Hebrews Chapter 8

“In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.”

Hebrews 8:13

Obsolete.

An outdated and no longer functioning system, idea, or product we once thought we could not live without. Do you have one you remember vividly?

I grew up with straight, fine hair. I slept on sponge rollers many nights for those curls I longed for…until the curling iron came along!  The same is true of my ninth-grade typewriter. I still have one in my closet!

I’m sure you and I could sit together reminiscing about obsolete items we used daily and now never give much thought. We’ve progressed with the times, the old has passed away and the new has come.

The concept of no longer depending on old items or ideas is similar to a picture in the scriptures of us being new creatures in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away and the new has come.

English Standard Version, Bible Gateway

Just as Christ makes us new individually, the same is true of His power over the old covenant. It was outdated and no longer functioning because it had no power to change hearts. The tabernacle and temples were copies and shadows of the real place where God truly dwells.

Jesus, as the perfect, sinless, High Priest offers the ultimate sacrifice—Himself. As such, He surpasses the fallen priests who atone for their own sin before they can present a sacrifice for the sins of the people.  The old covenant and sacrificial system, established by God, points toward Jesus. His birth, death, and resurrection make the old covenant obsolete and establishes the better covenant.

Jeremiah assured believers of this, when he said, the laws will be written on their hearts and in their minds. A new enlightenment with the Holy Spirit’s guidance. His prophecy in Jeremiah 31:31-34

 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah,  not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord.  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

English Standard Version Bible Gateway ** a concept pointed to in Better, A study of Hebrews by Jen Wilken, p 92.

A better way to reach the lost than an estimated one million people leaving ancient Egypt and gathering in the wilderness. Bewildered people emerging from bondage and surviving a red sea passage and looking toward the cloud holding the presence of God by day and fire by night ( Exodus 13:21, Isaiah 63:11-14).Standing, wondering, and dependent on the one person who could reveal God’s message. Relying on Moses, then the priests, to read the law of the covenant to the large groups of people at the tent of meeting, once the tabernacle was built.

Furthermore, the freed slaves of Israel are dependent on their brother or neighbor to make sure they heard God’s message correctly and understood it thoroughly in the crowd of thousands. Instituting a new way to live was necessary as they learned to remove the bondage of paganism. Their uneducated souls, fearfully looked to Moses for redemption in the harsh and barren land.

However, we see the prophecy of Jeremiah truly come to life in John the Baptist and Jesus when they share the message of the gospel.

People are led by the presence and power of God’s Word in the proclamation of the good news, rather than through Moses, the priests, and each other. Through the Holy Spirit, His teaching spread the Word like tongues of fire after Jesus’ ascension into heaven (Acts 2:1-4). The Holy Spirit came to dwell in men and women. The apostles recorded the inerrant word of God for all to read. Furthermore, the prophecy of Jeremiah continues today as the truth of God’s revelation is bound in the Holy Bible and is, to this day, the number one selling book of all time.

Sisters, what an honor and privilege we have, to read the word of God daily!

How blessed are we… educated to read His word, and sought by the Holy Spirit, who woos us to the love peace of Jesus?  May we take comfort in the words of the apostle Paul today:

“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since He himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him. Yet He is actually not far from each one of us,”  Acts 17:24-27

English Standard Version Bible Gateway

Thank you, Father in Heaven! We are here today, reading your word in the determined city of residence, in this time period of 2020. Showered with the wealth of running water, electricity, comfortable beds, shelter, and the protection of law enforcement. We are unworthy, yet so grateful, You woo us with your Holy Spirit.

The obsolete law of the old covenant could not compare to the sacrifice of Your Son. May we take comfort in Jesus’ finished work on the cross today and every day. Please prepare our hearts and minds Lord for your second coming; for the signs are clear, this ole world is growing old and is ready to vanish away.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

“ For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.”

Hebrews 7:18-19

CLICK HERE TO READ: Hebrews Chapter 7

A better hope.

It sounds so promising in light of our striving for perfection. The idea of attaining flawlessness with Christ we are unable to achieve on our own. 

Although, the commandments set before Israel are for their protection and pointing them toward a better life with fewer consequences; they still resisted their guiding principles. As do we.

The writer of Hebrews urges them to remember the story of Melchizedek. Resembling the Son of God, he has no genealogy.  Abraham honored him with a tenth of the spoils out of the gratitude of his heart. He says, “It is indisputable that the inferior is blessed by the superior”. (vs 7)

No Levitical priesthood following in the line of Abraham could assure Israel of right relationship with God. They were busy making amends for their own sin as well as the sins of the people they served. They, and the law are clearly insufficient to save anyone.

