Hebrews 6:7-8

Hebrews 6:7-8 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

Genesis 1:27-28 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

God created the earth for mankind. He mandated mankind to be fruitful, to increase in number, to fill the earth, and to subdue it. We have been fruitful, we have increased in number, we have subdued the earth, and we are destroying it. Rather than be at peace with God and his place for our dwelling, we have attempted to be as He is, and we are now in the process of destroying the animals, the fish, the birds, and the natural resources. We are destroying the only habitat for life that we can detect anywhere in the universe. Why? Uncontrolled self is sin, and it is like cancer; sin eventually destroys the life it depends upon, devouring that which allowed it to exist. Sadly, there is no end, no resting place, for the self. Self is like a toddler playing with other young children: the toddler not only wants his toy but demands the toys of others. Sin keeps demanding, keeps devouring, keeps moving. The American lifestyle illustrates the uncontrollable self: we want bigger, better, and more of everything. Even some Christians come to believe the blessings of God equate to bigger, better, and more things, rather than perfect peace with God and an intimate, satisfying relationship with him that leads to obedience to his will and service to others.

God sends the blessings of rain on the good and the evil, upon those who know God and those who do not. God intends to bless people who are made in his image, to bless their lands and their lives. However, sin marred man's image. He no longer remains in God's perfect image because he builds his own image of distorted passions and worldly desires. But God still sends his goodness on the earth in the form of refreshing rain. He still blesses man, even his enemies, with an environment that can produce life. However imperfect, abundant life still exists on this earth. But God has a better plan for his people. He desires to establish the kingdom of God within each person, a kingdom that will not end. He blesses the "born again" with his Spirit as they produce the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5: love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. God blesses and protects the soil of the "born again," producing much fruit: tenfold, a hundredfold, and more.

IN CHRIST we are no longer bound to this earth, tied to its destiny and judgment. As aliens, new creatures IN CHRIST, SET APART for God's purposes, we avoid the earthly deception that acquiring more things leads to peace. We do not settle down and make this world our final home. We pass through this earthly existence with God's peace in our hearts and a desire to obey him. We are not on a journey to accumulate as much as we can; our purpose is to live for God's glory and to share our hope with others. However, if we do not dedicate our hearts fully to God's purposes, we will eventually fall back into the meaningless and futile journey of self; we will look and act like the world and neglect our souls. But praise God, He has freed us from the sins of the flesh: we are hid with Christ in God. We are not like those with no hope of eternal life; we are the beloved children of God, adopted into his family through faith in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection. We live HIS LIFE, not ours. Consequently, rejoice that your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life and that God sends the rain upon us in in the form of the Spirit, making the soil of our lives useful to those for whom it is farmed. As we take up the cross and follow the Lord, we continually receive the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit along with his blessings of peace, contentment, and hope for the future. We rejoice with great joy because we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

Hebrews 6:4-6

Hebrews 6:4-6 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

I like how the Living Bible interprets the above scripture: "There is no use trying to bring you back to the Lord again if you have once understood the Good News and tasted for yourself the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, and know how good the Word of God is, and felt the mighty powers of the world to come and then have turned against God. You cannot bring yourself to repent again if you have nailed the Son of God to the cross again by rejecting him, holding him up to mocking and to public shame."

The author of Hebrews warns us not to crucify Jesus anew in our lives. Otherwise, we should not to walk away from Jesus by claiming He is not real in our lives and saying, "As far as I am concerned you are dead." This is crucifying Jesus Christ anew. The world crucified him the first time. By killing Jesus, they hoped to rid the world of him and his influence. When they buried him, they believed He was gone for good, but Jesus rose again, making all who trust in him new creatures. But after we have tasted of his new life, if we say we don't believe in him, if we choose to kill him the second time, how can we be saved? No man can come to God outside of Christ because He is the door to salvation and eternal life. If we destroy the door, we eliminate our entrance into God's kingdom. Therefore, the author warns, do not kill Christ, for He is the only way to eternity with God. We must trust in him, endure whether we are discouraged or on the mountaintop, endure to the end regardless of the vicissitudes in our lives. The Bible says, If we ENDURE, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us.

