Hebrews Chapters 11 Part 2

Hebrews 11:5 – 6 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 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.

Enoch’s story is in Genesis 5: 18-24. It seems that Enoch started his walk with God after his first son was born. Many times becoming parents brings people to church. All of a sudden we are given this awesome responsibility for someone else’s life and our priorities begin to straighten out.

If you walk with someone you have to go in the same direction, don’t you? If I were taking a walk with my husband and he went one way and I the other, we wouldn’t be walking together. Or if we started off together and I turned off and he kept going, we wouldn’t be walking together. Or if I walked really fast and he walked really slow.

We need to go in God’s direction and accept His timing. Not insist on our own. We need to ask ourselves what adjustments must we make to our schedules, to our attitudes, to our ambitions, our personal habits – so that we can truly walk with God. If we don’t know His pace or direction we can’t do it. We find this out (His pace and direction) through prayer and reading the Bible and spending time with Him.

God really wants us to spend time walking and talking with Him. He had that with Adam and Eve in the garden. He created us for fellowship. Enoch walked with God for 300 years and became increasingly aware of His presence and love. The Bible doesn’t say it was a drudgery or he got tired of it. What is keeping you from walking with God?

The second part of this (verse 6) is where we are told it is impossible to please God without faith. He says we need to believe in God and believe He is interested in us. Even the demons know He exists! We are called to have a relationship with Him. Where it says in that verse, “He rewards those who earnestly seek Him” my application Bible answers a question we ask all the time – using this sentence – “Sometimes we wonder about the fate of those who haven’t heard of Christ and have not even had a Bible to read. God assures us that those who honestly seek Him, who act in faith on the knowledge of God that they possess, will be rewarded. Those who hear the gospel are responsible for what they have heard.”

Less and less people today have not heard of Christ. His disciples have done a good job taking His message to all nations. What this says to me is, we don’t need to worry about babies that die or the mentally disabled, but anyone who has heard and is capable of understanding – either accepts or rejects Him.

Part II of The Journey

We all know the story of Abraham. We all know there are consequences to any action we take. What we do can set into motion a series of events that may continue long after we’re gone. Unfortunately, when we are making decisions most of us only think of the immediate consequences. These are often misleading because they are short lived.

Abraham had a choice to make. His decision was between setting out with his family and belongings to parts unknown or staying right where he was. He had to decide between the security of what he already had and the uncertainty of traveling under God’s direction. All he had to go on was God’s promise to guide and bless him.

Abraham could hardly have been expected to visualize how much of the future was resting on his decision to follow God, but his obedience affected the history of the world. His decision set into motion the development of the nation that God would eventually use as His own when He came to earth Himself.

When Jesus Christ came to earth, God’s promise was fulfilled: through Abraham the entire world was blessed.

You probably don’t know the long-term effects of most of the decisions you make. But, shouldn’t the fact that there will be long term results cause you to think carefully and seek God’s guidance as you make choices and take action every day?

Abraham never doubted that God would fulfill His promise. Although Abraham’s life was still marked by mistakes, sins and failure it was also marked by big wisdom and goodness. He constantly trusted God and his faith was strengthened by the obstacles he faced. His life was an example of faith in action.

Abraham left a flourishing city, a city which had 2 story villas each with 13 and 14 rooms, whose walls were whitewashed plaster. A city where education was of a high standard. But, in spite of this advanced civilization Ur was steeped in idolatry.

God called Abraham to “leave your country and your people…and go to the land I will show you.” Taking his father Terah, his nephew Lot and his wife Sarah they traveled 600 miles from Ur to Haran. They stayed there for some time; his father died there and then, again, God called Abraham. He was to leave this place – another city noted for its idolatry and they went another 600 miles south to Canaan. Abraham set out on an adventure completely dependent on God, but blazing a way that generations would follow.

Part of our journey is to be spiritually fruitful. Jesus said in John 7:37-38: "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." As Christians we can be living water satisfying people’s thirst by pointing them to the source, Jesus Christ.

We may be asked along our journey to realize we love God more than anything else – by God asking us to give up something or even not asking – just allowing it to be taken –

You remember the story of Isaac. God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son.
God probably won’t tell you to kill your child, but do you cling too tightly to your spouse’s or child’s time when they may be used for others who need to know God through them?

Other sacrifices to consider: have you ever given a monetary gift that was a sacrifice? Opened your home to a needy person just because you love God? Have you sacrificed your own time?

Some things you may need to give up may be: habits, sins or ambitions that hinder you and your family from obedience to God.

On our journey we will come to forks in the road where we will have to make decisions. For instance: should we stay close to a church where our family may best be taught and molded in God’s work or follow some wordly pursuit?

We need to be watchful and aware. We need to think about the things that happen, not just go through life in a fog. We need to live life on purpose.