Therefore, a plan was in place to offer a better hope for their souls …and ours!  Jesus, the one “high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens” (vs. 26)

It is the love of God showered on our hurting world.

We draw near to God when we realize life is empty without Him. When we’ve tried things our way, outside His protection and reaped the consequences. Rules are useless and weak when our hearts are deceived.

The gratitude of a changed heart, on the other hand, understands Christ pays the debt we cannot pay. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). He does this through His own indestructible life.

We experience a rising peace in the turmoil of our own imperfection. Moreover, others see our victorious life as we walk with a kinder heart, a softer tone of voice, and continual mercy for those who offend us.  

The Prince of Peace fills our hearts with contentment and transforms the priorities. Striving for perfection in work, possessions, or status becomes invigorating faith for a hope-filled gospel!

Amen and thank you Jesus!

Dearest Lord, as you open the eyes of our hearts today, help us see areas where we continue to strive. Areas that glorify us and not you. Please make us aware of pride and discontent with material or physical things that take our eyes off of you. Please help us be content in the everyday blessings you shower upon us. Prince of peace, lead us to gratefulness and a willingness to please you above pleasing ourselves. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.  And this we will do if God permits.
Hebrews 6:1-3

Hope in the finished work of Jesus.

It’s all we have.

No work based faith will bring us closer to God or into heaven because God looks at the heart. No act of contrition, tradition, or ritual of religion will bring us closer to God unless we embrace His son, Jesus, and receive love and faith as God’s child.

The author of Hebrews urges us to move forward in the faith Jesus provides. Beyond the foundational principles set by Jesus Himself: Repentance, faith, resurrection of the dead, eternal judgment. It’s heart wrenching to listen to His plea to his Jewish brothers regarding their search for eternal life.

Jesus told the Pharisees in John 5:39-40–“You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me. Yet, you refuse to come to me that you may have life. For, if you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote of me.”

English Standard Version, Bible Gateway

Jesus also clarifies whoever has true faith will endure to the end. Those who flirt with Christianity and try to do things out of their own strength will fall away. It is utter dependence on Jesus that our hope is built, nothing else.

JOHN 10:22-30

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

English Standard Version, Bible Gateway

It’s not unusual for people to fear change and loss. The radical life of following Jesus was too much for a law abiding Jew to swallow. Sometimes it is for us too. Giving up status, work, opportunity, family relationships, and cultural rituals passed down for centuries was life altering for the people of Israel. They knew they would embrace poverty, suffering, persecution, famine, and sword as they submitted all to Christ…..

Just as Jesus suffered, they too, would endure suffering for following Him.

Although, they would do it with hope for eternal life and an inner peace of their souls. A peace only He can provide. It was worth it for them and He is worth it for us. We won’t be like those who’s outward appearance of shallow faith becomes evident under hardship. There will be no lack of fruit flowing from our changed hearts. Moreover, we will avoid the world’s empty promises that ultimately lead to bitterness and hopelessness.

Because Jesus calls us to examine our hearts and seek healing in His all consuming power over death and despair. He is calling each of us every day. Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, place your burdened soul down and trust me to carry you through.

I’m praying my heart and your heart is His today, friends. As we reach out to Him with all we have, even if it is a tiny thread of hope…..He will multiply it ten-fold with each step of faith. Love you!

Do you ever feel like something important is slipping away and you have no control over it?

I’m wondering if the first century Jewish Christians felt the same way. The torture tactics, emperor Nero subjected Christians to so they would not follow “The Way” were chilling.

How would the picture of Hebrews 11:37 affect our stand in claiming Jesus today?

We see a picture of terror for these first century brothers and sisters in Christ that our soft lifestyle of abundance might just cave under. Something important was slipping away and they had no control over it. Fear of losing temporary physical life was overcoming faith in eternal life with Christ.

The writer of Hebrews is urgently calling them to hold fast to the hope of Christ and look beyond their circumstances.

Our ladies group is studying “Better, A Study of Hebrews, by Jen Wilken. She points us toward the repeated phrase “hold fast” and what we see the first century Jews holding fast to in the following verses….. (LifeWay Publishing,Wilkin, 2020 p. 53)

Hebrews 3:6

Hebrews 3:14

Hebrews 4:14

Hebrews 6:18

Hebrews 10:23

I can’t help but remember and ‘hold fast’ to the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:28

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Lord Jesus, help us fix our eyes on you and away from our lives in this temporary place. Please forgive us our grumbling in our comfort. Help us see the suffering of today’s Christians in China, Korea, the Middle East, India, and Africa as they face the same persecution your first church faced. May we continually keep them in prayer as they suffer and offer them any support you lay upon our hearts to offer.

