Author: admin

Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

¹¹ Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.¹² There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

¹³ Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— ¹⁴ yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.¹⁵ Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶ As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. ¹⁷ So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: Quarrels and fights spring from within and are fostered by worldliness; love of the world and love of God cannot coexist; Christians must resist the devil and draw near to God. Christians are not to criticize others and should be submit themselves humbly to God.
2. Setting goals and making plans can be good. However, when we plan, we’d meet the temptation to think that we are in control of our lives and our future and pushes God away from our lives. When God is not at the centre of our planning and our lives, we are not in His will.
3. If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, how would your attitude toward life today be different?  What future plans do you often dwell on?  In what area of your life do you need to turn your plans over to God’s will?
4. If God were to intervene your life plan, and rearrange it for you, will you be willing?  Are you willing to let go and let God take charge of your plan though you may face the unknown and follow the path laid out by God?  In fact, it’s only when you allow God to direct your path, can you truly live out the abundant life God has planned for you.

Prayer & Journaling:

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 27:21-24

²¹ The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
    and a man is tested by his praise.
²² Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle
    along with crushed grain,
    yet his folly will not depart from him.

²¹ The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
    and a man is tested by his praise.
²² Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle
    along with crushed grain,
    yet his folly will not depart from him.

Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

¹ Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. ² For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. ³ If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. ⁴ Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! ⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. ⁷ For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. ¹⁰ From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. ¹¹ Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? ¹² Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: What we say about others say more about us than about them. Even teachers must watch their tongues which must be tamed and harnessed. True wisdom is not ambitious but pure and peace-loving.
2. If you were to record everything you said last week to have it played back during church service, what would you want to erase from the recording?
3. Meditate on vv9-10. Have you been doing more praising or cursing? What are some ways that you can praise and encourage others more?
4. Is there a family member, a friend or colleague, to whom you may say some encouraging words? During this week, pray for one particular person with whom you find it difficult to speak with love. And pray that God will help you to speak words of kindness and grace to this person and others.

Prayer & Journaling:

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 27:17-20

¹⁷ Iron sharpens iron,
    and one man sharpens another.

¹⁸ Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,
    and he who guards his master will be honored.
¹⁹ As in water face reflects face,
    so the heart of man reflects the man.
²⁰ Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied,
    and never satisfied are the eyes of man.

Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

¹ James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:

Greetings.

² Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, ³ for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴ And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

⁹ Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, ¹⁰ and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. ¹¹ For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: God provides wisdom to face trails and perspective on poverty.  God does not tempt us to do evil, He gives only good gifts.  God’s word can save us from anger and moral filth, but only if we practice it.  The truly religious person cares for those in distress.
2. Life involves many kinds of testing; it is in God that the testing of our faith produces endurance and because of Him, we are able to grow mature.  When we experience difficult times—financial or relationship—those are the times when we are most able to focus and be dependent on God. These times can be filled with joy when we realise that He is strong when we are weak.
3. Recalling a trial you have experienced, what pressures did it bring on your faith?  What “wisdom” did you gain through it?
4. In this wealth-chasing modern society, what do vv 9-11 mean to you?  What might James say you should “boast in”?  Will you heed his teaching?  Why?

Prayer & Journaling:

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 27:9-12

⁹ Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
    and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.
¹⁰ Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend,
    and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity.
Better is a neighbor who is near
    than a brother who is far away.
¹¹ Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad,
    that I may answer him who reproaches me.
¹² The prudent sees danger and hides himself,
    but the simple go on and suffer for it.

Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

¹ Let brotherly love continue. ² Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.³ Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. ⁴ Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. ⁵ Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ⁶ So we can confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

⁷ Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: The Christian’s faith journey is a race which brings glory to God by the way the runners behave. In the concluding chapter, the author wrote down a variety of duties to God and humanity. Together they reveal an exalted level of personal morality and duty.
2. How do we find contentment when everything in our society shouts at us, luring us to desire more? Just remember that in God you already possess everything.
3. The stock market can fall, and you will lose everything. Thieves can break in and your possessions will disappear. The economy can crash and interest rates rise. In this world there simply is no security in wealth, or the things that money can buy. But when God is with you, and when you have His promise, “I will never leave you”, you enjoy the ultimate security. There is nothing that can threaten you when you walk hand in hand with the Lord.
4. Take several minutes to explore your life in light of this instruction “Keep your life free from love of money”.  How do you relate to material things?  Do you often wish you had more?  Do you feel that nothing can harm you because of what you have?  What fears do you have about God letting you down?  What would it be like to “be content with what I have”?  Talk with Him about this subject.  Attentively listen for his input.
5. Prayer.  “May I keep my life free from the love of money and be content with what I have. You have said, ‘I will never leave you, nor will I forsake you.’”   Pause to notice your internal reaction to what you’re saying.  Ask God to change your reluctance and unwillingness.

