Today’s Verse: Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; ~Hebrews 3:1 As a pastor, I am very cognizant of many members who look to me for encouragement to get them through a trial or other difficulty. It is a very daunting responsibility to realize that my example, my words, and my prayers make such a difference in someone’s life who is hanging by a thread. The Apostle Paul reminds us tha

Today’s Verse: By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. ~Hebrews 11:22 When a person says, “I make no bones about it,” what he means is, “I make no mistake.” It is a statement of absolute confidence. It is a statement that is fearless and having no doubt. It is a statement of assurance about a fact. The writer of Hebrews highlights one area of the faith of Joseph. He speaks about the fai

Today’s Verse: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ~Hebrews 12:1 I am a moderate runner. I enjoy the benefits of running. All serious runners know that any kind of running requires commitment, discipline, good eating, focus, and adequate rest. When running competitive races, it is imperative that a

Today’s Verse: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. ~Hebrews 11:33 How would God score your faith on a report card? Hebrews 11 is call God’s Hall of Faith, or God’s Westminster Abbey of Faith. It is the incredible account of the faith of men and women of the Bible. It inspires people like you and me what real faith can do. Without faith it is impossible to please God. In the absence of faith, God will never

Today’s Verse: By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. ~Hebrews 11:27 When I was a kid growing up, comic books advertised the power of x-ray glasses. These so called glasses would enable the user to see through curtains and coverings. This was a sham promotion used to generate sales. However, there was intrigue at the thought of being able to see what someone else could not see. Moses was a man who could se

Today’s Verse: By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. ~Hebrews 11:5 Of the many excellent Bible characters we have to look up to for a good example, Enoch will most certainly rank as one of the best ones to consider. Enoch is one of two men who never died a natural death but was taken up to Heaven by the Lord. Enoch was a man who live

Today’s Verse: Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. ~Hebrews 12:11 Parents who desire to see their children turn out right, understand the necessity of proper instruction and training. Part of this involves the chastening of a child. Chastening is the discipline of a child for the purpose of correcting bad behavior. The goal is to tea

Today’s Verse: Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) ~Hebrews 10:23 Many times, the storms and uncertainties of life can throw us off course in our walk with God. When this happens, we can become unsure of ourselves, become indecisive, and find ourselves withdrawing from serving the Lord and fellowshipping with His people. How do we overcome these challenges in our life? What do you do when the feeling to quit is st

Today’s Verse: Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. ~Hebrews 4:14 There are many names and designations given to the Lord Jesus Christ that represent His magnificent attributes. Beginning in Hebrews 3:1, Jesus is called our High Priest. As we consider the office of the Old Testament high priest, this ascription speaks volumes to us about the ongoing heavenly ministry that Jesus ha

Today’s Verse: Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. ~Hebrews 4:1 Shortstop is a baseball position that fills in the gap between 2nd and 3rd base. There have been several professional baseball players who have played this position and made great defensive plays by stopping a ball from going into the outfield or being the catalyst for many double plays. This morning, we want to consider the d

Today’s Verse: Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. ~Hebrews 13:13 The believers whom Paul wrote to in the Book of Hebrews were going through much suffering. They faced rejection from family and friends for converting to Christianity. They lost their jobs and homes. Many had been displaced and had to uproot and move to a different part of the Middle East. There was financial loss, ridicule, rejection, and discouragement. Paul offers a wor

Today’s Verse: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. ~Hebrews 12:2 With most things in life, we look for a best example to model. In the realm of sports, this is ever true. There are sports personalities who exemplify excellence, stamina, fortitude, and peak performance whom other athletes want to follow. Parents look to ot

Today’s Verse: Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. ~Hebrews 10:35 Have you ever gone through some items that you felt did not have any value or need, and as you were about to throw it out, someone said to you, “Don’t throw it away”? The believers Paul was writing to were having a tough time spiritually. Due to their spiritual immaturity and lack of discernment, these believers were being told false doctrine and encouraged to walk aw

Today’s Verse: Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: ~Hebrews 3:7-8 There is an English idiom that says, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” This means that getting used to the same thing can result in it becoming something that we lose interest in or enjoyment of. When I was in 3rd grade until 5th grade of elementary school, I made my own bag lunch every day.

Today’s Verse: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; ~Hebrews 1:11 A woman, after suffering many losses, went to a great doctor for sympathy. After being in his study for some time, she suddenly exclaimed, "I've got it! I've got it!" The surprised doctor immediately asked what she had gotten. Instead of answering directly, she pointed to a text over the mantelpiece, on which were the words "THOU REMAINEST," and said, "I see now t

Today’s Verse: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ~Hebrews 12:1 I am a moderate runner. I enjoy the benefits of running. All serious runners know that any kind of running requires commitment, discipline, good eating, focus, and adequate rest. When running competitive races, it is imperative that a

Today’s Verse: By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. ~Hebrews 11:27 One of the great heroes of faith is Moses. Moses represents the law that was given to Israel. From a secular viewpoint, Moses was well-educated, trained, and positioned for royal success. However, God had far superior plans for him. Moses is included in Hebrews 11 because he had a faith that was pleasing to God. "By faith he forsook Egypt

Today’s Verse: By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. ~Hebrews 11:4 Hebrews 11 is the great chapter on faith. Some have referred to this monumental chapter as “The Hall of Faith.” Others have referred to it as “The Westminster Abbey of Faith Heroes.” It is a chapter that definitely inspires us about the faith of Old Testament bel

Today’s Verse: And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. ~Hebrews 9:22 Hebrews 9 is a monumental chapter of Scripture that teaches us about the vital requirement of the shed blood of an innocent victim for the sinner. It gives authentication of the requirement and acceptance of the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ for every sinner. This morning, we consider the thought: “without the blood.” We see the antecedent.

Today’s Verse: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. ~Hebrews 7:24 One of the major themes of Hebrews is the eternality of our Lord Jesus Christ. As much as the Jews revered Abraham, Moses, and the long succession of the Aaronic priesthood, all of them were mortal men who lived and died. Our Lord Jesus Christ, by His own testimony, said, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore.” We see that Jesus is unceasi