Father, the faith of our children is slipping away, please help them hold fast. Our elderly are slipping away in fear of disease and isolation from their families, please comfort them. You see our country slipping away due to sin and rebellion, please help her turn from her sin and seek you again.

You are our confidence. You are our hope. You lift us up when we are too weak to cope in this world and remind us Jesus, you overcame the world. Our hope is in you and life with you forever. Although, we will not escape the daily tribulations of this world, you will be with us and guide us. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Proverbs 19:21

Do you ever wonder what shapes God’s call upon your life? Do you feel the same self-doubt and trepidation answering a “potential” call like I do, or does it fade with each step of faith? A motley life course often matures with natural ability, love of God, and hope for a fulfilling career. Nonetheless, a clear-cut calling may remain elusive us until that breathless moment of trust says “yes” to a persistent tug on our hearts.

Trust built with momentous highs of professional advancement, marriage, and children alongside valleys of suffering, loss, disappointment and fear. The peace from gospel truth may even come at a young age, shaping hints of a purpose towards the eternal realm. Yet, growing in confident assurance the gospel provides progresses slowly.

As time moves on, settling occurs and the opportunity to contemplate the elusive purpose arrives. It is here that the word of God speaks to a soft spot of discontent in my own heart. Proverbs 20:5 says, “The purpose of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.”  Although, age should not be a factor, it is often present in the self-doubting fear of reaching deeper water.

Did Moses, at eighty years old, question leaving his settled life for a call to take the Israelites out of Egypt? He certainly did. Perhaps, he was content with being a shepherd. The details are not clear, however God’s plan for him shepherding people became very clear.

God saw the suffering of His people Israel. Exodus 7:3 says, “God heard them crying out because of their slave drivers and is concerned about their suffering.” So, now go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” (Exodus 7:10 NIV).

Although Moses protests, God insists. Exodus 3:12a says, “And God said, “I will be with you.”

In spite of fears and inadequacy; God is calling average people like Moses.  He may also be calling you and I to use our professional experience and natural ability to relieve suffering for his people. In our own unique way, we can join the women we admire.

If God has placed on our hearts a concern for suffering people, He will continually woo us to join the battle of encouraging them. No matter what our age. He is equipping us with life experiences in the workplace. He’s placed people in our path to mentor and love. God’s word fills our hearts and strains daily to burst forth answering the call to help hurting people. 

The burning bush of revealed purpose may occur in the trepid steps of obedience. A passage or bible study continually getting us through each day may inspire others. The heart of our plans consistently aligning with God’s word is a true sign, He is calling us. There is no room for self-doubt, fear, or indecision. A deeper purpose and satisfaction await when, “it’s the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Prov. 19:20b).

The sound and smell of spring is so relaxing coming through the back door, as the hubby and I lounge on the couch for movie night. There’s not quite enough room for both of us lying side by side, so my bare foot falls frequently to the floor. It’s sticky and I think the culprit is lying beside me.

The urge to get up and clean at 9:30 pm in the middle of a movie is almost overwhelming. I thought I cleaned the floors well enough on Monday. Apparently not. Ignoring it, I move my foot back to the couch; it slides back down.

My slightly obsessive-compulsive side says, “Ewe. This is gross. I have to clean it. Right now.” My tired body that babysat, cleaned, exercised, and cooked throughout the day says, “No, it can wait until morning. After all, you’re off all day with a “nonessential” travel ban in place. Relax.”

“It’s not as though the movie is good anyway!”  My mind retorts stubbornly. The return to high school plot line is tiresome. A typical heroine tries resisting her high school sweetheart’s charms in the midst of his murder charges……really!? There is a reason that relationship tanked and she moved across the country.

So, the internal battle rages, do the habitual thing and remove the stickiness or put it off until morning.

It’s interesting how a physical situation often mimics the spiritual. Behavior change begins with small steps in the right direction and encouragement from tiny victories. Steps that propel hearts to make more thoughtful decisions in the day to day permit lasting change. Deflected compulsive urges slowly steer the heart away from clinging patterns of self-ruin.