Here are a few more thoughts about walking with Jesus –

If I go for a walk with a friend and when we get to the end of my driveway she turns left and I turn right – we aren’t walking together. If we go the same way, but I walk really fast and she walks really slowly – we won’t walk together. Part of the reason for the walk is to enjoy time together.

It’s also easiest to travel lightly on a journey. Not carry a lot of “baggage” –which can either mean carrying around our past, unforgiveness or sins or being tied to material things.

Abraham’s journey was one step at a time – that’s all we need to do – we take a step in faith and God will lead us.

God calls us to walk with Him. To learn from Him and have a relationship with Him. Our fullest spiritual maturity is to be like God in character – we’re not done until we achieve that.

Will you commit yourself to follow Abraham in a new walk of faith – the highest walk of faith, that of sacrifice and love to God?

Part I of The Journey

This is the message I wrote for a church retreat

In our modern world of high-speed travel it’s easy to hop into a car or on a train or plane and race to our destination with little regard for the experience of travel.

My dad worked for United Airlines my whole life and for the first 22 years of my life I flew on an airline pass. My sisters and brother and I were expected to dress up. Girls wore dresses, my mom wore nylons and my dad a suit. We were usually bumped up to first class and the trip was as special as the destination.

Fast forward a couple decades to me going along on some my husband’s business trips to: Singapore, Sao Paulo, Europe or Malaysia. We flew business class because he was on business (and I was a travel agent!) – which was nice – but the attitude of the people boarding the planes was “lets get this LONG flight over.” I remember one lady even changed into a sweatsuit right in the aisle!

Although nowadays, when we think about travel time – it’s usually with impatience to arrive, somewhere a saying became popular: “the journey is as important as the destination.”

If we were to look back over our lives as a journey, then every experience would become significant and every step a bridge from one stage of life to the next. A journey is not just leaving point A and arriving at point B. Much happens in between!

I invite you today to view your life as a journey. There have been and will be roadblocks, maybe a few accidents, hard to climb hills, curving roads that make you a little sick to your stomach, but with God as your navigator you know you’ve been on the best road and will be on the best road. And you know you’ll arrive at your destination!

On our journey we need to live life on purpose. We need to set Biblical priorities. To look for the good in trials so they can be used for our growth and God’s glory.

We need to establish routine habits of worship, prayer, study, fellowship and righteous behavior. We need to get away from temptations and examine our hearts regularly and confess all known sin. Sin interferes with our relationship with God. Personal purity and moral integrity is the standard for Bible believing Christians.

We need to develop a support system. Cultivate deep spiritual friendships. We should chose as our models and friends those who are godly and truthful. All of these things take purposeful thought and then action.

No matter how many years we live on earth, compared to eternity our journey is short! We should live life for God today. Then no matter when our lives end, we will have fulfilled God’s plan for ourselves.

God has given us much direction on how to have a great journey. He tells us in countless ways, everyday that He has plans for us and will never forsake us – if we will just stop, look and listen to Him.

He puts the Holy Spirit into all believers. In a way the Spirit can be likened to our conscious, reminding us to do something right or stop doing something wrong.

The Bible is full of advice about how to live life in such a way that gives us a clear conscience and makes us pleasing to God. Micah 6:8 tells us to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God. Isaiah 56:1 tells us to keep justice and do righteousness. Isaiah 33:15 says to walk righteously and speak uprightly, to despise gain of oppressions, not accept bribes or look at evil.

Read the book of Exodus. This book is about going forward. About hoping what you are going to is better then what you left behind. It’s also a book about learning that the only way to be truly free is to put God first in your life and to treat other people justly.

When the book of Exodus was written there were many people who thought there were a large number of gods and goddesses. Others thought there might be one creator-god, but that he was too far away to be concerned with the everyday affairs of people’s lives. The writer of Exodus makes it clear he believes there is one God and that He is a God who comes near to people. Who makes Himself known. One who has a purpose for men’s lives and He makes it known to them.

Proverbs 23:7 tells us, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” And to that end Paul tells us in (PHIL 4:8) "Finally, Brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

John 8:29 is a great goal for our lives: “I always do what is pleasing to Him.”

There’s a saying you may have heard: “Be true in the small things – it is on those who faithfully and ungrudgingly accept the simple duties of life that the world is built. It is never to be forgotten that in the everyday duties of life we make or mar a destiny and we win or lose a crown.”

A true servant of God is someone who helps another succeed. 1 Thess. 5:11 tells us; “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” You can never speak a fine word too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.

On our journey we should learn all we can from our personal problems, so that we can fulfill a ministry of comfort, just as Jesus did. We are surrounded by hurting people. We should be approachable and available to them.

And rather than just give personal advice, how much better would it be for Christians to share God’s loving promises.

