Hebrews 11:8-16
——— one of the reasons why we find it so difficult to cope with ambiguity and uncertainty is because we have never really died to self-interest. We are more concerned about our own purposes than we are about His – hence we are uncertain and insecure. —– look at Abraham and the way he handled his situation of ambiguity and uncertainty. He was almost seventy-five years old when God called him to step out on the pathway of uncertainty. There he was, loading up his camel caravan with his wife and nephew, bound for ‘somewhere’.——” Charles Swindoll humorously pictures a conversation between Abraham and his neighbours going something like this: “Abraham, where are you going?” “I’m moving.” “Why? Why ever would you want to leave Ur?” “God has made it clear that I should go.” “God? You’ve been talking to Him again?” “Right. He told me to leave. I must go.” “Well, where are you going?” “I don’t know; He didn’t tell me that.” “Wait a minute, you know you ought to go, but you don’t know where you ought to go?” “Yes.” “Abraham, you really have gone off the deep end.” And so it continues. It isn’t easy to obey without understanding. —— going – without knowing. It might help to remind ourselves of the term God sometimes uses to describe us – strangers and pilgrims. People on the move, free to follow Him wherever He leads – regardless.(By Selwyn Hughes)   It is not our business to figure everything out. It is our duty to obey. We are to walk by faith, not by sight!

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16   (Also read Luke 18:9-14)   When I was a boy it was common to hear someone say, “The door’s open. Come on in.” I bet I’ve heard that a thousand times. In those days we were very informal about greeting company. I thought about that when I read the following article from Turning Point:

The second president of the United States, John Adams (and his wife, Abigail), was the first president to occupy the White House. In his day, and for many years afterward, it was possible for average citizens to walk into the White House unannounced to attempt to see the president. Try that today! Multiple levels of security shield the president from the average citizen seeking an audience.

If it’s difficult to see the president of the United States, or the leader of any modern country, think how much more difficult it ought to be to have an audience with God. But it’s not difficult at all! Scripture tells us that all who have been made pure by the blood of Christ can come “boldly to the throne of grace” to “obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” But how many take advantage of that free access? If we don’t, it’s not because we don’t need mercy or grace; it’s not that we don’t have times of need. It’s more that we just can’t comprehend what it means to have unfettered access to the God of the universe.

Have you entered into God’s presence today? The door is open, waiting for you to walk through, if only you will.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

God’s Word is an amazing gift He has given to each of us. Yet so many times, we don’t study, read, meditate, and live out God’s Word like we should!

 

The Bible is the most important tool a believer can have on this earth and it serves specific and strategic purposes in every believer’s life.

 

First, God’s Word gives us spiritual counsel. There are so many decisions in life to make, some big and some small. And the Bible is there to give us guidance on these decisions.

 

Do you want to know God’s will for your life? Then get into His Word. Psalm 119:105 promises us that God will guide us every step of the way. You can learn and live the will of God for your life through the promises and principles found in His Word.

 

God’s Word also offers us spiritual correction. Perhaps you have fallen off the path God has for you and you want to get going in the right direction. Well, God’s Word is there to lead you back.

 

Third, God’s Word is there to enable us to face spiritual conflict. Satan and his team of evil forces are working all around us, all the time. And it’s crucial that you be armed with the knowledge, truth, and power found in God’s Word. The Bible enables us to conquer our spiritual problems as well as face the daily burdens that we all have in life!

 

And finally, God’s Word offers us spiritual communion with God. When we study the Word of God, we get to know God’s character. It’s not just an ancient book, irrelevant to today’s culture. God’s Word is alive and it is there to change your life!

 

It’s my prayer that as you faithfully read, study, memorize, meditate, obey, and share God’s Word, your life will never be the same!The Bible is the most important tool a believer can have on this earth.(From PowerPoint)

In Brooklyn one day I met a young man passing down the streets. At the time the war broke out the young man was engaged to be married to a young lady in New England, but the marriage was postponed. He was very fortunate in battle after battle, until the Battle of the Wilderness took place, just before the war was over. The young lady was counting the days at the end of which he would return. She waited for letters, but no letters came. At last she received one addressed in a strange handwriting, and it read something like this-“There has been another terrible battle. I have been unfortunate this time; I have lost both my arms. I cannot write myself, but a comrade is writing this letter for me. I write to tell you you are as dear to me as ever; but I shall now be dependent upon other people for the rest of my days, and I have this letter written to release you from your engagement.” This letter was never answered. By the next train she went clear down to the scene of the late conflict, and sent word to the captain what her errand was, and got the number of the soldier’s cot. She went along the line, and the moment her eyes fell upon that number she went to that cot and threw her arms round that young man’s neck and kissed him. “I will never give you up,” she said. “These hands will never give you up; I am able to support you; I will take care of you.” My friends, you are not able to take care of yourselves. The law says you are ruined, but Christ says, “I will take care of you.”

-D. L. Moody

In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths (Prov 3:6).

 

Does God have answers for all our problems? The knowledge and wisdom of God assure us that the answer to that is a definite Yes. No problem is too big for God. No difficulty is outside His ability to provide a proper cure. We can assure ourselves that in heaven we will be able to look to God for guidance for every decision we will ever face. God does not guess about possible solutions. He does not weigh one just a bit better than another. God will be no different throughout all eternity than He is right now.

God has the answers, but we don’t always seek His answers. What a blessed paradise that will be when we habitually seek His guidance for all we do! The present sinful bent of our independent spirit pretty well guarantees that we will make wrong choices much more than we will make proper choices. In fact, it is quite likely that we will consistently make wrong choices. Our Adamic personality bent is remarkably well established.

Parents training children recognize this inner perversion and endeavor to mould young lives to build right habits and make proper choices. Instruction is, or should be, emphasized by discipline. Modern thinkers have begun opposing spanking. God has not given up that aspect of training. When a child puts his hand on a hot stove, according to God’s regular pattern of enforcement, he will learn a lesson. That same pattern of divine instruction continues throughout life. Over and over again, what we suffer from is the result of some wrong choice which “naturally” brings pain or suffering.

Is trial and error the only way we learn? We are more than animals. God has given us speech. Blessed is the one who can learn to react to “Stop!” before touching a hot object. God’s official do and don’t instruction is in a book we call the Bible. There is no comparable source of learning what is right and wrong in this life. A newborn child of God learns from the Word of God what is right and what is wrong in God’s world, and especially what is special about the new life a believer has been given. Instruction for the growth and service of each individual believer may be different somewhat; God speaks to and guides each of His children. Wonderfully, mature saints all look pretty much alike, but each one is individually distinct.

Seek and ye shall find. Endeavor to know, and God will enable to know. Walk closely with the Lord, and He will direct your path. Choice, habits, decisions – God can guide in each area. Long term plans? Let God guide step by step. Major decisions? Don’t try to stand alone. Seek out the principles of His Word. Get advice from others who have been led by Him. He knows more about you and your future than you will ever know yourself. He has the greatest possible interest in your making right choices. Learn to depend wholly on Him, and He will direct each step of your path.(By Warren Vanhetloo)