May 30 – Of the House of Yahweh*

“Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later,  but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.” -  Hebrews 3:5-6 (ESV)

There are many pictures in the Bible to represent our relation to our God and also to His Son our Savior. The phrase “we are His house” uses the word ‘house’ in a way similar to ruling aristocratic houses. A close example: Queen Elizabeth II is in the line of The House of  Windsor.  Our verse today paints a mental picture of a household – of a family. It says that we are God's house. This doesn't mean a physical building. It includes the people who have been born spiritually into God’s family. It is also a picture of a household in which a father placed his son in charge of things. We are God's house, adopted as full sons and daughters into His family, and His Son Jesus Christ is in charge. Let's not forget that Jesus is watching over us, praying for us, mindful of our needs and meeting our needs each day.  This is the way it really is, let's rejoice in the knowledge that we are a part of this family and this household today. Let’s hold firmly to our confidence in that hope of the glory of God.

* Yahweh - Name of God

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July 25 – The Day To Choose

“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” -Joshua 24:15  (ESV)

The people of Israel are gathered together at Shechem, and important landmark from the time of Abraham. The people  have been led by Moses out of Egypt to Mt. Horeb also called Sinai. They receive the law from God. They build the Tent of Meeting, a working model of the Temple of God. God has helped them to defeat the godless nations in the land. But they must complete the possession of it.  God now leaves it to each tribe to possess their inheritance. They must avoid co-mingling with these people. Are they up to it?  Joshua challenges them to choose whom they will serve because that choice will have everything to do with their success in possessing the promised land.  Is it to be the Lord, or is He evil in their eyes?  Will it be the false gods their fathers served in Egypt or the gods of the pagan tribes of the land they were possessing?  The challenge is Joshua’s testimony.  For him and his household they chose to serve the Lord God.  Is that our choice too?  Many idols detract us today. Who do we choose to serve today? Let’s choose Joshua’s Lord God and serve Him. 

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February 26 – We Have A Place Made Ready

“In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”  John 14:2-3 (ESV)
“Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.”  Hebrews 11:16 (ESV)

It was their last night and Passover meal together and Jesus was preparing his disciples for the sad news that He was going to return to His Father in heaven.  He tells them He is going where they cannot follow.  Jesus then tells them to not be troubled but to understand finally who He is – one with the Father. He gives them some comfort by telling them that while he will be leaving them, he is going to prepare a place for them.  He’s coming back. He will take them to be with Him.  The excitement we have is that these promises are for us as well.  Jesus offers a prayer to His Father, for his disciples and for those of us who have believed in Jesus upon hearing the words carried on by the disciples, the words written through the inspiration of Holy Spirit so we have them in the Bible. (John 17:20 ESV)  Our second promise is from the letter to the Hebrew believers and confirms that God has already prepared a city for those who believe. He is our God and we give Him the glory He deserves.  Let’s start doing that today. 

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January 20 – We As God's Dwelling Place

“...but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.”  Hebrews 3:6  (ESV)

Our selected verse today draws a picture of us who believe in Jesus as being the house of God here in this world.  When we believe in Him we become children of God and we open ourselves for God to live in us.  Our verse today reminds us that Jesus the Son of God also lives in us and is a very important aspect of our life.  A few days ago we learned of the perfect peace that God gives to us if we remain steadfast in Christ in the presence of our minds.  A promise given that we enjoy when we follow the conditions necessary to enjoy the promise.  Today our promise is realized as we hold tightly on to our confidence and claim our hope that we are a house where Jesus dwells.  Yes, Jesus is a part of our Christian lives.  We should recognize that He is not just up there  in heaven.  He is with us in our lives.  Let's open our hearts every day to experience His presence as our Lord.  If we do, we'll  experience that He is faithful as our verse says.  

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May 29 – The Way It Really Is

“But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.”  Hebrews 3:6 (NIV)

There are many pictures in the Bible to represent our relation to our God and also to His Son our Savior.  Our verse today draws a mental picture of a household – of a family. It says that we are God's house. This doesn't mean just a building. It includes the people who live there. It is a picture of a household in which a father has placed his son in charge of things. We are God's house, His family, and His Son Jesus Christ is in charge. Let's not forget that Jesus is watching over us, praying for us, mindful of our needs and meeting our needs each day.  This is the way it really is, let's rejoice in the knowledge that we are a part of this family and this household today.