James 1 - Nathanael

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
James 1:19‭-‬20 NIV
http://bible.com/111/jas.1.19-20.NIV

James is such a practical letter! These verses spoke to me and reminded me that in those times when I feel anger rising, I should not allow it to grow and vent because my anger doesn't bring about God's righteousness.

Jesus, help me to reign in anger! I want your righteousness in my life and in those around me!

Hebrews 13 - Nathanael

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20‭-‬21 NIV
http://bible.com/111/heb.13.20-21.NIV

God gives us everything we need to do his will. He also changes us inside so that we are pleasing to him. What a good God!!

Thank you Jesus for your love and work in our lives!

Hebrews 12 - Nathanael

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:11 NIV
http://bible.com/111/heb.12.11.NIV

Amen! We don't like discipline but the rewards and benefits are many!

Hebrews - Debbie

I've read all of Hebrews

Hebrews 9 - Nathanael

Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Hebrews 9:27‭-‬28 NIV
http://bible.com/111/heb.9.27-28.NIV
Some important insights both for our present lives but also as we look forward to Christ's return.
First we see that we only live and die once, so this life isn't a practice but our one and only life. So we should live in such a way as to make this life count.

We also see that when Jesus returns he comes to complete our salvation!

Thank you Jesus!

Hebrews 5 - Nathanael

During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
Hebrews 5:7‭
These statements about Jesus are loaded with helpful and practical info that we can apply to our lives.
1) how Jesus prayed - loud and fervent cries and tears. Not a passive, quiet prayer
2) he was heard because of reverent submission- an amazing statement! Tells us about the importance of submitting completely to God
3) "heard" prayers don't always mean answered in the way we'd want. Jesus prayed for the cup of suffering to be removed from him. Of course he also submitted beautifully, saying "not my will but yours be done"

Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him
Hebrews 5:7‭-‬9 NIV
http://bible.com/111/heb.5.7-9.NIV

Suffering seems to be important for us to learn obedience. And obedience is required for eternal salvation provided by Jesus!

So Jesus, teach me to obey and submit completely to you! I need your love and mercy!

Hebrews 4 - Nathanael

Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. 
Hebrews 4:11‭
It is somewhat ironic that we souk make every effort to enter into rest: ie work hard to rest. But in God's rest is life! Clearly obstacles for us include disobedience that leads to death instead of rest. But we need God's help to be able to accomplish this. That is what is said in verse 16:

Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 NIV
http://bible.com/111/heb.4.11-16.NIV

When we sin and fail, our default reaction is to hide and run. But that is the opposite of what we need to do. We need to run to God. And Hebrews says "with confidence". That is because God loves us and has proven that love by dying for us. So God wants us to run to him and get help from him!

Thank you Jesus for your love and that you want me to run to you! Thank you for your mercy, grace and help!

Hebrews 4 - Randy

Verse 16: Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

I the proceeding verse we have "let us hold firmly to the faith we profess"

Its interesting isn't it- this is quite the promise, yet I, for one, seem to not be willing to go this far with "the faith we profess". 
I know that now, in my own life, I need to "receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need". Its all a matter of faith, faith that trusts God to be who he says he is and to fulfill his promises.  But, I must trust, be wiling to step out into the unknown, maybe better yet, step out without "me" controlling he situation.  Its funny, why would I trust myself over trusting God- to be fair, I'm the one who created this mess to begin with,
Sometimes we just need to read God's word and let it sink in.

Hebrews 3 - Nathanael

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called "Today," so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
Hebrews 3:13‭
We need each other in the body of Christ to encourage each other. We are often blind to our own faults, and as Hebrews points out, sin is quite deceitful. Sin tricks us, lies to us and makes our hearts hard so we don't detect what is happening. The kind and true word of a brother or sister in Christ is often what we need to be awakened to the truth!

We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.
Hebrews 3:14 NIV
http://bible.com/111/heb.3.13-14.NIV

Lord Jesus, hold onto me and keep me in you! I need your help and your love to keep strong to the end! I thank you for your love and faithfulness!

Hebrews Chapters 1-3 Debbie

I've read.

In Chapter 2:10 ...should make the "founder" of their salvation "perfect through suffering".    It makes me think that  if my savior was made perfect through suffering then if I respond right to suffering then he will make me into the person He wants me to be.

2:17 "...so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.  Propitiation - turning away God's wrath.  Thank you Jesus for providing a way out.

vs. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Heb. 3:6  ..but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son.  And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our

confidence and our boasting in our hope.    Holding fast our confidence spoke to me.  Vs. 7-19 spoke to me about not becoming hard hearted, or having an unbelieving heart, leading me to fall away from the living God.   And the warning at the end of the chapter, So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.  It makes me want to check myself and guard myself against unbelief or get hard towards God.

