Nothing But

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Hebrews 9 Jeremiah 51-52

Nothing But

Jeremiah 51-52, Hebrews 9
Key Verse: Hebrews 9:12

The glass doors, front windows, display cases or even cash registers of stores tell us the variety of ways we can pay for our purchases-VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, debit cards, checks and cash. Some retailers also have a coupon program or voucher system, maybe a card filled with stamps. Options abound.

That is the way it is at gas stations, department stores, restaurants and other places of business, but not the way it is in regard to salvation. In the words of the old hymn, it is "nothing but the blood of Jesus" that can make the payment for our debt of sin.

This chapter of Hebrews draws our attention to what Jesus has done for us. It especially reminds us that we are not saved by His life or by His example but by His shed blood. We also must remember that salvation is nothing in or of ourselves but is totally of Him. Again, as a songwriter put it, "Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling." As this chapter says, "He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption" (6:12).

While some people might want to turn away from this imagery, preferring instead to focus on Jesus' life and example, we must remember that it is by His death, burial and resurrection that we are saved. Again, quoting from a modern writer, "We had a debt we could not pay; He paid a debt that He did not owe."

"Thank You, God, for my salvation. It is a gift given freely to me but one that was purchased at great price. I thank You for the shed blood of Jesus."

Procrastination Is a Sin

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Are you one of those people who believes, “Put off until tomorrow what you could be doing today”? This is one of those times when the fingers pointing back at me outnumber the one that’s pointing to you! What am I talking about? Procrastination. Did you know that procrastination is a sin? I say that because sin is not merely doing wrong, it is failing to do what you ought to do. Procrastination and disobedience are just different shades of the same sin. I heard a quote once that said it well...“When you have a job to do, begin this very hour. You supply the will, God supplies the power.” That is the will power we need to instantly obey!

ACTION POINT:
Has a certain task been hounding you? Confess your procrastination as sin. And act now; don’t hesitate. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow may never come. Today is the day!

Forgetting What's Behind, Reaching for What's Ahead

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
There are two days that can steal the joy from today. One is yesterday and the other is tomorrow. Paul exhorts in Philippians 3:13-14, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” We are to forget the past the guilt, the glory, the grief, and the grudges. Paul was one who was guilty, along with others for the stoning of Stephen. He said he was the chiefest of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). But, Paul buried that guilt in the grave of God’s forgetfulness.

ACTION POINT:
Maybe you’ve done something so horrible, that you’re gripped with fear to think someone would find out what you’ve done. Have you repented? Then, don’t be haunted by the ghost of guilt.

Temptation

Think for a moment about what tempts you. Got a picture of that (or those) temptation in your mind? Now, ask yourself where temptation originates. Does it come from God? And also, consider a practical question, what's the most effective way to deal with temptation?

Let's see what light the Bible sheds on this matter.

What Does God Say?

James 1:12-15 answers both our questions. It tells us clearly and succinctly about God and temptation.

"God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death" (James 1:12-15 NLT).

• How does God expect you to respond to temptation?
• What will be the end result if you properly handle temptation?
• Does God tempt you?
• Where does temptation come from?
• What's the result of giving in to the temptation?

My Thoughts

Have you ever been tempted and sinned, and then when you looked back on it, you realized that you walked right into that temptation. Maybe you ignored the warning signs, or for some reason, thought you could handle the temptation. Well, Scripture tells us exactly what we should do in such a situation.

Don't do as the wicked do,
and don’t follow the path of evildoers.
Don't even think about it; don't go that way.
Turn away and keep moving." (Proverbs 4:14-15 NLT).

"Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts" (2 Timothy 2:22).

• Write down the best action to take when tempted?
• Plan ahead. Determine how you can avoid situations where you may be tempted.
• If you find yourself in a tempting situation, ask the Lord for His strength to get out of the setting as fast as you can. This is the time, to run first; pray later. Or better still, run first--while you are praying!

My Part

Jesus Himself taught us to pray,

"Don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one" (Matthew 6:13 NLT).

That's a wonderful petition to pray not only for ourselves but for others. Here's what Dr. Woodrow Kroll, radio Bible teacher at Back to Bible, shared from his life: "I've often been asked what I pray for my children. I never pray for my girls to be great women of faith. I never pray for my son, who's a pastor by the way, I never pray for him to become a great preacher of the Word. But I do pray this for my children; I've always prayed, 'Lord, don't let them fall into sin' because I figure as long as they stay away from temptation and don't wander down a path that leads them into sin, God will take care of the rest of their lives."

Make this your prayer this week as well.

What Does God Say?

My Thoughts

My Part

Consequences of Rebellion by Dr. Warren Wiersbe

Consequences of Rebellion by Dr. Warren Wiersbe


Read Psalm 107:9-15

It is dangerous to rebel against the will and the Word of God and to turn away from His path. Psalm 107 describes the fate of people who did. "Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, bound in affliction and irons . . . therefore He brought down their heart with labor; they fell down, and there was none to help" (vv. 10,12). Verse 11 tells us why this happened: "Because they rebelled against the words of God, and despised the counsel of the Most High."

This is the terrible and painful plight of all who rebel against God's will and Word--darkness, death and despair. Instead of being on that wonderful road that leads to glory, they are down in the dungeon in darkness and in bondage, under the shadow of death. People say, "I want to do my own thing. I want to do it my way." They shouldn't. The greatest judgment God might bring to our lives is to let us have our own way. Paul wrote that God gave mankind over to uncleanness, vile passions and a debased mind (Rom. 1:18-32). God says to those who rebel against Him, "Do you want to go in that direction? All right, I won't stop you, but neither will I change the consequences."

The people described in Psalm 107 who rebelled against God's Word ended up in darkness and death, in the dungeon of defeat and despair. But they cried out to God, and He delivered them. It's never too late for God's mercy. You can cry out to Him just as these people did. "Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains in pieces" (vv. 13,14). They received light and life and liberty because they called upon the Lord.

Be Angry and Sin Not

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” Ephesians 4:26

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
God’s Word tells us to be “slow to wrath” (Proverbs 14:29, James 1:19). There’s nothing that will do more damage to your relationships than unwanted, unwarranted anger. If you are given to anger, let me tell you a couple of things the Bible says, and it won’t be flattering. First, the Bible says you are foolish. Ecclesiastes 7:9 says, “For anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” Second, you have a weak character. Proverbs 16:32 says, “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” Uncontrolled anger is like throwing a rock into a wasp’s nest.

ACTION POINT:
Do you have a short fuse? If so, confess it. Don’t let Satan get a stronghold in your life. If you get angry today, ask yourself what need is not being met and give it to the Lord.

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All have sinned

There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the
glory of God.




Romans 3:23 NIV




_________________




Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.
And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him
there is no sin.




Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him
nor known Him.




1 John 3:4-6 NKJV




_________________




Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.




James 4:17 NLT




_________________




My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions.




Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me
every time. It happens so regularly that it's predictable.




The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly
delight in God's commands, 23but it's pretty obvious that not all of
me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I
least expect it, they take charge.




Romans 7:20-23 MSG




_________________




We need a Savior because we are sinners,


and the wages of sin is death...




Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift:


Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of


our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.

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Cease from sin.

Cease from sin.

Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves
also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has
ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in
the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.




For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the
Gentiles--when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries,
drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4In regard to these, they
think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of
dissipation, speaking evil of you.




1 Peter 4:1-4 NKJV

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