Hosea 10-12; Psalms 73; Hebrews 4

Many Benefits
Hebrews 4
This epistle was written to wavering Jewish believers, encouraging them to stand fast in their faith. Hebrews chapter 4 carries on the declaration of the superiority of Christ Jesus’ ministry. The writer states that entering into the Sabbath rest means to accept God’s plan for us to cease from our own efforts for salvation. Man wants to add to the plan of salvation and thereby go against God’s provision, sometimes in willful disobedience. The author of Hebrews encourages us to not make the same mistake by rejecting God’s Sabbath rest in Jesus Christ.
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience” Hebrews 4:10-11
Just as God rested from His work of creation, the one who trusts in Christ rests in what God has done for him. Here are just a few of the many benefits we have as believers in Christ and every one of these statements is true:
• I am loved. 1 John 3:3
• I am a child of God. John 1:12
• I am redeemed and forgiven. Colossians 1:14
• I am a new creation because I am in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17
• I do not have a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
• I have direct access to God. Ephesians 2:18
• I am chosen to bear fruit. John 15:16
• I have been given exceedingly great and precious promises by God by which I share His nature. 2 Peter 1:4
• I can always know the presence of God because He never leaves me. Hebrews 13:5
• God works in me to help me do the things He wants me to do. Philippians 2:13
• I can ask God for wisdom and He will give me what I need. James 1:5

Let us enter into God’s rest, and in our daily life begin to learn a dependence upon the Holy Spirit’s help. We are confident as believers of two great provisions in our faith:
1. The Word of God, which reveals whether a person is living a spiritual life.
2. The ministry of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, is able to bring us into immediate fellowship with God.

Praise His Name, for He is ever interceding on our behalf.
Pastor Kim

Next Reading: Hos. 13-14; Ps 100,102; Heb 5