TEXT: Hebrews 4:11-16 King James Version (KJV)
11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Please look for a quiet place to spend the first five minutes of your personal devotion to appreciate God for the sacrifice of His son Jesus.
CONTEMPLATION
In Africa, often than not, whenever worship is initiated, it is first and foremost with the consciousness of man trying to get the attention of certain deities or divine personalities. In order to get the full attention and favor of this deity, certain rituals are often employed. This is often because there is this sin consciousness in man and a need to appease an angry deity. Some have been able to accomplish this by offering the sacrifice of chicken, goat, ram, or any other thing to appease the gods. But the truth is that the efficacy of any sacrifice is often determined by the degree of impact it makes after the whole experience.
Some years back, a woman told me that she once visited a powerful witch doctor to help intervene so that her daughter who was facing immigration problems in Europe, would not be repatriated. She was told to get some items for a special ritual to be performed to help her attract the favor of the gods. The items included a very big he-goat, the biggest sizes of yam tubers, cooking oil and some other things.
In Nigeria, the prices of such items are normally very expensive during the Christmas festive season. To worsen the whole thing, she was financially down, yet she was able to borrow some money to add to the little she had in order to get it done. Right before her eyes, the goat was slaughtered and used with the other items to prepare a sumptuous meal. She said, just when the food was ready, they told her to leave. She said it was difficult for her to leave because she was hungry, but then she consoled herself with the hope that the sacrifice would work wonders. Unfortunately, before long, her daughter was parceled back to Nigeria.
Those who trust in powerful men to help them get results will always be disappointed. Access to God’s presence is available to all who come in faith by the atoning blood of Jesus. No other sacrifice is acceptable to bring you into the presence of God. Ignorance and lack of understanding is the reason we fail to obtain favor from God, Hebrews 11:6. The invisible God is reachable. Refuse to settle for the shadow.
PRACTICAL ISSUES
By the fall of the first man Adam, we inherited the sin nature, but by the atonement of the second Adam, Jesus, we have eternal redemption Eph 2:13-14
By the atonement of Jesus we have been given the Holy Spirit as the assurance of our restoration and communion with the Father
By our access through the blood and fellowship with the Spirit, the soul of man can now encounter heaven on earth. The choice is yours.
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