When people discuss these scriptures and enduring to the end, immature believers sometimes conclude that they have committed the unforgivable act of sinning against the Holy Spirit. When they feel distant or far from God, they lack trust and doubt God's presence or work in their lives. Disappointments or tragedies may cause people to question God. Maybe they think the attractions of the world or an addiction caused them to disgrace their birthright as new creatures in Christ Jesus, children of the Most High. They lack confidence to begin anew, asking for forgiveness and mercy. These times of waywardness, doubt, and even rejection of God's intimate presence in our lives sometimes lead us to believe we have crucified Jesus afresh. But even our sorrow or despair about our disbelief or lack of spirituality indicates the Spirit is still working in our souls. God knows the intents and purposes of our hearts, and He sends the Spirit to woo us back home, to accept the reality of God in our lives. If wooing doesn't bring us closer to him, He may discipline us or allow difficult circumstances to remind us we are his children.

I reassure you this morning, as the author of Hebrews quickly assured his readers, that we are not in danger of crucifying Jesus Christ again: Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case — things that accompany salvation. (vs 9) I am confident God will produce good fruit in us because we are all his children, eternally safe IN CHRIST. If you had crucified Christ in your life, you would not be reading this breakfast. If you had any inkling of casting Christ from your life, putting him to death the second time, you would show no concern about spiritual matters. Biblical considerations would mean nothing to a person outside of Jesus and his mercy. As God's child, you will endure to the end, relying upon the loving grace of God. My dad always said, "Hang onto Jesus no matter what. He will never let you down." Fellow breakfast companions, you might be greatly disappointed today, even feel defeated by a turn of events in your life, but rejoice because YOUR LIFE RESIDES IN CHRIST. He has won your battles and will reward you with life eternal as you trust in him. Yes, you may feel down or defeated today, but Christ provides life for you that will never end. This life rests IN CHRIST. Rejoice, for this world is not your home. Rejoice, for He has given you another day to live for him. Rejoice, for the giants in the land WILL NEVER DEFEAT YOU as you walk by faith and not by sight. Even death cannot defeat you, for Jesus conquered death. Enter into God's rest by faith, confident you are a child of the living God, not one who has crucified Jesus afresh. Amen!

Hebrews 5:11-14 & 1-3

Hebrews 5:11-14 & 1-3 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.

Sadly, some experienced Christians remain in need of milk, not solid food. Their lives are often indistinguishable from the world, producing bitter fruit: fleshly and unloving thoughts, actions, and interactions. They constantly need the first works of repentance: faith in God, instruction about baptisms, receiving the Spirit, and knowledge about God's plan for the future to keep them on the straight and narrow. Such Christians seem immature, constantly needing support rather than supporting others. They depend upon good teachers, captivating authors, and empathetic Christian friends to keep the fire of Christ aglow in their lives. They often experience Christianity vicariously through someone else's testimony or through inspiring books, and other people's knowledge of Christ. Although experienced believers, they still function as newborn Christians, unable to depend wholly upon Christ' work within them. Therefore, they easily become discouraged and fall into sin when faced with temptation. They need continued prayer and support just to maintain the semblance of a Christian walk and fail to grow in their faith or to share their faith with unbelievers. Oftentimes unsaved family and friends identify them as one of their own, not part of the living church of Christ, for their activities tend to be fleshly and self-serving without evidence of God's Spirit in their lives.

The writer of Hebrews does not negate our need for others as members of the body of Christ, for we all require prayer and support. Today's verses are for people who should have matured into stalwart people of faith who offer strength and encouragement to others rather than functioning as babies themselves. Seasoned believers try to remove themselves from the world; they do not live in doubt, questioning their faith and wondering whether God is with them or not. Shallow people become clouds without rain, people lacking spiritual strength and constantly needing help and supervision. They drink milk when they should seek spiritual meat. Some of us have been in the church many years while others have believed for a very short time. Whatever our level of growth, we all need some milk in our lives, reminders of the beginning works. But experienced Christians rely on meat for strong spiritual muscles, and that meat includes obeying the Lord and living in the Spirit by accepting our place in the household of God. Children of God do good works that glorify God; they know who they are in Christ. They possess confidence in the Lord's work and not their own. Eating meat is casting out every contrary spirit within or without that hinders our relationship with God. Spiritual growth requires hearing the voice of the Lord confirming our relationship with him. Maturity in Christ results in confidence in Christ and hope for the future as we growth in faith and serve others. Desiring meat means desiring a close walk with Christ and wanting to be like He is, full of grace and love for others.