Our natural tendency when we have a problem is to rush into a quick fix. Do something right away to get rid of the problem.

God tells us clearly in the Bible to “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

That’s the first thing a Christian should do in any situation. Being still is asking for God’s direction and then listening to what He says. He may want to teach us something through our trial to tell someone else. Jesus said, “What I tell you in the dark speak in the daylight.” (Matthew 10:27) We are called to love others, comfort them and show them that God loves them.

When we are hurrying and busy, we are only thinking of ourselves. When we stop and let God order and guide our thoughts, they turn first to Him. Thinking of Him first is natural and gives us peace. We were created to be in a relationship with our creator.

Call upon the Lord

From the story of Enosh in Genesis 4:26
Today God seeks individuals who, because they realize their weakness and confess their need of God’s strength, will call upon God through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who reveals Him to us. He promises to fill the consciously hungry (Matthew 5:6) and to supply the need of those who know they are spiritually poor. (Rev.3:17-21)
However, we receive in proportion as we choose to take the time to “call upon Him” in humble and earnest prayer. We “do not have” because we “do not ask God.” (James 4:2)

Enoch
From the story of Enoch found in the book of Genesis: What profound fulfillment of personality Enoch must have experienced as he set his heart with a holy ambition to walk with God daily for the rest of his life! May we all choose to have such a holy ambition for ourselves!

More on Prayer from Growing Your Soul

- Prayer also requires wholehearted honesty – which should probably go without saying. (Isaiah 59:1-2) Unworthy thoughts and sinful deeds hinder communication with God. He wants humility and authenticity. God knows everything, including our attitudes. We cannot bluff Him. Sometimes we almost convince ourselves of something with our self-delusion, our rationalization and half-truths. Honest prayer changes that.

- Prayer judges integrity. This may surprise you, but some people who go to church aren’t very nice OR very honest the other 6 days of the week. And some ministers and priests sin big time! This fits the last one in that when you pray realizing God knows everything you begin to see your actions through His eyes.

- Prayer helps us determine what’s a minor irritation and what is truly significant.

- Prayer frees us from self-centeredness. The author suggests when we pray for something we should also ask ourselves: will our world, church and family be better? Who will get the credit? If you pray for your spiritual life who will gain from your piety? Will you mirror the purposes of God more clearly? If you pray for a job promotion and more money – how will that outcome affect your faith? If you have more money or a higher position – how’s that going to help people?

- Prayer motivates action. The author here says when we offer intercessory prayer; God may very well ask us what we’re going to do to help out? If we’re praying for a sick friend – are we also going to stop by and offer to: cook, clean, take the kids somewhere, pick up something at the store, send a card?….

- Prayer often gets us to answer our own petitions. It could be that God expects specific usefulness from us for every answered prayer. Linking to God through prayer gives us the strength to take action.

- Prayer also tears down our feelings of uselessness. An older person who feels they are no longer needed can always pray. A person in a job that they feel is unimportant and that they are not contributing anything to can always pray. No one can do anything more important than pray for someone else. And prayer blesses twice when it’s intercessory. The person praying and the one prayed for. And I would even suggest – more than 2 – it can be like the rock tossed into the lake – who knows how far the ripples will go? He also says that it’s wrong to do a Christian service without prayer because it’s a temptation to the ego of the doer and therefore a potential problem for the one who receives the benefits.

- Prayer admits absolute dependence. We’ve all heard there are no atheists in foxholes. President Lincoln said that during his most demanding days of Presidency, “I have been driven to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I have no other place to go: my own wisdom and that around me seemed insufficient for the day.” We have days when our own wisdom just isn’t enough: parenting, sickness, divorce, relationships, forgiveness and death. It’s the most natural thing in the world to turn to God in those circumstances.

- Prayer cultivates friendship with God. This made me think of how people bond more when they work together or go through a trial together: prayer acknowledges that God’s right there going through something with us. So our relationship gets stronger. Psychiatrists will often tell you people already possess answers to their own problems deep down in their psyches. And they can be discovered by verbalizing the problem in conversations. Prayer allows you to do that.

Have you ever started to ask a question in a class or during a presentation and before you even finish the question you find yourself saying, “Oh, wait – now I see”? I guess God can be our own personal psychiatrist. So just tell Him everything that’s on your heart – nothing will shock or surprise Him – EVER! Tell Him your troubles, your joys, your dislikes, your temptation, your longings, when someone’s hurt or disappointed you – candid conversation with God takes spirituality into all levels of life. And it’s not that He doesn’t know any of this stuff you’re thinking or going through, but it helps you sort through and have the “Oh, wait, now I see” moment.

Frequent contact and serious conversation deepens our friendship with God and the intimacy that it develops is a thousand times more meaningful then the SOS’s we send out in the middle of a problem.