How Shall We Escape 🎭🚑

Hebrews 4:2 (KJV) For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. “the word preached”

That interested me so I investigated a little bit and what I found out was interesting to me. Looking at the Greek meaning I discovered this. The Greek word used for “word” mean this “signifies a report: the Gospel is a report of Christ, his person and offices; of his great love to sinners, and of what he has done for them;” The “word” was preached.  The same word is used here 3 times.

John 1:1 (KJV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In the very beginning The Word was there. When was the very beginning? Genesis 1:1 (KJV) In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

In the beginning what you and I know started. The Word was there and then we are told that the Word was God. Now I have a clearer picture of what “the Word” is in Hebrews 4:2; then we are told that the Word preached was not received. Now the Word of God is not to be taken lightly and we are told why.  Hebrews 4:12 (KJV) For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged 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.  That word “quick” means alive. The Word that was preached is alive and is Powerful and is Sharp; No, No, excuse me it is Sharper than any two edged sword. Wow, how sharp is sharper? Watch what “the word of God” can do. It can pierce and divide our soul and our spirit. It’s so sharp that you can not see where nor how deep it went with the physical eye. It can also go to the “the joints and marrow” and “the word of God” can even get to our “thoughts” But wait it goes much further “intents of the heart” There is no escape. Hebrews 2:3 (KJV) How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

There is nowhere to run! Oh no, run as fast and as far as you like and when you get there you will find that the Lord is there waiting on you. Nowhere to Hide. Adam and his wife Eve have tried that and it didn’t work. Neither will it work for you and me!

There is no mistake we can not escape the presents of Our Lord and Savior. What happens to those who do try to run and hide? That word quick is mention 3 more times in the  New Testament.

Acts 10:42 (KJV) And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

2 Timothy 4:1 (KJV) I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

1 Peter 4:5 (KJV) Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

The Quick (those living) didn’t try to escape and the Dead (opportunity gone). One is living and the other; well dead. 

Doomed? Really? 🙂‍↔️

 Hebrews 4:3 (KJV) For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

As I read that the word “believed” jumped out at me. “believed” is past tense of belief which means that something was believed. What does Webster have to say about this word “believed”?  “When we believe upon the authority of reasoning, arguments, or a concurrence of facts and circumstances, we rest our conclusions upon their strength or probability, their agreement with our own experience ” Another interesting thing about this word “believed” here in verse 4 is that it is the only time in the book of Hebrews that it is used without the word “not” this word “believed” is mentioned only 3 times. First time is in

Hebrews 3:18 (KJV) And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? The second time is Hebrews 4:3 the verse we first started off with and the last or third time is in Hebrews 11:31 (KJV) By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. 

Rahab,  5 times in the scriptures as we read her name it has the tag on it Rahab the harlot. Why would this tag of who she once was be left as we read of her? I’m not sure but here’s what I believe. Many have told me that they have done too many awful things for God to save them. The awful things may very well be true but God saves people who have done much worse than you. God save David and made him King. Do you know what David did? He committed adultery and then that night of pleasure produced fruit. He had no choice he thought but to have her husband killed and he did. Oh my, Rahab is what? A harlot what trash! Oh no God saves her too. We are not too good that we don’t need God’s forgiveness and we are not too bad that God won’t forgive us. In other words God loves sinners and sent His son Jesus Christ to save them that believe.  Believed is only mentioned once without the word “NOT” because that’s all it takes to have the rest in God. The word “unbelief” is mentioned 4 times in the book of Hebrews and then the word “Believed” three times but two of those have the word “NOT” after it. Now that’s six times we read of unbelief. What is so interesting about that? If you were to run the number six in the Bible you will find that it is always talking about mankind. Never forget that this Bible is God’s Word to mankind. No matter how you look at it, it will always picture God sending His Son to save this lost world. If you or I fail to Believe we are doomed. 

Romans 10:9 (KJV) That if thou(That’s you & I) shalt confess with thy (That’s you & I) mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine  (That’s you & I) heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou (That’s you & I) shalt be saved.

RU 🫵 Showing Up?

Hebrews 3:18 (KJV) And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?

Hebrews 3:19 (KJV) So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. 

Believed not and Unbelief  

BELIEVED NOT from  e-Sword STRONGSS #544 to disbelieve (wilfully and perversely): - not believe, disobedient, obey not, unbelieving. 

UNBELIEF from e-Sword STRONGS #570

faithlessness, that is, (negatively) disbelief (want of Christian faith), or (positively) unfaithfulness (disobedience): - unbelief. 

The reason that they should not enter into His Rest. Was it because they were bad people? NO! It was just because they didn’t believe God could help them. 

Hebrews 3:18 (KJV) And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that  disbelieve (wilfully and perversely): - believed not?

Hebrews 3:19 (KJV) So we see that they could not enter in because of faithlessness, that is, (negatively)  unfaithfulness (disobedience): - unbelief. 

Now this is Canaan land, a land of Victory and Rest. I wonder how many of God’s People today have Rest and Victory in their lives? Is it possible to have rest? Jesus said it was.

Matthew 11:28 (KJV) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Spiritual rest, peace of conscience, ease of mind, tranquility of soul, through an application of pardoning grace through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..