Hebrews 2 - Nathanael

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 2:18 NIV
http://bible.com/111/heb.2.18.NIV

Thanl you Jesus that you were made like us in every way though you did not sin. Thank you for suffering on my behalf and thank you for understanding our weaknesses and for having mercy on us!

1 Peter 5 -Wun-gwi

not pursuing dishonest gain,

Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith,

1 Peter 5: 2,8-9

Only God can rescue me from this horrible world that deceive me and made me proud of.

Help me Lord that I stand firm in the faith while I am living in this world!

2 Peter 1 - Nathanael

 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:8

This has always struck me as such a powerful statement and promise!  First off, who wants to be ineffective and unproductive?  No one!  Secondly, the implication is that there is a real risk for us to be ineffective and unproductive as followers of Jesus. If I am honest, there are definitely times that I have fallen into that category.  So what is the solution? Possessing these qualities in increasing measure.  In other words keep growing in the characteristics that Peter had just talked about.  And what is that?

Here they are:

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.

2 Peter 1:5-7

Obviously a lot can be said about each one of these.  Two observations: 1) we are to make every effort (it takes work to grow) 2) there is a progression ("add to your...")

We cannot grow in these by ourselves, but it takes the work of Jesus in our lives.  

One last comment:  Verse 9 adds that a corollary to not growing in these areas is forgetting that we have been cleansed from our past sins ( "But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind,forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins."

This probably happens in two forms: 1) habitual sin - I forget that I have been cleansed from past sins so I go back and keep sinning 2) pride - I think that I am good by my own strength and become proud and look down on others.  Both of these are bad and are indicators that we need to be growing in Jesus in the previous areas

So Jesus, please help me to keep growing and keep me focused on you!  Please help me to turn from sin and stay humble, recognizing that I am a sinner, saved by your mercy!

1 Peter 5 - Nathanael

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6‭-‬7 NIV
http://bible.com/111/1pe.5.6-7.NIV

Coming to Jesus starts with humility. Receiving his life, help and love starts with humility. We need to lay down our hands and run to him and receive from him. Casting our worries, our future, our lives on him because he loves us.
Thank you Jesus for your love!

1 Peter 4 - Nathanael - Suffering is good!

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
1 Peter 4:1-2 NIV

As people, we try to avoid suffering whenever possible.  Not only that but we also sometimes get upset and frustrated when, as followers of Jesus Christ, we face suffering - thinking subconsciously that we shouldn't suffer if we are doing good. 

Peter here points out an important truth: suffering purifies us.  It stops us from sinning!  It changes our focus so that we recognize what is really important.  When we are afraid of dying or see people who have died, it reminds us that life is short and we should focus on the important things.  In a similar way, when we face suffering, it forces us to seek God.  This is especially true when the suffering is a consequence of some hurtful activity we've done (e.g. smoking -> cancer -> stop smoking and never do it again).  It is also true that we grow most from difficulties that help change us.

So when we face suffering, let's remember to ask God for his purification, his help and his change!

1 Peter 3 - Nathanael

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
1 Peter 3:15 NIV
http://bible.com/111/1pe.3.15.NIV

How we say things is often as important as what we say. Not only should we be ready to tell about the hope we have, but we need to tell it with gentleness and respect. Otherwise our method destroys the message.

Titus 3- Wun-gwi

We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

This is good verse that reminding my previous life with full of sin and worldly desire and I was saved through the love of God because of his mercy.

Thank you Jesus.

Titus 2- Wun-gwi

⁹ Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, ¹⁰ and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

God is talking to me through these verses.

As an employee of my current job, I need to do my best and should not steal from them, such as my time, efforts.

Thank you Lord that you reminded me that my current job and life are provided by you I am thankful for that.

I am now in the full of joy!

Titus 2 - Nathanael

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
Titus 2:11‭-‬13 NIV
http://bible.com/111/tit.2.11-13.NIV

God's free gift to us is his son Jesus. Jesus teaches us to live godly and upright lives as we await his return.

Jesus, thank you for your love and mercy for us! Help me to live in a way that pleases you and brings glory to your name. I love you!

Titus 1 - Nathanael

They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain.
Titus 1:11 NIV
http://bible.com/111/tit.1.11.NIV

It is interesting that even so early in the church there were such problems. I guess the fact remains that wherever the kingdom of God is advancing, the devil is going to try all he can to stop and derail it.
Lord Jesus protect us from the evil one! Help us to follow you completely!