How many of us still try to serve God through the dead letter of the Law rather than the living Holy Spirit? Such a mindset lacks faith in Christ and hope in the power of the Spirit to make us overcomers. Trying to grow spiritually through our human efforts leads to failure and condemnation. Spirit-driven believers listen to God's voice and follow his leading, allowing him to remove the dead letter from our thinking and to write the living WORD in our hearts and minds. To grow in Christ, we must no longer live according to our will, but by seeking God's will. A strong believer does not question God's leading or become fearful and dismayed by difficult circumstances, knowing that God's will produces holy fruit for his sake. A fully committed walk leads to a righteous life, for we live God's life, not ours. The world might not see your actions as godly or validate your behavior, but if God asks you to do something or be somewhere, then it is right and will result in spiritual growth and a harvest of the fruit of the Spirit. Others will detect love in your actions as you willingly serve rather that wanting to be served. As you sacrifice your life for Christ, the Spirit will lead, comfort, and teach you. A life that glorifies God will turn the world upside down, for it is a life of faith and substance, a life of meat not milk, a life of maturity not selfish childishness. Walk in Christ today, hear and obey his voice, and He will satisfy your longing soul in green pastures.

Hebrews 5:7-10

Hebrews 5:7-10 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

How fervent are our prayers? How often do we offer up such prayers? Have our prayers been diluted by the rationality of our minds because we say as some do that things continue as they have in the past; therefore, why should we pray passionately, with undo fervor? Jesus prayed with intense, visceral passion. He understood his mission; He knew his life would end violently. He realized that the price He would pay for sin was his life. His prayer in the garden was so physical and intense that he sweat blood. Many times in scriptures we find Jesus prayed long and passionately. In the garden his disciples failed Jesus by falling asleep rather than praying. Perhaps they thought their prayers would not help Jesus that much, and feeling no real need to pray for themselves, they fell asleep. They really did not understand Jesus was fighting against the flesh and the devil himself, for the devil desired to thwart the plan of God by aborting God's mission for Jesus. Jesus desired the disciples to pray that night, for He knew what was coming. He wanted them to pray in preparation for the immediate future, but the disciples did not see the urgency or need to pray. They fell asleep; consequently, they were not ready for the events of that night.

If Jesus prayed fervently, so should we. We deceive ourselves if we think our prayers should not be fervent. We also deceive ourselves if we think the cares and entertainments of the world should hold a bigger place in our lives than our prayer life, our daily communion with God. If we live primarily for the world and all it offers, how can we expect God to validate such worldliness with quick answers to our often silent prayers? How often do we come fervently before the Lord, praying prostrate before his face? Have our fleshly pursuits and desires so gripped our souls that we lack time for God? Are our prayers brief whispers or are they the sincere cries of our hearts? People in the midst of a life-threatening flood or in a bloody foxhole of death cry out loudly to the Lord. Even unbelievers pray earnestly when caught in horrendous danger. Christians should pray in faith believing, for we are strangers and aliens in this hostile land in need of God's grace, guidance, and protection. As people in foxholes and floods, we need deliverance. We should not call the world, this poison patch existence that attempts to kill our faith, our home, our abiding place.

We read in Hebrews that Jesus offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears. Pentecostals and even mainline Christians used to have regular prayer sessions where they followed Christ's example. Dedicated children of God offered up prayers with loud cries, sometimes with joy and often in tears to the One who saved them and gave them new life. God answered their petitions, delivered them from sin, healed their bodies, and sometimes He said, not now. Today, even in many pentecostal meetings, that kind of fervent prayer might disturb some of the participants. They might wonder why people were so emotional or even question the theology of the passionate petitioners. Why pray with so much intensity when God hears our very thoughts? But we know in the scriptures JESUS ALWAYS DID THE WILL OF THE FATHER, ALWAYS HEARD THE VOICE OF GOD, and He prayed fervently, earnestly. He petitioned God loudly. As God's beloved children, should there not be times when we petition him with the passion of Christ? Should we not rejoice in the Lord as Paul suggested, maybe shouting God's praises as loudly as we extol the football hero? Our hands should clap louder in praise of our Lord than for movie stars and famous singers. Maybe at times we should abandon our well-controlled prayers and from our innermost beings allow the Holy Spirit to cry out to the Father. Just maybe, we should pray and live as Christ prayed and lived. Let's give it a try.

Hebrews 5:1-6

Hebrews 5:1-6 Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

The book of Hebrews establishes Christ as the only way to God, and one of the proofs offered of his sufficiency is that He is our high priest. The author of Hebrews first talks about high priests in general, saying they are selected from among other men and then appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. God is the one who calls these priests, and no one can decide for himself to become a high priest. Since as humans the priests themselves are but weak individuals, they offer sacrifices for their own sins as well as the sins of those they represent. As with other high priests, Christ did not appoint himself, but He was chosen by God and acknowledged as his Son on various occasions such as on the Mt. of Transfiguration where a cloud envelopes them and they hear a voice saying, This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him! (Matthew 17:5). Christ differs greatly from previous high priests because of his divine authority and because even though He faced the temptations known to man, He lived a sinless life, making him worthy of paying the price for our sins as the perfect Lamb of God.

