Hebrews « Journeyman Journal

The Question for the Ages

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

You’ve probably asked this question yourself. I can almost guarantee you’ve heard someone ask it. I’ve done both…asked it and heard it just this week in fact. It’s one of those “questions for the ages”…it has been asked ever since mankind got thrown out of The Garden on our ear…

Why does God allow bad stuff to happen to people?

We know deep down that God could stop all of the bad stuff…the stuff happening in our lives, to the people we know, around the world. He has the power, but why doesn’t He do it?

People come to different conclusions. Some think it’s because He’s mean. Some say it’s because He doesn’t care. Some that He doesn’t even exist.

There are “deep” theological answers (think “free will”), but I’m not getting into that today. This whole topic came up while I was reading a passage out of Hebrews this morning. The answer given there is specifically for those who are following Him. Why does God allow stuff to happen to those who are trying there best to follow Him?

Why?

Because we’re His children, and that’s what a good Dad does…

As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children.
Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?
If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children,
it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all.
Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us,
shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?
Hebrews 12:7-9, NLT

When I read that this morning I wanted to know more about the word “discipline” used here. It made me think of how I discipline my own children (a common occurrence…just ask Kyle), punishing them to change their behavior. And it’s close…but it goes beyond how I typically think of discipline. God is using what goes on in our daily lives…the good and the bad…to shape and mold us. He lets the stuff happen because He wants it to train us…to change us. The word is more akin to the idea of instruction and training—not just punishment.

And God’s does this all throw His perfect filter of love and grace. He isn’t allowing these things to happen because He’s mean or doesn’t care. Quite the opposite…He allows it because He knows it’s good for us…it will develop our character and draw us to Himself (if we let it). I don’t know about you, but I want to be a legitimate child of God. And He’s been using plenty of “stuff” in my life to discipline/train me. I just wish it wasn’t so painful sometimes (as does Kyle), and I wish I would realize what’s happening when I’m going through the battle.

02.02.2010 Devotional, God's Love, Spiritual Development, Spiritual Musings 1 Comment

Expected to Teach

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Teaching is both by gifting and my passion. But I understand that it’s not everyone’s gifting (1 Corinthians 12:28).

However, we need to be careful not to use that as an excuse in our spiritual lives. We are supposed to be teaching others about spiritual things…

You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others.
Hebrews 5:12, NLT

As I read this passage,a couple of thoughts come to mind:

There is an expectation of growth in our spiritual lives. We are supposed to learn and graduate from “spiritual milk” to “spiritual meat”. It’s natural…and it’s unnatural not to grow.
There is an expectation that we will take others on the journey with us…we are supposed to be teaching others the spiritual truths we learn as we grow. You don’t have to be some Biblical scholar, but you need to be sharing your experiences…how God has been teaching you and how you have grown.

I’ve been praying this week about who God wants me to pour my life into. Who should I be taking on the journey with me? Who can I teach…and learn from at the same time?

I got my answer…how about you?

21.01.2010 Discipleship, Spiritual Development, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Our Brother

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

I have been thinking about brothers and sisters a lot this week. I’ve been thinking about my brother, who I lost 20 years ago. I’ve been thinking about my sister, who I lost a week ago.

Brothers and sisters hold a dear place in our lives. We love them…and sometimes they drive us crazy (but we still love them).

I miss mine. A lot.

But I have one more brother…and so do you…

So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father.
That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.
Hebrews 2:11, NLT

That’s pretty cool if you ask me…Jesus calls us His brothers and sisters.

And He’s not going anywhere.

20.01.2010 Jesus, Spiritual Musings 1 Comment

Who You Lookin’ At?

Sunday, November 15th, 2009

The first verse of Hebrews 12 gives us a serious challenge as Christ followers…

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a
huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith,
let us strip off every weight that slows us down,
especially the sin that so easily trips us up.
And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Hebrews 12:1, NLT

In other words: you’ve heard about the spiritual giants such as Abraham, Moses, and David so start acting like them. Easy to say…not so easy to do. On the one hand, most of these “spiritual giants” had their share of problems (i.e.: lying, cheating, and murder) so they are as human as you and I are. On the other hand, they had great faith and walked close to God in spite of their weaknesses (and maybe because of those weaknesses).

Any way you look at it, it’s a tall order. How do we do this? Well, that’s why you have to keep reading to verse 2…

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus,
the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
Hebrews 12:2, NLT

How do we run the spiritual race? How do we endure it? How do we act like the spiritual giants of the past?

By keeping our eyes on Jesus. It’s not about us. It’s about Him. It’s not about our strength or our weakness…it’s about His power demonstrated in our lives. We do not initiate or perfect our faith…Jesus does (sometimes we get that one backwards).

So….who you lookin’ at?

15.11.2009 Devotional, Faith, Spiritual Musings 1 Comment

Thoughts on Faith

Sunday, June 29th, 2008

We all know what faith is right? Most of us can quote the proper Scripture…

Now faith is being sure of we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1, NIV

I must admit, however, that I still struggle with the practical concept of faith (and maybe I always will). This morning God put the word “faith” in front of me too many times to ignore…and all within on passage of Scripture…

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ
…
People are made right with God when they believe that
Jesus sacrificed His life, shedding His blood.
…
It is based on faith. So we are made right God through faith and not by obeying the law.
…
There is only one God, and He makes people right with himself only by faith…
Romans 3:22, 25, 27, 30; NLT

God is at work within me to clarify what I truly and practically believe about this word and concept: FAITH. He is at work and I’m trying to listen and learn. The process won’t be over today. And don’t get me wrong…I know what faith is. I’ve studied the word and I am a believer and follower…I have faith in God. God is working at a more practical level. How am I living this concept of faith? What does it mean for my everyday?

As I said, the process will take some time. God wants me to wrestle with this and come to terms with it. But I think I know where it’s heading. Practically, the question is if I am truly trusting God with everything. Is He who and what I turn to always? Do I only need Him or do I think I need other things? It’s hard to explain…and I feel like I’m missing it completely (maybe that’s because it’s still churning within me?). Eldridge hit on it a little bit in my reading from Walking with God this morning (and I’m sure he says it much better…he does have an editor after all)…

There is no greater disaster for the human heart than this—to believe we have found life apart from God. And this shift I’ve been describing—this coming to believe that what I don’t have but long for I actually need—is the opening stages of the disaster. For whatever reason, we have come to believe that God is not enough. (Page 183, emphasis mine).

My faith…lived in practice…has something to do with believing (deep down) that I can only find true life in God and that He is more than enough…I don’t need anything else. More to come on this topic as God continues to reveal His truths to me on this topic.

What are your thoughts about this FAITH word? What insights do you have that you can share? We’re all part of this journey and I really do want to hear what God is speaking into your heart and life…it helps me along the journey too…