Jesus Never Changes

I grew up in churches with wooden tables placed right under the pulpit. It was where they placed elements for communion and flowers for funerals. On the front lip was inscribed today’s passage. Hebrews 13:8 was one of the first verses I became familiar with as I grappled with the meaning of its theology. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Even as a young child, I would see these words burnt into the wood on the table, and it gave me a quiet assurance that Jesus never changes.

Remember Those Who Struggle

The criminal justice system is a tough place to exist. I served as a chaplain at a correctional institution, otherwise known as a prison, for several years, and each week I would see the wear and tear on the men as they shuffled to the chapel. Granted, they had a place to sleep and three meals a day, which many down and out on the street do not, but the neighborhood is much rougher inside the bars than outside. The church needs to remember its brothers and sisters serving sentences for crimes they committed. Remember those who struggle.

How Patient Are You

Long road trips are something that our family loves to take. We have traveled all over the western United States by car. Most trips have taken fifteen hours one way, but some have taken more. People asked us how our children did, and they were fine. We stopped enough for food and gas that it wasn’t too arduous. They often responded, “I could never do that with my family.” That may be true, but it makes you wonder how patient are you.

‭‭PSALMS‬ ‭130:5

“I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope.”

The Psalmist has learned the value of being patient. This is another of the Ascent Psalms that the Jews would sing as they climbed the mountain to get to Jerusalem. It was a long, arduous journey that took patience on the part of the sojourner. They wanted to get to the temple to worship, but their soul had to wait for the journey to end. The trip from Galilee to Jerusalem taught them patience they would apply to other areas of their lives.

They Didn’t Know

When the disciples came down from the Mount of Transfiguration, they didn’t know that Jesus fulfilled all of the prophecies they grew up learning. They didn’t realize that John the Baptist

Faith That He Will Provide

Do you lay awake at night worrying about your bills? Have you stressed how you will put food on the table? If so, you are not alone. Not only have millions of people been in your place, but God sees your need and is able to provide. The disciples got into the boat and forgot…

LORD Help My Unbelief

Do me a favor and watch the video above. It is a clip from a sermon I preached over a month ago at the church I pastor, The Village Chapel. Jesus has just come down from the Mount of Transfiguration, and he encounters the dad with the son who is demon-possessed. He is throwing himself into fires and water. It’s so bad he can’t be left alone. Jesus is this man’s only hope. He asked, “Lord help my unbelief.”

Matthew 9:22-24

But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately, the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

Chaos Ensued

The disciples that didn’t go up on the mountain were confronted by this man. He was desperate. His whole life was altered when this boy was possessed because he couldn’t be left alone. Add the combative Pharisees on top, and you have a chaotic situation. Jesus enters this after a heavenly encounter with His Father on the mountain. What a downer, but He was prepared. He was a bit bummed His disciples did;t have the faith to cast the demon out.

Freedom is Coming

God will always do the right in your life. It might not make sense right now, but eventually, everything comes into focus. He sees everything happening to you and knows how to respond in the right way. He will deal with those who treat you wickedly. Keep your eyes on Jesus and trust the process. Freedom is coming. Don’t give up before He sets you free.

‭‭PSALMS‬ ‭129:4‬

“The LORD is righteous; He has cut in two the cords of the wicked.”

There are fifteen songs of ascent that the Jews would sing as they climbed the hills that led to Jerusalem. These songs were packed with a history of how God had saved them in the past and prayers for future protection. It is good to remember what God has done for you because it gives you hope for the future. Here the psalmist recalls how his enemies had plowed long furrows into his back. (Vs. 3) They were slaves in Egypt and laid low by many nations during the time of the Judges.

The Results of Discipline

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Wait till your father gets home?” For those who have, it has struck fear in their hearts while they waited for Dad to get off work to dole out the punishment for some disobedience they committed. My siblings and I had several instances where we waited for hours in suspense. Most of the time, it was much ado about nothing, but a few were pretty painful to the backside. The results of discipline should produce better behavior afterward. It did for a while, but soon I forgot the past pain.

‭‭HEBREWS‬ ‭12:11‬

“All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”

The writer of Hebrews spends several verses in chapter twelve talking about the discipline of the Lord. Some translations call it chastening. It means to punish for the purpose of instruction. In today’s passage, the focus is on the results of discipline. For a moment, discipline isn’t joyful, but eventually, it yields fruit which for believers is righteousness. The key is to focus on the result of the chastening and not the brief moment of discomfort.

Focus on Jesus

If you’ve read this devotion very long, one of the phrases you’ve heard me use repeatedly is “focus your eyes on Jesus.” Part of that comes from Colossians 3, which tells us to fix our mind on things above, and part of it comes from this passage. You will never go wrong when you focus on Jesus. He is the author and finisher of your faith. If you keep your mind on what He is concerned about, you will rarely venture off the path.

‭‭HEBREWS‬ ‭12:2

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Run the Race

The writer of Hebrews likens the Christian faith to running a race. This is why many think that Paul is the author of this book. This passage is similar to the ones in his epistles to Timothy. If you’re gonna run a race, you need to be lean and unencumbered with any excess weight. Hebrews 12:1 tells you to shed the sin and run with endurance because a great cloud of witnesses surrounds you. Then it goes on in verse two to say fix your eyes on Jesus because He is the one who made you who you are.

God Requires One Thing

I’ve met many people who have difficulty following Jesus because when they think about a Heavenly Father, they think about their earthly father and the emotional scars he caused. Nothing they did was ever good enough, and they only wanted the love and affection they never received. To trust a God they can’t see is difficult. God requires one thing, faith. Put your trust in Jesus, and you will please Him. Without it, it is impossible.

‭‭HEBREWS‬ ‭11:6

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

It is so easy to misinterpret this verse. So many people I know think the bigger the faith, the more God is pleased with you. Wrong! Reread the verse. It is impossible to please God unless you believe in Jesus, period! God is a rewarder of those who seek His Son. That pleases God, not some gigantic vision or bold step of faith. It is those who are devoted to Jesus and do not waver when things get tough! If you don’t believe in Jesus, you will never please God.