassure the reader of the hope that is found in Jesus Christ alone, the one we can trust in. He Himself is the anchor, bringing stability and keeping us on course, on target. Even for the staunchest believer, we all need reminder
of Gods faithfulness.

Pastor Russell

"And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer."

Revolutionary is the word of God for all who would receive and embrace its teachings. Simple, right-on point are its precepts. A template for life in Christ, being engaged in God's teachings, fellowship with one another and Him, communion around the table and the privilege of prayer, all point the way for the child of God. Press on in His word this year child of God.

Pastor Russell