What’s an ideal gift exchange?
Have you taken turns to draw names from a hat?
Did you keep a Christmas gift secret?
Six children drew names for an exciting gift exchange that took place in our home after the Christmas Eve church program each year. We took special time to memorize a Bible verse and songs that would be performed. Gifts waited for us under the tree. As the family extended and grew over time, emphasis on
honoring Christ continued. The birth of our Savior who brings everlasting
hope to the world is what we want to
pass on for every generation, everywhere, to celebrate! The faith is a vital necessity for life. I draw pictures and write about it to let you know how important Jesus is to me. He wants you to have heaven, too.
Imagine you’ve received a gift which could never be depleted, though it could be refused. Would you:
- keep or return it?
- enjoy or ignore it?
- hide or share it?
Do you want a taste of Heaven here and now?
Perhaps you’ve received the gift of faith in Holy Baptism. If not,
- are you wondering how, why and what is faith?
- do you realize faith gives ability to see, hear, touch and speak with God?
- have you heard faith reveals the very essence of who our Creator is?
- are you interested in receiving the comfort faith in Jesus brings?
- are you curious about the other side of death’s portal?
God’s loving gift of faith and eternity is free for all people.
In Hebrews, Jesus is described as the Mediator, the center between the God the Father and us. Eventually, He’ll be back to complete every promise made in The Word. For a while, the Father is patiently wanting all people to trust the Son of God was born as son of man to suffer, die, be buried, rise from the grave and ascend to heaven where he prepares a place for us to live forever with Him. The faith is powered by Scripture and driven by the Holy Spirit who turns us toward Jesus who suffered when tempted, yet did not sin. He became the sacrifice that cleanses us from sin and is able to help us when we are tempted. We fail—He never does. Mercy and forgiveness is in believing He’s redeemed us from sin, the power of the devil, death and hell. Pure, peaceful paradise is restored in the victory of Christ who’s love undoes what happened because of sin.
For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me. Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:10-18
Hebrews 4:16
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| 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 ESV |
Access to The Father in heaven is made available through His Supreme Son Jesus.
We’re born in sin, so it’s by grace we receive the cleansing faith as a gift; it’s not a decision or earned. The Holy Spirit creates the faith in us and gives growth. The Word shows our need to consistently pray for forgiveness of our junk. The faith always receives Jesus’s constant mercy and peace. The junk-for-mercy exchange means that by faith, we’re not getting what we deserve for wrongs we do and good we lack; instead, we please God and our talents are acceptable to Him! Mercy also covers impure thoughts, transforms them into a clean conscience, and even cleanses impurity we’re unaware of. Trading death and punishment for an undeserved reward of a blissful everlasting life, doesn’t make sense in human terms. Truth is clarified by the faith received in Holy Baptism to believe God’s consoling Word. We do pray for those who hurt us, yet on our part, retaliation is unnecessary. We take our needs to the Lord who is in control, handling everything by grace for now. Eventually, when the Father runs out of patience or the time is right for Jesus to return, all will see His full glory and evil will be destroyed forever.
But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he
sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his
enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single
offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Hebrews 10:12-14
Hebrews 10:17
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| He concludes, I’ll forever wipe the slate clean of their sins. Hebrews 10:17 MSG |
The blood of Jesus cleanses us and fill us with confidence to come to God with boldness.
Even before sin entered the world, God knew us intimately and planned for the dirt of sin to be removed by blood and gave up His Own for us.
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:19-25
It is finished. Our debt for sin is canceled and no longer a factor between us and God. Trusting God’s love is ours, we’re free to forgive each other and worship together. God wants all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. He patiently waits to return because He wants more people to receive the Gospel. He would rather save than destroy.
Warning: do not shrink back from the faith.
We can’t generate anything good in the sight of God without the faith He provides. Whoever neglects the good gifts of Jesus in deliberate contempt for
the Gospel, insults the Spirit of Grace. If the blood isn’t a blessing, it’s a curse. God destroys the one who’s been given the faith, yet
chooses to leave it and separate himself/herself from the Son of God. Wrath falls on
any opposition that would keep us apart from the love of His Son. God
brings vengeance on those who reject His Son. He makes
this judgement which is a fearful thing. As believers, we remind ourselves we are sinful and can never earn perfection on this earth; we need God’s mercy. There’s no forgiveness for unbelievers.
But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back,
my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Hebrews 10:32-39
Hebrews 11:1
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| Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 ESV |
The faith given for us is certain of salvation.
