Sunday Scripture

 

I mentioned last week that for the month of November, I've decided to take a break from Fix Your Focus to set our minds on Thanksgiving.  Again today, I'm sharing some insights from a Thanksgiving/fall study with Good Morning Girls that I did back in fall of 2013.  Sadly, it seems that this little but oh-so-meaningful 2-week study -- Focusing our Hearts on Gratitude -- is no longer available.  If anyone is interested in the Scripture verses to do your own little study, just let me know and I can send you the references or even the pdf of the study.  

The verses I chose for today are from Day 5 of the study.  We were to read Hebrews 12:22-29, and the verse to SOAP was Hebrews 12:28.  ( Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or praise for what it means to you.  And if you've never tried this simple method, I hope that you will give it a try and see if you find it as helpful as I do.)

So without further ado, here is my very simple study of Hebrews 12:28:

S= "Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear."  (Hebrews 12:28)

O= Although no one knows for sure who wrote the book of Hebrews (my personal guess is Paul), its intended purpose is to encourage Jewish Christians "who had professed faith in Jesus as the Messiah, some of whom were wavering in their attitude. Hence, the exhortation to 'hold fast' (Hebrews 3:6; Hebrews 4:14, among others) and 'go on to maturity' (Hebrews 6:1)."

"Hebrews contains a series of contrasts, between the good things of Judaism and the better things of Christ." -- C.I. Scofield

"Those who were occupied with the tangible, visible ritualism of Judaism were clinging to things that could be shaken.  True believers have a kingdom which cannot be shaken."  -- Believer's Bible Commentary

So, as believers who have received this kingdom which cannot be shaken, we have grace.  

By means of this grace, we may serve God acceptably 

* with reverence
* with godly fear.

A= I can be so thankful that I'm a recipient of a kingdom which cannot be moved or shaken.  There is no uncertainty at all about the reality of my God and my faith in Him.  I need not wonder about the validity of His promises for He will never change.  I can rest in Him even "though the earth be removed, and the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea" (Psalm 46:2).

Because of this, God also gives grace by which I may serve Him acceptably with reverence and godly fear.  Being part of His kingdom should inspire us to fervently praise and adore Him unceasingly.

P= Lord, I am so thankful for all that You are and all that You have done.  I thank and praise You that by Your grace I'm an inhabitant of a kingdom which is certain and can never be moved or shaken.  I never have to be uncertain about my standing with You, because it is not based on my goodness or rule-keeping but on Your grace and Christ's righteousness imputed to me.

I praise You for the opportunity to serve You.  Although I realize I can never repay You for all You've done for me, and although I recognize that my service is flawed and imperfect, still I desire to serve You as a thank-offering for what You've done.  I praise You that by means of Your grace, it's possible for me to serve You acceptably, with reverence and godly fear.

Please forgive me for the times when I mess up, and say or do things that don't reflect the reverence or fear of You that I need to have.  Help me to walk as You'd have me to, every day!  Help me to serve You consistently and with appropriate reverence.  Help me to "give You my best and live for You completely, after all You've done for me!" as the old Sunday School chorus says.  In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."

That's the Scripture study for this November Sunday!  I hope it was a blessing to someone.