The assurance of faith

Hebrews 11:1-3
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

Hebrews 10:19-25
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.

Our refuge

 John 1:1-4

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

Deuteronomy 6:5-9
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Romans 12:1-2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Extravagantly pursued

 Extravagantly Pursued. Lavishly loved and provided for.

 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us,

 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

 “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

 

 We began our journey through the psalms at the beginning of the pandemic. Yesterday we finished our journey through the proverbs. I chose the wisdom books because I felt they would give us the encouragement we needed to deal with death at our doors and I hope they have.

Today I want to remind us that our Father has been with us and continues to be with us and walk with us. Yes some of us contracted the virus and some of us lost loved ones but we have never been alone and I hope our journey brought you encouragement.

 

I cannot decide where to go to next but I strongly felt that we need to be reminded of the GIFT that is our Lord and all the gifts our Father bestows upon us. At the same time with church attendance low and us encouraged not to gather and the gathering having changed so much I am wondering if we have not stopped pursuing our Father. My prayer is that we will also be extravagant and lavishly pursue and love Him.

 

1 John 3 and 4;  John 3 and 17

A picture of one who walks in wisdom surrendered to the Lord (Prov 31)

 The Woman Who Fears the Lord

An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.
She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

Only the Lord is Majestic and Wise (Prov 30)

 The man declares, I am weary, O God; I am weary, O God, and worn out.

Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man.
I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.
Who has ascended to heaven and come down?
Who has gathered the wind in his fists?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and what is his son's name?
Surely you know!
Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.
Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die:
Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you
and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.

Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer; the rock badgers are a people not mighty,
yet they make their homes in the cliffs; the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank; the lizard you can take in your hands, yet it is in kings' palaces.

If you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth.
For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife.

wisdom and justice (Prov 29)

He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down.
A man who flatters his neighbour spreads a net for his feet.
An evil man is ensnared in his transgression, but a righteous man sings and rejoices.
A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.

The poor man and the oppressor meet together; the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
If a king faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever.
The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
When the wicked increase, transgression increases, but the righteous will look upon their downfall.

One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honour.

Many seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.
An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.

Blessed is the one who fears the Lord (Prov26-28)

Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.

Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbours deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.

Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way  will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.

A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.