How Does God Talk To Me Today

Hebrews 4:12 The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.

God works full-time in the communication business, and He communicates with us in a variety of ways. The physical world tells us about Him as Creator; the Bible tells us about Him as Redeemer.

Over the centuries, God has even spoken to people directly, often because of their blindness and the way Satan confuses things. He has explained things in person, through dreams, and even through angels. But because ordinary people could make mistakes as they passed the message of God along, God set His record straight long ago by putting it into permanent written form.

As He intended, God still uses His powerful Word to communicate to us today. And we must use this Word to understand HIs will for us. This sharp, two-edged sword touches us with the influence of the Holy Spirit and brings our minds to the mind of God.

Prayer: O God, thank you for giving us your sharp and penetrating Word. Use it to bind us to Jesus, so that we might have the mind of Christ. In His name we we pray, Amen.

The Picture Book

Hebrews 2:4, NIV God…..testified…..by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

God’s Word is a book full of pictures. For example, Jesus often taught by means of stories that we call parables, and they are full of pictures.

More important, God made things happen in Bible pictures so the He could teach us important truths. In 1 Corinthians 10:11, the apostle Paul says the certain things happened to the children of Israel so that we might be instructed by those events.

In the book of Hebrews we see many Old Testament pictures revived. And many of these pictures we call “types” because they typify a person or event that perfected God’s plan of salvation. Types are ancient forerunners of salvation facts found in the New Testament.

When we study the Bible, then, we should study it typologically–according to types. This is different from studying the Bible allegorically–or, by drawing moral teachings from the Bible pictures. Systematic theology is a lifeless skeleton. Old Testament pictures are not allegories but types.

Those who want to grow spiritually enjoy studying the Bible. What does the Bible mean for me, today? Inspired by God, the Bible was written so that readers could observe the ages-long history of God’s salvation. Through pictures, we can see Jesus in that salvation plan, and you will be a part of that ongoing revelation, Christ in you.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you said, “Whoever sees me, sees God.” Live in us so fully that whoever sees us will see you also. Help us to be more like you. In your name we pray. Amen.

Growing in Christ

Hebrews 3:14 We share in Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end.

If any verse in Hebrews may be said to be its “golden text,” it is this one. Salvation is nothing less than sharing in Christ. It is not just the forgiveness of sins and going to heaven. It is not only that Christ died in our place. That is the negative part of it. That would set us back where Adam and Eve were before the fall. They’re in Eden’s paradise, but not in heaven.

Heaven, however, is exactly where we are today, says Hebrews. When Jesus ascended He took us with Him, saying, “Here am I, and the children God has given me” (Hebrews 2:13). Paul adds in Ephesians that we are seated with Christ in heaven (2:6), and in Romans that we are glorified (8:30).

Francis Schaeffer has said that we are essentially in the same condition Christ was in when He showed Himself to His disciples after Easter. Jesus was already a citizen of heaven, but He still walked on earth for the salvation of others. He said that believers are in Him as branches are in a vine (John 15:5). Paul says over 150 times that we are in Christ. And Hebrews 3:6 says that we are the very house of Christ.

Many of the promises in Scripture that we think of as part of the future are actually fulfilled in our lives right now. Christians are already ruling entire cities, changing whole countries, and determining the history of the world. Right now is the time to receive our assignment from the Lord and receive our rewards.

Prayer: We thank you, Lord, for making our very hearts your home. Turn us to yourself and enable us to show that Christ lives within us. In His name we ask this. Amen.

Greater Than Angels

Surely it is not with angels that he is concerned. Hebrews 2:16

Entire books have been written about angels. In the Old Testament, angels often served as go-betweens between God and His sinful people. And there are many cases in both the Old and New Testaments in which God’s revelation was given by an angel.

When God redeemed His people through the blood of Christ, however, He no longer needed angels as His go-betweens; Christ became our Mediator. This is one of the first things that Hebrews tells us about the greatness of our salvation. In the first chapter, it quotes seven Old Testament passages to show that Jesus is greater than any angel. Why does Hebrews do this? To prove without question that Christ is none other than the Son of God. Now, as those who believe in Jesus know, the angels stand between them and Satan’s hosts.

Hebrews also quotes Psalm 8, asking, “What is man?” (2:6). The thrilling answer is that, because Christ is now one with us and we with Him, we cannot be considered lower than the angels–we have then same dignity that they have.

These perfect creatures, whom we admire for their joy, mobility, and wisdom, are now our servants, for they help to guard us from evil. God has made us to be a little lower than Himself!

Prayer: Great God, we marvel in thankfulness at the miracle of new birth whereby we can become sons of God and brothers of Christ. In the name of Jesus, our Mediator, we pray. Amen.