SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 06-03-03
My Worship Time Focus: Keep looking
forward
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference:
Hebrews 11:15-16
1. Message of the
verse: “15 If they had been thinking of
the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 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.”
(NIV) “If they had meant the
country they came from, they would have found a way to go back. But they were looking for a better place, a
heavenly homeland. That is why God is
not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a heavenly city for
them.” (NLT)
The writer is making it clear to his readers that these early
people of God, whom He called from another land into the promised land, were
not thinking about going back to that land, they were looking forward to a
heavenly home, a home that God has made for them. I believe that one of the reasons that the
writer has written in this way is to encourage the Jewish believers not to look
back to Judaism, but to look forward to serving Jesus Christ in spite of the
troubles that they were going through, and to look forward to going to the city
that God has made for them. He concludes
verse 16, by saying that God is not ashamed to be called their God.
2. Spiritual
meaning for my life today: The phrase
that says “this earth is not my home I just a passing through” is a phrase that
these early people of God must have known well.
As a believer I am not to become too attached to the things that this
world has to offer because I can take none of it with me to my real home, and
it would only slow me down in my work for the Lord. The Lord is in control of all things in my
life and I must say that in a very real way I am glade to live on less money
for the simple reason that I am not responsible for so many things. When our income was higher I can truthfully
say that I had little peace about it, so if the Lord does bless us with the
return of our money then I do believe that we will do better with less income,
and even perhaps will be able to give more to the Lord’s work too.
The Word of God was
challenging, refreshing, and convicting to my heart as I read and studied it this
morning.
My Steps of Faith Today:
To continue to believe in the promises
of the Lord that He has graciously included in His Word for me as a believer
concerning taking care of me and my family and also that He is control of all
things and promises to work them out for His glory and for our good.
Memory verses for the
week: Psalm 40:14-16
14. Let those be ashamed and humiliated together who
seek my life to destroy it; Let those be turned back and dishonored who delight
in my hurt.
15. Let those be appalled because of their shame who say
to me “Aha, aha!”
16. Let all who seek Thee rejoice and be glade in Thee,
Let those who love Thy salvation say continually, “The Lord be magnified!”
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