Hebrews 13 - Nathanael

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."   So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"   

Hebrews 13:5‭-‬6

Our hope is not in money because it cannot save us. But God can! In him we cam be confident and secure. 

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

Hebrews 13:‬17 NIV

A command to submit to church leader authority. Most men do not live like this. They want their wives to submit to them but they are unwilling to submit to others. 

http://bible.com/111/heb.13.5-17.NIV

Hebrews 11 - Nathanael

There is so much in this chapter tuary speaks to me, it is difficult to choose only a few. 

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. 

Hebrews 12:7

We all face hardships of many kinds. We are told to view those as God's work in our lives to train and form us into all that we can be. 

For what children are not disciplined by their father? Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 

Hebrews 12:9-10

God's goal is not for us to have difficult lives but to improve us and enable us to share in God's holiness. 

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

That is true - discipline is hard. But the long term benefits are amazingly good! 

http://bible.com/111/heb.12.7-11.NIV

Hebrews 11 - Nathanael

The faith chapter! 

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 

Hebrews 11:1

A good definition of faith: a certainty of what we don't yet have - based on God's promise and word.

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.  

Hebrews 11:3

An example based on the Scripture. We didn't see it happen but we believe God's word.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

Relating to our relationship with God, it is clear that faith - believing and trusting God is essential.

Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.  

Hebrews 11:16

Looking forward to the promise of heaven is part of faith.

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Hebrews 11:39‭-‬40 NIV

An interesting statement since clearly some of the promises they did receive such as Abraham having a son. And yet each one had promises that were not fulfilled during their life - the primary being related to the salvation found in Jesus. Together with us now we experience the salvation of Christ at the fullness of time. 

http://bible.com/111/heb.11.1-40.NIV

Hebrews 10 - Nathanael

Wow! Such powerful descriptions of God's mercy and salvation and the hope and privilege we have in Christ! 

Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 

Hebrews 10:11

Religion is powerless to change our help us. 

let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 

Hebrews 10:22

A command really - draw near to God with confidence because of Christ's work and us trusting in him. 

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 

Hebrews 10:23

Again an urging command: persevere

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  

Hebrews 10:24-25

More commands: spur one another on, don't stop meeting together

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 

Hebrews 10:26-27

A sober warning against deliberate sin.

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

Hebrews 10:‬36 NIV

A call to stay strong in following God! 

http://bible.com/111/heb.10.11-36.NIV

Hebrews 9 - Nathanael

 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!  

Hebrews 9:14

Thank you Jesus for giving yourself for us that we may be forgiven! 

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

There is no reincarnation, but in Christ Jesus we do get a second chance in this life. By ourselves we cannot make ourselves better or without sin. But praise be to God who has given us forgiveness and salvation on Jesus. We have been rescued from death to have new and real life in Jesus! 

http://bible.com/111/heb.9.10-28.NIV

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

This is such a powerful verse! First we learn more about how Jesus prayed: with fervent cries and tears. Next we see the importance of submission. Powerful! 

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 

Hebrews 5:11

This is such a striking accusation: you no longer try to understand! Wow! Lord, let that not be true of me! Help me to always ask and always seek! 

Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.

Hebrews 5:13 NIV

Advanced teaching is about righteousness! May we all attain to this! 

http://bible.com/111/heb.5.7-13.NIV

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

There are positive and negative examples for us in life and laid out in the scripture. We would do well to avoid the negative examples and follow the positive ones. We can go through life and just learn by our own experience but that is foolish since there are so many wrong paths and one true one. 

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 

Hebrews 4:12

God's word uncovers the foolishness and hiddenness and deceitfulness of sin in our lives and brings us to the truth. We should listen and then obey, submitting ourselves to God's word. 

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 

Hebrews 4:15

Thank you Jesus for being so merciful, for walking in our shoes and knowing our weakness in a very personal way. Thank you that you are righteous and holy as well. 

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

Thank you that you have made a way so that we can come to God's throne with confidence! That is amazing! 

http://bible.com/111/heb.4.11-16.NIV

Hebrews 3 - Nathanael

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 

Hebrews 3:12‭

Unbelief is a sin. It is based in rebellion and fear.  In times of doubt and difficulty we need to turn toward God, not away from him. 

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

Sin is deceitful. It tricks us into thinking it is ok and not a big deal. It lies and says it is good and normal and that we need it and that this is how God made us. It can be hard to recognized by ourselves at times.  That is why we need to encourage one another daily. 

So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

Hebrews 3:19 NIV

Unbelief is a very serious thing! It keeps is from God and his goodness and love for us. 

http://bible.com/111/heb.3.12-19.NIV

Titus 3 - Nathanael

Some really great instruction in very concise form: 

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.  

Titus 3:1‭-‬2

Very concise summary of how  we should live. 

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 

Titus 3:3‭-‬5

We must remember where we came from and how God had undeserved mercy on us. This helps us to live in humility and to reach out to others. 

This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.  

Titus 3:8

Devote to doing good. A life focus. 

Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 

Titus 3:1‭0

The three strike rule  existed before baseball. 

Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.