The author of Hebrews goes on to establish that Christ is a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. As students of the Old Testament, Christ's followers would recognize this reference to Abraham paying homage to Melchizedek and that the Bible alluded to his right to be a priest and that his priesthood was eternal. If Christ followed his line, then He was to receive honor forever, for his kingdom of grace and love would never end. This was important because some believers were going back to old ways of worship and forsaking their worship of Christ as Lord of all. Some were even worshipping angels, created beings, rather than the creator of all things, Christ Jesus, who was from the beginning and would ever be seated with the Father in heavenly places making intercession for our sins as the one true High Priest. Throughout Hebrews, we read numerous references to the Old Testament because the author knew that this letter to wayward believers would be more convincing and authoritative to Jews with these passages included.

Today, it is just as important that we Christians recognize Christ as the only way to the Father, the only pure sacrifice for our sins, and the High Priest chosen by God to meet our needs and to hear our confessions of sin and unrighteousness. We may not worship angels, although we do see some of this in new age philosophies, but we turn to other things that take a prominent place in our lives. Some Christians seek worldly possessions and corrupt behaviors to bring us peace, but these are futile activities, for we become more in bondage to the world and the flesh and even less free. Others may forsake the world, but rather than turning directly to God through Christ, they elevate mere men or woman to high places and follow after them. I once heard a well-know charismatic preacher say that because people lift up men rather than God, He allows them to have feet of clay or an Achilles Heel, some weakness that will eventually mar their work and point to their humanness. Ironically this pastor later fell into deception, showing the prophetic aspect of his words. God has made it clear in numerous places that Christ is the way, the truth, the light, and the life. He alone frees us from the pit of sin and sets our feet on the right path. He pleads our case before the Father and presents us holy and righteous before the throne. Therefore, as we have already read, we can approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16).

As with the Hebrew believers, we all must see the truth and turn from our wayward ways, accepting Christ as Lord and Savior and our true High Priest, the one who makes us holy and pure, free from sin, and bound for our eternal home in heaven. When we lift up Jesus in our lives and honor him with our words and deeds, we find that which we seek: rest in the finished work of Christ on the cross and victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil. Christ is the one who promised never to leave us or to forsake us, and He keeps his promises. He does not reject us when we fail but offers redemption and forgiveness through his shed blood. Today, hearken to the voice of the Lord as He warns you not to look for your peace in things that do not satisfy and not to try to find hope in the foolishness of earthly ways of thinking. Look to Jesus, little children, look to the One who loves you with an everlasting love. You will find rest, peace, and deliverance in him and He will use you to bring the "good news" of Christ to those in need.

Hebrews 4:12-16

Hebrews 4:12-16 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 2:1-3 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?

God's words are true and shall never pass away. Jesus, THE WORD, came to reveal God and his righteousness. He always did the will of the Father, always spoke his words, for He is the Word. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the author of Hebrews reveals that God's word is living and active. Otherwise, his word still permeates this world, exposing every situation to God. Nothing is hid from God's presence; He knows everything man has done or thought. John 1 says that his light shines in darkness, but man does not understand and fails to perceive He is there. Man tends to believe he can hide his evil actions and thinking from God, but he cannot. Someday every activity and thought will be brought forward into the light for all to see, unless they have been dealt with by Jesus Christ's redemptive blood. How can any of us escape our just punishment if we ignore such a great salvation. God will deal with sinners one way or another, either with the blood of Jesus, by receiving God's grace and mercy, or with the punishment of eternal death, absence from God's presence. Sin will not stand in the presence of God, but He paid the price for our sins through the death and resurrection of his son, Christ Jesus.

God's living, active Word is Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. God's Word judges every thought and intent of our hearts. Our actions and words might seem supportive and positive, but God knows the dispositions and intents of our hearts. We might do and say the right things, but if our underlying spirits remain out of sync with God's mercy and love, He knows. Let us say, a woman feels totally frustrated with her child or her husband, yet she does a good job of hiding her anger under the umbrella of good words and positive actions. God will judge the secret attitude of her heart if she does not repent. He judges hypocrisy, the duplicitousness of her heart. He judges anything other than truly genuine love that expresses his mercy. Jesus exemplifies God's love, for while we were yet sinners, He died for us. I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