Prayer & Journaling:

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 27:5-8

⁵ Better is open rebuke
    than hidden love.
⁶ Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
    profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
⁷ One who is full loathes honey,
    but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.
⁸ Like a bird that strays from its nest
    is a man who strays from his home.

Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,² looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

³ Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. ⁴ In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.⁵ And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. ⁶ For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

⁷ It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? ⁸ If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. ⁹ Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? ¹⁰ For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. ¹¹ For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: Jesus and the cloud of witnesses urge us to wrestle against sin. We are to view hardship as God’s discipline of dearly loved sons and strengthen our resolve to live holy lives. We are to pursue peace and holiness.  And we are not to despise God’s kingdom.
2. Here the author asks us to view hardship and suffering as discipline. God has not abandoned Christ’s followers. God is simply treating them as any wise father treats dearly loved children. This may seem strange, but this perspective makes any hardship we face so much easier. We no longer cringe away and wonder what we’ve done that God should punish us. Instead we reach up in our pain convinced that even our suffering is an expression of the love of God.
3. How might God use the “hardship” to discipline (train) you?  Sit quietly for a while and see what God brings to mind.  How might you cooperate better with God in this training?  Take time to listen.
4. Pray.  Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin.  Take some time to confess and repent before the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.

Prayer & Journaling:

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today  27:1-4

¹ Do not boast about tomorrow,
    for you do not know what a day may bring.
² Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
    a stranger, and not your own lips.
³ A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty,
    but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
⁴ Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming,
    but who can stand before jealousy?

Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

¹ Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. ² For by it the people of old received their commendation. ³ By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

³² And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— ³³ who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. ³⁵ Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. ³⁶ Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— ³⁸ of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

³⁹ And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, ⁴⁰ since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: Faith is more clearly expressed in the way people live than in what they claim to believe. The nature and value of faith are revealed and illustrated in this honor roll of Old Testament saints. (If time allows, read all Hebrews 11, recall the stories as each name comes up.)
   1. To many today, faith seems insubstantial for it is persistently holding on to notions that can’t be proven. In Scripture, the reverse is true. Faith is confident expectation that what we cannot see is more solid and real than the material universe.  The root of this kind of faith is our conviction that “the universe was created by the word of God”.  God has priority over things we can taste, touch, see and feel.  God is more real than they are, because God is the source of their existence.
   2. Faith does not guarantee anyone a life free of stress or pain.  Many have suffered and even died for their faith.  Yet faith won for each the commendation of God. Faith wins even more for us. The Old Testament saints looked forward to a salvation they could not understand. We look back to a salvation assured by the cross on Calvary. And through the Spirit of God we enjoy a relationship with the Lord which can be more real to us than to the Old Testament saints.
   3. Listen to this song and pray for the faith you need in your life right now to do God’s will and that God will find you faithful.  “Find us Faithful” by Steve Green, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zesV09UAytk

Prayer & Journaling:

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 26:24-28

²⁴ Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips
    and harbors deceit in his heart;
²⁵ when he speaks graciously, believe him not,
    for there are seven abominations in his heart;
²⁶ though his hatred be covered with deception,
    his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

²⁷ Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
    and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
²⁸ A lying tongue hates its victims,
    and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

²⁶ For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.²⁸ Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses.²⁹ How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” ³¹ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: Repeated Old Testament sacrifices could not make worshipers perfect.  But we are made holy by the sacrifice of Jesus.  We must hold firmly to our hope in Christ, resist to sin deliberately and persevere in doing good till Jesus comes.
2. Both v23 mentions: “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering”.  Many Christians feel the tension of being Christians in this secular society and find it difficult to share (confess) their faith with others.  When was the last time you felt free to express your faith in Jesus Christ and the hope that this faith gives you?
3. Christians don’t achieve holiness alone.  We achieve holiness as we share our lives with others, give and receive encouragement, spurring one another on to love and to good deeds. God has given us Christ’s church for support and assistance. Christian fellowship and gatherings provide opportunities for believers to care for one another, encourage one another, etc.
4. This week, share in your cell the difficulty you have in sharing your faith with others.  Ask the other members to pray for you and to encourage each other.