Titus 3:14 NIV

Doing good, providing for others, productive lives. Nice summary! 

http://bible.com/111/tit.3.1-14.NIV

Titus 2 - Nathanael

Paul gives instruction for things to teach various age, gender and  status groups. 

Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.  Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 

Titus 2:2‭-‬3‭

Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 

Titus 2:6,9

The slave instructions are good for employees, students and children add well. 

It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

Titus 2:12 NIV

A good instruction for all of us 

http://bible.com/111/tit.2.2-12.NIV

Hebrews 1 - Jason

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. (Heb. 1:3)

Jesus is far superior to any angel or spirit. Actually, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit existed before any of the angels were created.

Titus 1 - Nathanael

Paul gives instructions to Titus who is on the island of Crete.  One of his tasks is to appoint elders.  The qualifications that Paul lists are quite standards and really are a goal for any believer.

An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.

Titus 1:6

Just this qualification is a high bar, especially when looking at the children, that they are believers and not wild or disobedient.  I wonder how often we are taking these qualifications seriously.

Since an overseer manages God's household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.

Titus 1:7-8

Blameless is obviously a high standard :). Lord Jesus, please work in my life by your Holy Spirit that I may continue to follow you with all my heart and soul!

2 Timothy 4 - Nathanael

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 

2 Timothy 4:2

Be prepared at all times to serve God with the gifts you have. 

for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 

2 Timothy 4:10

I wonder what his love of the world was. Perhaps things were too difficult in this place or conditions sparce. Probably things were better in Thessalonica. We do often want to avoid hardship but we need to stay where God is working until he says to go. 

You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.  

2 Timothy 4:15

Contrary to some belief, as believers we should be wary of certain people who oppose the gospel. 

The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

2 Timothy 4:18 NIV

 No matter the difficulty God has our backs!

http://bible.com/111/2ti.4.2-18.NIV

Philemon - Jason

I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. (Phil. 1:10-12)

I think it's cool that Paul was asking Philemon to accept fellowship with a young man who was at one time not useful as a minister of God's work, but then he was changed by God and cleansed to become useful again for ministry.

2 Timothy 3 - Nathanael

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 

2 Timothy 3:12

Jesus said this too. I think that we as Christians try to avoid persecution at all cost. The problem is that it causes us to compromise and water down the good news. 

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 

2 Timothy 3:14

A call to perseverance. 

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16‭-‬17 NIV

God's word is powerful and extremely useful. If we want to be thoroughly equipped, we should love it, read it, memorize it, meditate on it and pattern our life after it. 

http://bible.com/111/2ti.3.12-17.NIV

2 Timothy 1 - Nathanael

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 

2 Timothy 1:6

Wr can have a gift of the Spirit but not have actualized its benefit or potential. 

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,  

2 Timothy 1:9

Our salvation is not based on us or what we have done but rests wholey in Christ. 

That is why I am suffering as I am.

Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

2 Timothy 1:12 NIV

Paul had entrusted his very life to Christ and he is certain that he will guard his life until the time of Christ's return or until he goes to be with Christ. 

http://bible.com/111/2ti.1.6-12.NIV

1 Timothy 5 - Nathanael

Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.  

1 Timothy 6:9‭-‬10

Money is an intoxicating idol. It is deceitfully alluring and traps us without our notice. We need money to live but that so easily turns to a love of money that ensnares us. It is important to take stock of our current situation and make efforts to be free from the snares that wrap around us. 

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

1 Timothy 6:‬17 NIV

What is great here is how God not only takes care of our needs but also richly provides for our enjoyment.

We must learn to trust in God and not money. 

http://bible.com/111/1ti.6.9-17.NIV

1 Timothy 4 - Nathanael

Closing words of wisdom to a spiritual son. 

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 

1 Timothy 4:7

There are things in life to avoid and things to focus on. One good focus is godliness. 

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 

1 Timothy 4:8

In fact, godliness can be pursued and grown in much like one would pursue physical training. 

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

1 Timothy 4:16 NIV

Right living and right teaching go hand in hand. Both are needed for living properly before God. 

http://bible.com/111/1ti.4.7-16.NIV

1 Timothy 3 - Nathanael

Paul gives to Timothy the qualifications for elders and deacons (ministers). These really are simply guidelines for all men and women to aim for. 

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

1 Timothy 3:1‭, ‬8‭-‬8‭, ‬11 NIV

http://bible.com/111/1ti.3.1-11.NIV

2 Timothy - Jason

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Tim. 1:7)

An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. (2 Tim. 2:5)

If anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. (2 Tim. 2:21)

All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted… (2 Tim. 3:12)

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim. 4:5)

1 Thessalonians 5 - Nathanael

Often at the end of a letter, Paul puts in a whole bunch of small statements, encouragements, admonitions, and instructions that are quite powerful. 

Here he gives quite a few. 

For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

1 Thessalonians 5:9

Here in his wrap up of end times he encourages us by saying that God's intent for us is for good and not harm. 

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.  

1 Thessalonians 5:15

Don't pay back wrong for wrong - 2nd commandment

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice, pray, give thanks. These are God's will for constant life action. 

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt reject every kind of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:19‭-‬20‭, ‬22 NIV

Don't ignore or throw out the things God says propheticly.

http://bible.com/111/1th.5.9-22.NIV