In this world, the Devil is kept on a leash while he wants to steal our joy. He tempts us to
- ignore desires and needs of other people
- selfishly look at ourselves, others, or things as gods
- reject and let go of the true faith so to end up joining him in hell
By promises of God, the substance and power of the Holy Spirit’s gift of faith are for us to lean into and lead us forward through the shadows. Assured Jesus is coming again, we pay close attention to what we’ve heard—not drifting away or neglecting opportunities. Free to worship at a place where we hear exactly what Jesus is saying, we, also, may taste what he supplies for us. Jesus, the founder and perfecter of faith has a lot to say about saving us from hell while He lovingly prepares a place for us in heaven. Do you ever wonder, “How can I be right with God? Is there something I must do?”
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6
Daily renewal of the Holy Spirit works exactly as the Mediator calls us to keep calm and carry on with the good we do for others. The faith’s gift of repentance keeps us turned toward Jesus. In Christ, we need not worry about our own doing to be saved. The resurrected and ascended Christ has done it all. He is the good Lord who saves. He finished the essential work for us!
Hebrews 13:17
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| Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over
your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this
with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to
you. Hebrews 13:17 ESV |
We can’t see into each other’s hearts.
It’s always an excellent idea to pray for and encourage each other. Every single one of us sins, yet Christian joy can’t be wrecked. The beautiful privilege our pastors and all members of the Church have is to repentantly go before the throne of grace—directly to Jesus with all our questions, troubles, needs, regrets and sorrows! Being equipped in God’s will, by faith, to please Him is a huge benefit. Prayer—for self, those who are easy to love, and all people who aren’t—is priority. As though you were in their shoes, remember prisoners; also, those who are mistreated and their property taken from them. By faith, we’re free to ask people to pray and receive all kinds of encouragement believers wish to offer. Helping each other, without making anyone feel bad or weak, is God’s will for us to give and receive the very Light of Christ. We can’t earn salvation or become perfect, yet by faith we can share the Truth of Jesus who paid the penalty for our sin.
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:2
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6
Usually we are thinking we know exactly how things will go; yet, sometimes we’re proven wrong. God’s purpose for us and those in our lives is higher than any plan we can dream up. God is our faithful refuge. He protects, supplies every need and we can count on His promises. Unlimited access to pray is like a warm blanket and a soft, quiet place to rest. Embraced by arms that were spread wide on the cross, we’re dearly held by scarred hands of the only One who compassionately sees within each and every heart. Faith hopes and functions confidently in communion with the Risen Christ’s life and sacrificial love for everyone.
Sometimes it’s lonely in the shadows of this temporary worldly life. By faith, Jesus walks us all the way to our future home in heaven. Trusting, we encourage one another to, also, rest in His peace.
Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner. Hebrews 13:18-19
The Holy Spirit brings belief for us.
The Word of God spoke all of creation into existence; then, for the joy before Him, uncomplaining, offered Himself to be shamed and murdered to earn our salvation for us. As baptized believers, we are His brothers and sisters made holy. Our Father in Heaven sees us through Jesus. With no human strength, reason or opinion added or taken away from the pure Word—Jesus is the final authority on everything. God strengthens and sustains us with the very body and blood of Christ. Our Substitute is always praying for us, providing grace for life now and everlasting.
God’s promised plan will be ultimately revealed when He returns to separate us from His enemies—those who reject Him. Thankfully, our Savior heals us as we focus forward. He’ll raise our bodies from the dead—wipe out every evil, pain, sorrow and tear—keep and bless us forever. We’re privileged to encourage and share the Gospel of His loving faithfulness given for us. Jesus is for everyone. He is also for you. Beyond what is humanly reasonable, all glory belonging to God is ours by His faithfulness to us!
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Sing it!
1) Since our great high priest, Christ Jesus,
bears the name above all names,
reigning Son of God, surpassing
other titles, powers, and claims—
since to heaven our Lord has passed,
let us hold our witness fast!
2) Since we have a priest who suffered,
knowing weakness, tears, and pain,
who, like us, was tried and tempted,
unlike us, without a stain—
since he shared our lowly place,
let us boldly seek his grace!
3) Sacrifice and suffering over,
now he sits at God’s right hand
crowned with praise, no more an outcast,
his pre-eminence long-planned;
such a great high priest we have,
strong to help, supreme to save!
4) Love’s example, hope’s attraction,
faith’s beginning and its end,
pioneer of our salvation,
mighty advocate and friend,
Jesus, high in glory raised,
our ascended Lord be praised!
© Christopher Idle/Jubilate Hymns Ltd
included in Lutheran Service Book (LSB 529)