Prayer & Journaling:

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 26:20-23

²⁰ For lack of wood the fire goes out,
    and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
²¹ As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
    so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
²² The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
    they go down into the inner parts of the body.
²³ Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel
    are fervent lips with an evil heart.

Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

⁶ These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, ⁷ but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. ⁸ By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing ⁹ (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, ¹⁰ but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

²³ Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴ For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. ²⁵ Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own,²⁶ for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. ²⁷ And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, ²⁸ so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: The focus of Old Testament worship was the blood sacrifice offered on the Day of Atonement.  However that repeated sacrifice was unable to cleanse worshipers.  Christ’s blood, on the other hand, cleanses us and brings us forgiveness.  His one sacrifice brings full salvation.
2. There was a kidney patient, whose dialysis machine kept him alive.  Yet he dreaded the process.  The kidney dialysis machine that kept him alive also reminded him of his illness.  He was not free, but bound to return to the machine to have his blood purified again and again.  Away from it, his sickness quickly took hold on his body, and sapped all his strength.
3. That’s just what this chapter says about the Old Testament system (vv 6-10).  The repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament system reminded worshipers of their continuing desperate condition.  But, the one sacrifice of Christ reminds us of His total victory (vv24-25).  The blood of Christ has cleansed us from all sin!  By the once for all sacrifice of Jesus, we are forgiven, made well, and have the assurance that the victory we need in life has already been won!
4. Does the fact that Christ died to take away your sins free you to serve him more? Or make you spiritually “lazy”?  Why?

Prayer & Journaling:

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 26:17-19

¹⁷ Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own
    is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
¹⁸ Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death
¹⁹ is the man who deceives his neighbor
    and says, “I am only joking!”

Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

⁸ For he finds fault with them when he says:

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,
⁹ 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.
For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.
¹⁰ For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
¹¹ And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.
¹² For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”

¹³ 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.

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: The ministry of Jesus Christ as our High Priest involves a better covenant, a better sanctuary, and a better sacrifice.  Christ has instituted the promised new covenant which brings forgiveness and renewal to all who believe.
2. The old system of Law didn’t work and was “becoming obsolete and growing old”.  The New Covenant is superior for two things:  First, it provides total forgiveness for all our wicked acts (v 12) and God no longer holds us accountable for our sins.  Second, the New Covenant operates to “put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts”.  The Old Covenant engraved standards on tablets of stone that men were unable to meet.  The New Covenant engraves the desire to please God in our heart and moves us to what Law demanded, but could not produce.
3. Do you function better under external restraint (the law) or inner constraint (God’s Spirit) (v. 10)? Why?
4. What happens to you when you say to God, “Thank you for forgiving and forgetting my sin”?

Prayer & Journaling:

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 26:13-16

¹³ The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road!
    There is a lion in the streets!”
¹⁴ As a door turns on its hinges,
    so does a sluggard on his bed.
¹⁵ The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
    it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.
¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
    than seven men who can answer sensibly.

Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

¹⁸ For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness ¹⁹ (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

²⁰ And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, ²¹ but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:

“The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
‘You are a priest forever.’”

²² This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.

²³ The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, ²⁴ but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. ²⁵ Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

²⁶ For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. ²⁷ He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. ²⁸ For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: Christ’s high priesthood is superior to the Levitical one, and is of a totally different order. Therefore elements of Mosaic law and its mortal priesthood are replaced by Christ’s priesthood.
2. The author quoted Ps 110:4 to indicate that God provided us a Priest who could guarantee us salvation, for He made an oath that “You are a priest forever”.  Jesus Christ being the Priest forever means that God guarantees that the purposes He had in mind in Christ’s death will be fulfilled, “a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God”.
3. We are not just saved by Jesus from punishment for our sins.  We are being saved from sin’s insidious control of our thoughts and actions daily. Jesus is the source of our forgiveness and the source of our transformation as well.
4. What does it mean to you that Christ is able to save you “to the uttermost”?  Think about it for a little while.  Then praise God for giving you a high priest over all in Jesus Christ.