For instance, determining priorities for spiritual growth can involve distance from relationships that tempt me to continue selfish endeavors. Replacing short sightedness with intentional action on behalf of others during casual moments of noticed need is empowering.

Perhaps I’m filling a void with material things, I’m bored, or succumbing to emotional eating. Stuff I mostly avoid, yet at times still do. Similar to the heroine of the movie plot, clearly understanding her return home is a bad idea, although still drawn inexplicably.

There is a tension in the indecision. Making difficult choices often infringes on instant gratification.

 The apostle Paul states this beautifully, “So, I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.” (New International Version, 8:21-23)

The struggle is real for even the strongest Christian, like Paul. The stickiness of sin wants to cling to my mind and distort the changed heart that longs to be rescued from ‘the body of death’ (vs 24).  Because I battle the flesh every day.  The tenacious thoughts of self-reproach are slowly replaced with wonder and gratitude in the presence of Jesus’ sin offering.  A small victory over the mind renews strength and empowers the flesh.

Stepping forward with such grace spurs the next step in the right direction. A new habit begins, relax in Jesus and strive to please Him. I am reassured by meditating on the words of the apostle’s truth as I hear him declare further:

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” (NIV, Romans 8:1-2) So, I choose to live according to the Spirit and have my mind set on what the Spirit desires.

Aw, like a cool spring breeze my heart is set on the Sprit’s desires, the decision pleasing to Him is the one I choose.

“And I said: ‘Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

Isaiah 6:5

When the eyes of Isaiah fall upon the seraphim praising and worshiping the Lord, he is stricken with grief at his own corruption. Images of the people in his life and his interaction with them dart through his memory. Immediately he feels remorse.

The acute presence of a Holy God brings us to our knees. Every time.

When the scales fall off my eyes and I see clearly my sin before Him, I then understand and grieve words from my own lips. The sharp tone, criticism, nor the callous remarks spilling from my mouth are the hope our Lord wishes us to impart to others. Quite the contrary, it’s a sure sign of lingering bitterness. The stricken conscience resulting from the barrage of words, acknowledges the grievance before our Savior. Therefore, opening the door for repentance.

How important are words among people anyway?

Several years ago, I reprimanded my daughter for her language. Her friend promptly responded, “Why? They’re just words.” Taken aback by her response, I shut down. A less wise woman at the time, I withdrew to contemplate the carelessness of words, the deepness of words, and how often we assume our words have no impact.

Are they just words? It’s obviously not “cool” to think too highly of them. I often regret passing up the opportunity to teach that young lady. I just didn’t want to hurt her feelings or know how to guide her thinking at the time. Maybe her own scarring from past hurtful words led her to convince herself “words don’t matter”.

 What I would love to tell her now is that words have the power of life and death. I’d ask, “How many relationships have been torn apart because of words? How many children live in fear and anxiety because of the unleashed fury of words?” Most likely, the same number of children who learn compassion, love, kindness, and patience by the use of gentle words.

The beauty of Isaiah’s unclean lips is submitting them to God. He is forgiven and has the opportunity to make amends! Because the moment Isaiah realizes his shame and guilt before our Holy God, he has a heart change. Oh, how I’d love this to happen for this girl! Maybe it will! God is open to intercession and while we’re both alive, it’s never too late.

Isaiah’s desire is to ask God for restoration. He says in Isaiah 6:5 “And I said: ‘Woe is me! For I am lost.’ Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” (New International Version Isaiah 6:5-6).

The burning coal for you and me is the Holy Spirit living in us. He is guiding us through the difficult areas of restoration. Even though our heart reconstruction has taken place, maybe our old habits are hard to break. Here are three ways we can ACT to clean up our lips:

1. Acknowledge the careless or hurtful words and the emotion behind them.
2. Confess: Lord, I see my words have power of life and death, please forgive me for my words of anger, frustration, gossip, and slander that hurt others. Please fill me with words of life that encourage and love others.
3. Tell the person at the other end of those words, ” I am sorry“.

Memory verse for my thoughts and words:

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” ( New International Version, 2 Corinthians 10:5).

I pray you and I have the wisdom to compare our lives to the life of Jesus and no other starting today. The first step to restoring unclean lips is acknowledging the root cause and seeking God’s healing power of forgiveness. True repentance is signified in the grief over our sin, and it is a clear sign of a transformed heart. We want to please our Father. May we remember and pray this for lost opportunities as well as future occasions sure to arise.