God divides soul and spirit, thoughts and attitudes. He knows the essence, the motivation, of everything we think, say, and do. Even if a man could live a whole lifetime with just one fleeting aberrant sexual thought of unfaithfulness to his wife, without redemption that one wrong thought would come before God at the judgment seat as if it lived for a thousand years. A deceitful and adulterous thought will exist as a lifetime event in the eyes of a righteous God. God does not allow any sin in his presence without judgment. All that is unloving, unfaithful, and uncaring must be covered with Christ's blood, for such sin can never enter into God's eternal domain. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Even attitudes and actions that we don't perceive as sin are judged by God if they are not like him. We cannot harbor anger and resentment towards the poor or the aliens in our midst because God's word instructs us to help the poor and to accept the aliens. We might think we have based our attitudes on solid reasoning, rational thinking, but if our spirits lack love and concern for others, we harbor a spirit that God will judge unless we seek his mercy.

How can we escape God's judgment and wrath if He judges every attitude, thought, and intent of our hearts? We have a God who is slow to anger and quick to forgive; we have a high priest, even Jesus Christ, constantly pleading our case before the Father. Jesus alone paid the price for our sins and made a way for our redemption and eternal safety with the Father. Through his sacrifice, He makes right even those things that we do not recognize as sin. He makes us like the Father: righteous and holy. Therefore, Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. We read in 1 John that as we walk in the light of his love, we have fellowship with others, and Christ's blood cleanses us from all sin. Today, out of love toward him, let us live for the glory of the One who has covered us with his blood and brought us into his family. He deserves our very best.

Hebrews 4:3-11

Hebrews 4:3-11 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’” And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “And on the seventh day God rested from all his work.” And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.” It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience. Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.

When God accomplished his creation and declared it "very good," He then entered into rest. But because of disobedience and the serpent's deceitfulness, mankind failed to enter into this rest with God. Discontented with God's finished work, Adam and Eve heeded the devil's words, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” THEY QUESTIONED WHETHER GOD REALLY SAID THEY MUST REST IN HIS SUFFICIENCY. WASN'T THERE MORE WORK TO DO SUCH AS EATING FROM THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE? THEY REASONED THE WORK WAS NOT REALLY COMPLETE UNTIL THEY KNEW WHAT GOD KNOWS. So man continued in attempts to be as God, more powerful, more authoritative. From that day on, man has worked to exalt himself, to make himself as God, wiser and better. He has not rested from his labor, and strives to know the essence of all things, even creation. Rather than resting in God's work, mankind strives TO KNOW. As a result people have taken God's good creation and made it very bad. Since Cain slew Abel, man has murdered a million times over. Man's failure to rest in God and his desire to create outside of God's plan has caused continuous calamity on the earth. Our current desire for infinite growth, constant betterment, will eventually denude the Earth of its natural resources. We don't need others to destroy us; we are destroying ourselves, our "Blue Earth," the only viable, living planet we can detect anywhere in the universe. We are like an autoimmune disease, cannibalizing ourselves. Our sinful dissatisfaction with God and his creation has brought on our own demise.

Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today. Today is the day of rest if you will enter in by faith. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts (with unbelief). There is a Sabbath-rest for the people of God, a place where we reside in his finished work, a place where we cease from our own works of making things better. This place of rest comes through Jesus Christ. In him we are new creations, "Born again" children of God. Because God has prepared a place of rest for us in his presence, we can enter in by faith. In and through Jesus Christ, we proclaim God's good works and not ours; we accept his finished work and not our works. When Jesus said it is finished on the cross, He accomplished our salvation, once and for all. As Christians, we don't add anything to Christ's finished work. As we accept his new creation in us, we know He has designed us to be sons and daughters of the Most High and through the Holy Spirit will continually perfect the work He has begun in us. Yes, we are imperfect in the flesh, but we hide ourselves in his work, in his perfection. This is a perfect salvation: in him we become new creatures, born of the blood of Christ and not of our works.

By not accepting God's plan as He designed it, Adam and Eve said creation was incomplete. They desired to go another step by eating of the tree of knowledge. The devil knew this action would cast them outside of God's finished work into their own work, their own way. Since that horrible fall, Earth and its inhabitants have been under the burden of sin and death. Therefore, God made all things new to provide an eternal day of rest. Christ' death and resurrection began the new creation, THE NEW DAY OF REST. The old creation passed away when Jesus paid for sin at the cross, and new life arose at his resurrection. Jesus, the creator of all things, gave life to the new creation, his life. We who are found in him are now alive evermore, under the pleasing eyes of the Almighty God. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. Disobedient children create their own reality by doing their own thing, following their own authority. The writer of Hebrews implores us not to continue in our own creation, but to fall under God's authority. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) My friend, come to Jesus, take his life as yours, and let your eternal soul rest in him.