Prayer & Journaling:

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 26:9-12

⁹ Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard
    is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
¹⁰ Like an archer who wounds everyone
    is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.
¹¹ Like a dog that returns to his vomit
    is a fool who repeats his folly.
¹² Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?
    There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

¹³ For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, ¹⁴ saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.”¹⁵ And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. ¹⁶ For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. ¹⁷ So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, ¹⁸ so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. ¹⁹ We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, ²⁰ where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: To reach maturity, Christians must build on the foundation of God’s salvation and leave the elementary teachings and press on to maturity. When we are rooted in faith, we will produce the fruit that accompanies salvation.  The author concluded this warning with a word of hope to his readers – We are rested on the unbreakable promises God has made to us in Jesus Christ.
2. God took an elaborate way to reassure Abraham of His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to him (v13, ref Gen. 22:15-18).  He is doing so to us as well. God, who doesn’t lie, has not only promised to bless us.  God sealed His promise with an oath, which is executed in the blood of His one and only Son. God wouldn’t lie in the first place. But God would never ever consider violating an oath that He made at such unimaginable cost.
3. Why did God take such pains to confirm His promise? Because He knew how vulnerable we are to fear and doubt. He knew how weak our faith becomes at times. And so, not because He needed to, but as an anchor for the hope we have in Christ, God promised, and He swore His oath – to reassure us.
4. What a gracious God we have. And how little cause we have to doubt Him. In Jesus we have “a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul”.
5. How does Jesus fulfill your deepest aspirations and help you to go on to maturity in your faith journey?

Prayer & Journaling:

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 26:5-8

⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly,
    lest he be wise in his own eyes.
⁶ Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool
    cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
⁷ Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless,
    is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
⁸ Like one who binds the stone in the sling
    is one who gives honor to a fool.

Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

⁷ In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. ⁸ Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. ⁹ And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, ¹⁰ being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

¹¹ About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. ¹² For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, ¹³ for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Reflection:

1. Chapter at a Glance: With Jesus as our High Priest, we can approach God’s throne with confidence.  The author once again warned against apostasy and encouraged them to grow into maturity.
2. The author was upset that his readers had not realized what a wonderful High Priest they had in Jesus and gone on to maturity.  He explained that the way to become mature in faith is by constantly using the truth God has revealed to distinguish good from evil.
3. The difference between “milk” and “meat” is not between a little knowledge and a lot.  The difference is found in the way we process Scripture.  For those who hear but do not apply Scripture, the truths they know are milk. But to those who hear and apply the Word of God, the same truths become solid and sustaining meat.
4. How would you describe your spiritual appetite now?  Why?  How would you improve your spiritual appetite?  Pray for a sustained hunger for God’s word to satisfy your spiritual development.

Prayer & Journaling:

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 26:1-4

¹ Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
    so honor is not fitting for a fool.
² Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
    a curse that is causeless does not alight.
³ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
    and a rod for the back of fools.
⁴ Answer not a fool according to his folly,
    lest you be like him yourself.

Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

⁸ For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. ⁹ So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God,¹⁰ for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

¹¹ Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. ¹² For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³ And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

¹⁴ Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Reflection:

1. Chapter at a Glance: The promise of entering God’s rest still stands for us as it did in the time of Moses, Joshua and David.  We enter that rest through a faith expressed in obedience to God’s living and active Word.
2. “But you don’t understand” are perhaps the most common words we are likely to say or to hear. Each of us has a tendency to think that our troubles, our temptations, are unique. They’re not. We are tempted through the same avenue – through relationships with others, through vulnerability to pain, through pressures beyond his or her control, etc.
3. Jesus also went through our experiences. In His humanity Christ experienced every kind of temptation – every vulnerability of mankind. He felt the pain of rejection, the pangs of hunger, the hostility of the crowds, the fear of His coming death. And because He knows exactly how painful it is to be a human being, He is able to “sympathize with our weaknesses”.
4. Next time when you are hurting, think about Jesus, remember how completely He understands. Then, without hesitation, come confidently to the throne, where God dispenses grace, and receive the mercy and help He is so eager to pour out on you.

Prayer & Journaling:

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 25:25-28

²⁵ Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
    so is good news from a far country.
²⁶ Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
    is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
²⁷ It is not good to eat much honey,
    nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.
²⁸ A man without self-control
    is like a city broken into and left without walls.