 “The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, you will not despise a broken and humbled heart Psalm 51:17 (HCSB)

The love of Christ and my own shy personality usually frees me from attention-seeking behavior. The revolting thought of negative notoriety is this introvert’s worst nightmare. Did you see the American lady making “British eggs” in England? Only to be shamed as a fake! Putting yourself out there is so risky in our easily riled culture.

Therefore, it’s no surprise that intimidation knocks at the door of my confidence when compelled into the spotlight of extreme attention. The kind that whispers, are you sure you want them to see and hear all of you?

Sitting with my back to the wall is my preferred place to observe and soak in my surroundings. You know, stowed away from presumptuous ears that assess my intelligence with a slight twitch of the eyebrow when they hear my Kentucky accent.

Yes, ladies are in tune with those not so subtle looks from others. I take a deep, calming breath as the dreaded once-over begins. The softer, approval seeker in me feels her sails inflate when met with acceptance. While the intimidated loner bristles with momentary self-doubt if she bumps against haughtiness. However, a sure-footed contentment in a Savior’s love overcomes momentary affirmation from others as a distinct truth is realized; I am average and it’s ok.

Average in appearance and knowledge maybe, yet far beyond what others observe on the surface.

Hidden to the observer in that split-second, critical glance is an extraordinarily reformed spirit! The Holy Spirit counsels and calms my doubtful heart awaiting a second cursory gaze from the onlooker. He defines my worth, not others. He fills my soul with satisfaction and spurs me on to live for Jesus. He calms quaking emotions while assuring me, I am accepted by Him. Because my heart is pure. He washed me clean with the blood of His sacrifice on the cross, and I received His grace the day I placed my faith in Him.

So, when the observer’s eyes rise for reassessment, the radiance of a fulfilled heart may take them aback. Perhaps, their perspective narrows as they see something beyond the exterior human face before them.

They see a heart filled with Jesus and an eagerness to please Him. The average appearance disguises, at first, a repaired spirit. A sprit once broken in a world where physical appearance is paramount. Although, the once broken spirit never measures up physically to flawless skin, perfect size, and great hair; she is free from the chains of imperfection seen daily in the mirror.

In its place is an awareness that too many years are spent seeking outward perfection. The realization is the true beauty of a humbled heart in love with her redeeming savior.  A sacrifice noticed in heavenly places and stirring wonder in men and women who encounter its humbleness.

“Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life” (Prov 4:23, HCSB)

As an adult I understand guarding the heart is pivotal to walking victoriously. However, the ears of my young heart failed to understand this life source. Stubbornly unaware of protecting it fiercely above all else, I left it unguarded. Saying farewell to the ways taught through childhood, I sauntered headlong into living my way.

I soon began to feel the effects of an unguarded heart, physically and spiritually. Just as I see it now, among my friends and acquaintances. Its impact infiltrates my church family, too. We are all subject to its slowly eroding repercussions if we don’t fully submit to the saving grace of Jesus and protect our hearts by doing what He says.

We are vibrant people, loving life and others, yet continually trying to overcome lingering bitterness of the soul without Him at the helm of our lives. It’s easy to succumb to the pressure of our culture and live as though we are in control. We are taught that in the school room. Frequent messages of, “You can do anything you set your mind to in life” are often motivators to equip children toward achieving goals.

What if we equipped them to understand instead, life is hard, unfair, and sometimes cruel? But we have a Savior who is ready and willing to join us in our journey. He understands cruelty and hatred because experienced it first hand. What if parents used every cruelty and unkindness experienced by their children as an opportunity to teach them about Jesus? Furthermore, how do we as parents and grandparents do this on a daily basis instead of depending on the church to do this one or two hours a week?

Like many others, my early years were in church, learning of God’s goodness and mercy. I became very aware of my need for him at age 9. I decided to follow Him, accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and be baptized. Although the foundation was laid and my parents set a good example in the way they lived, they lacked good communication skills.

The firm foundation waivered, as my family drifted from the church of my childhood and began to steer their own way. I easily fell to peer pressure and desire to be accepted by others just four short years after accepting Christ. The pull of culture can happen so effortlessly at such a tender age. I hope my story can help another mother set up the necessary reinforcement in her daughter’s life to combat the danger of waywardness.

I remember, at 13 sobbing and begging God to ease the confusion of my warring spirit. A darkness was consuming my mind, my will, and emotions. I truly felt, I just could not measure up, or be the person He wanted me to be. So, I gave up. I lived for myself and for the world from that point on, and although I knew Him, I did not follow Him or His truth.

The place of waywardness is where my heart took the brunt of attacks from the enemy.

