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

1 Thessalonians 4 - Nathanael

Paul gives instructions for holy and godly living (as he often does) and then encourages them with the hope of the resurrection of the dead and living with Christ! 

It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 

1 Thessalonians 4:3‭, ‬5

Here are some of the holy living commands. He also talks about loving one another more and more - godly living. 

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:16‭-‬18 NIV

An end- time description of what will happen when Christ returns. The dead in Christ will rise and those in Christ still living will join Christ in the clouds and both will live with him forever. 

http://bible.com/111/1th.4.3-18.NIV

1 Thessalonians 3 - Nathanael

Paul as a spiritual father is missing his children and longs to see them. He is encouraged that they are still following Jesus though they are facing persecutions. He prays this prayer of blessing on them: 

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

1 Thessalonians 3:12‭-‬13 NIV

http://bible.com/111/1th.3.12-13.NIV

1 Thessalonians 1 - Nathanael

We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.  

1 Thessalonians 1:3

We often get pulled between the two sides of grace and works and need to understand from passages like this the balance between them. 

Here we see work produced by faith.  This is fully consistent with Paul's other statements about faith and work and demonstrates that works spring from faith (but not the other way around). As James says, "faith without works is dead."

You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 1:3‭, ‬6 NIV

They were suffering severely but still found joy from the Holy Spirit as the received the good news. 

http://bible.com/111/1th.1.3-6.NIV