Outbursts of Love
Hebrews 10:24
Jim Stephens
07-13-09

Scripture:

Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. (Hebrews 10:24 NLT)

What Blessed Assurance God's Word gives us in Hebrews chapter ten! Here is the assurance of Christ's complete and for-all-time sacrifice for our sin, the assurance of our forgiveness and acceptance in Christ, and the confident assurance of our privilege of entering the presence of our most Holy God - all because of the once-for-all sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us.

No more sacrifice for sin is needed - ever! We are free and privileged to make sacrifices of thanksgiving - always!

If I can stay out of the "religion mode" where I still think I'm trying with all my might to win God's love, my thankful heart will sometimes just "burst out" with love and good deeds. Not only will love and good deeds "burst out" in my life, but by my example I will encourage, exhort, and prompt "outbursts of love" in the lives of others around me.

Prayer:

Father, thanks for the assurance this morning of all that you have given me because of all that Jesus did for me. I ask for even more grace to leave religion out of it and think of ways to let "outbursts of love and good deeds" splash out of my life onto those around me. I want to experience such outbursts so I can be an example and an encouragement to others.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International

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Not Ashamed
Hebrews 11:16
Jim Stephens
07-14-09

Scripture:

But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a heavenly city for them. (Hebrews 11:16 NLT)

I don't know why this phrase caught my attention so strongly this morning - "God is not ashamed to be called their God!"

It's written about the people in verse 13; "All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth." (Hebrews 11:13 NLT)

These were people who lived by faith, acted in faith, and died still believing what God had promised them. Because of that, God was not ashamed to be called their God.

In a culture where Christianity is increasingly marginalized and rejected, I want to live my life in such a way that God is not ashamed to be called my God.

Prayer:

Father, I believe in you and I believe your promises. I struggle with doubts and fears and I'm often slow to act in simple faith, but I am looking forward to a heavenly homeland and I am not going to turn back. Help me to live a life of faithful response to your Word and your Spirit. Help me to live so that you are not ashamed to be called my God. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International

If someone sent this to you and you like it,

Not Ashamed
Hebrews 11:16
Jim Stephens
07-14-09

Scripture:

But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a heavenly city for them. (Hebrews 11:16 NLT)

I don't know why this phrase caught my attention so strongly this morning - "God is not ashamed to be called their God!"

It's written about the people in verse 13; "All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth." (Hebrews 11:13 NLT)

These were people who lived by faith, acted in faith, and died still believing what God had promised them. Because of that, God was not ashamed to be called their God.

In a culture where Christianity is increasingly marginalized and rejected, I want to live my life in such a way that God is not ashamed to be called my God.

Prayer:

Father, I believe in you and I believe your promises. I struggle with doubts and fears and I'm often slow to act in simple faith, but I am looking forward to a heavenly homeland and I am not going to turn back. Help me to live a life of faithful response to your Word and your Spirit. Help me to live so that you are not ashamed to be called my God. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International

If someone sent this to you and you like it,