The next 17 years were ups and downs, highs and lows. I was an easy target. Yet, in spite of my stubborn resistance, God was faithful.

He continued wooing me back to Himself and allowing things to happen that simply destroyed my biggest enemy……my pride. When I refused to fully humble myself, He humbled me.

I do not recommend it. I want others to be wiser than I, closely examine their lives and hearts and see where they are living at the whim of their unreliable mind, will, and emotions. Because they will never fix it on their own. Nor will relying on short-term interventions like self-help books, yoga, mantras, or meditation.

Furthermore, the entire concept of guarding is to protect something of great value. God values our hearts. There is nothing more valuable than the place that houses our eternal souls. Although our efforts to guard it are noble, they are inefficient. The sly enemy is deceptively convincing us we are in control, when we are not. Look at the following proverbs to understand this dire situation:

• Psalm 141:3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over my lips!
• Proverbs 2:8 guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.
• Proverbs 2:11 discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you,
• Proverbs 4:6 Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.
• Proverbs 4:13 Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.
• Proverbs 5:2 that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge.
• Proverbs 13:3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
• Proverbs 13:6 Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, but sin overthrows the wicked.
• Proverbs 16:17 The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.
• Proverbs 22:5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.

God is reliable and you and I can trust Him with our most vulnerable and prized possession. Listening to His warning to fiercely protect our hearts preserves our lives. (Prov. 3:13)

His standard, set forth in His word, teaches me how he wants me and my child to live. How do we know what that standard is, in this temporal world, if we don’t read the Bible daily together? If we fail to attend a place of worship and fellowship, how do we remain respectful to God’s word and teach our children to do the same? By making the mistake of comparing ourselves to others and the way they live, we miss the way God wants us to live! 

Furthermore, we miss the way He wants me to talk, to behave, to love and to disciple our children. In His word is the place where heart change happens. Putting others above ourselves is a term of endearment to God, not a sacrifice. It shows how much we return His great love and sets an example for our children to do the same.

The deep and abiding relationships springing from this reflection of our Savior, persuades others to want the freedom Jesus offers. A freedom from bitter, hardened and unguarded hearts. Well meaning lessons in childhood may still not be enough, no matter how attentive and intentional our parents are in raising us to know the Lord. Although, having a keen eye to her child’s mannerisms and changes in behavior is helpful in deflecting rebellion; figuring out who she really is on her own is essential.

During these years of uncertainty all momma can do is pray and offer gentle reminders of who she is in Christ. Guarding her heart starts with guarding her body, it’s an honor and a privilege. The callous, thoughtless exposure of it among her peers and culture sway her easily to believe otherwise. However, the deep rooted connection of body and soul can’t be denied. There is a reason God covered our first parents in the garden after their sin. He shows them mercy in alleviating their shame.

Moreover, is the fact that Jesus did the very same thing. He covered our sin and shame and made us whole in Him. And Jesus wants us to live life beyond the remorse of an unguarded heart and into fullness. His righteousness covers us from eternal damnation, but our daily choices impact our living victoriously.

More importantly, He is the answer our unguarded hearts have been yearning for all along.

“Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him.”

Psalm 147:1

A sweet testimony of true pride is the faith of the elderly.
I admire the sheer tenacity of the lady in front of me standing on trembling limbs to sing praises to our God. Witnessing an arthritic hand raised in humble adoration stirs my heart. Worship is as close to her heart as breath. Those shaky legs hold her up for every hymn. She is taking delight in the meeting place.

Joy is present, in spite of a spine unnaturally curved, due to degenerative disc disease. Pain appears to be forgotten as the glory of praise abounds in her very stance. She refuses to sit for even a moment, as the worship session extends.

I see confidence in the hope of a better place in her determination. She will not allow physical weakness to hinder her praise time. She obtains victory in receiving the grace to endure. Life hasn’t been perfect, and perhaps extremely trying. However, the hope is clear, her faith in Jesus Christ has brought her through the struggle. Paul puts it this way in Romans:

“Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through Him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has given it to us. (Holman Christian Standard Bible, Romans 5:1-5 ).

Hope emanates from the shaky voice meeting each note of praise with heartfelt joy. It is grace that enables her trembling legs to withstand the hour long praise service. Flourishing strength in the presence of affliction is a site to behold in her small stature.
She has confidence, knowing, this shadow of a body, and all it’s complications, will give way some day. Her joy among believers will join the the souls that never die as she looks forward to being welcomed into glory.
Taking pride, for eternity, in glorifying the One who saves.