Matthew 11:29 (KJV) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest (Remember what I wrote earlier if you aren’t looking you’ll never find) unto your souls. Could this be why we don’t have peace and rest (learn of me) a simple question will give you the answer. What have you learned about Your Savior Jesus Christ today? Or this Week? Or this Month? If the answer is not much or even worse NOTHING. Then maybe it’s because of Unbelief. In order to learn you have to show up. In 2004 I needed an income. My previous income was GONE! My friend had a car business so I went to him and asked him to teach me how to buy and sell cars. He told me classes began this Monday night at the car auction. I expect you to be there every Monday night. If I am going to teach you I will not waste my time, show up! So it began and I was faithful and he taught me. Why did I write that? Many want to have rest that is why they seek drugs and alcohol and other things that will not give rest only destruction. Jesus gives us the answer for rest and peace “learn of me” No it’s not a quick fix but He will do what He says. Learning the car business wasn’t either; it took commitment. So what have you learned about Jesus? If not much, why not? RU Showing Up?

It was shocking to me as I watched a man going up to people putting gas in their cars. He asked them to tell him one Bible verse and he would pay for their gas. He asked 10 people and not one of them was willing or didn’t know a Bible verse to tell. How sad that many will not come into Jesus and learn about Him. 

Tomorrow 🤔 Never Comes

 Wow the Lord just let me see another Bible Nugget. This reminds me of  Proverbs 2:4 (KJV) If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 

Proverbs 2:5 (KJV) Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

I like that word find, because if you are not looking you will never find. I was just reading along at normal speed as I do every morning and I read this  

Hebrews 3:15 (KJV) While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

I thought to myself didn’t I just read those words? Yes I did Hebrews 3:7 (KJV) Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,

Hebrews 3:8 (KJV)  Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, 

Then again we read in Hebrews 4:7 (KJV) Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Three times in the book of Hebrews we read the same words. If our Lord says something three times I think we should take notice. To day, Hear, Harden not. Has anyone ever said to you “ how many times have I said that? How many times do I have to say that?” Why is to day so important? Because regardless of what we heard in the movie “Gone With The Wind” “After all, tomorrow is another day!” Tomorrow never comes as my grandmother told me many years ago. I just couldn’t understand that. I said no grandmother tomorrow, to which she said no! why? I asked? She said this to me “for when tomorrow comes it will be today! 

Proverbs 27:1 (KJV) Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. The Lord reminded me of  Matthew 6:11 (KJV) Give us this day our daily bread. Give today! Plan yes but live in today for you nor I know what will happen in the future and that is what tomorrow is. As a friend of mine said one day “you may tie your shoes this morning but tonight the undertaker may untie them for you.”  Shouldn’t I plan for the future? Yes but you plan for the future today. Let me explain: when I was 34 my dad told me to put $2000 a year into an IRÁ and when you are old enough to retire you’ll have enough. Great advice! Only problem with that is I didn’t do that. You can’t think about retirement 5 years before you retire. Neither can you think about heaven if you at one time or another hear God’s voice to day. To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Have  you ever had a, today moment?

Hebrews 13:8 (KJV) Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

The Clock Is Ticking ⏰

 Hebrews 3:13 (KJV) But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

We should encourage each other every day while and when we have the opportunity. Why? Because of sin. Sin is our enemy it will destroy without mercy but if we learn to encourage there are many things we can avoid. Maybe we could avoid depression because it is a discouragement, a place of loneliness. I want to be that smiling face that have words of encouragement that others want to see coming their way. This exhort or encouragement should be to one another and everyday not when we feel like it. Because we will never know who needs to hear those kind words. I have sit with many men who if their wife would say words of encouragement to them oh what a different it would make in their lives. In their husbands life yes, but more so in their wives. We must never forget that it works both ways. We are told we need to encourage one another. Who have you said words of encouragement to today? The clock is ticking, you still have time..

Lost and Found

Hebrews 3:9 (KJV) When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.

In the Past “your fathers” looking backward I must remember that experience is not the best teacher. Other people’s experience is the best teacher. By reading about the lives of these great people in the Bible God will show me the secrets that made them great. “When your fathers tempted me” Wow this is something to read. Here we read of a group of many and they tested God. Oh my, then we are told “proved me” tested and proved. Was God brought to the point of distrust? Ingratitude? This group of people, God’s people, saw God’s works for 40 years

Deuteronomy 29:2 (KJV) And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land;

Deuteronomy 29:3 (KJV) The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles: You not only saw it you experienced it first hand. Hebrews 3:10 (KJV) Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. Many do the same today. God saves them from an awful life of sin and like these Israelites did after seeing what God did with the Egyptian; burying them in the Red Sea. They stand and praise God for all His goodness and then in a short time show ingratitude toward God the one that delivered them. Hebrews 3:10 (KJV) Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. Their actions grieved God just like it must do today when we act the same way. Why the grieving? Maybe the same reason “They do alway err in their heart;” The problem was a heart problem and the reason why “they have not known my ways.” God is not a Jenny in a bottle we pull out when things are going bad. No, that’s not God's way at all. Ask someone if they were to die today would they go to heaven? They would more than likely say yes! Ask them why they can say that and the answers vary. Most of the time the answer includes how good they have been. Very few know why they are going to heaven when they die. First thing one must know  

Luke 19:10 (KJV) For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Never will anyone be found until they know they are lost. Think about the time you might have gotten lost in the department store when you were a child. Maybe lost in the woods while hunting. That happened to my son-n-law and the forest rangers had to go find him. Those are times you don’t forget. So the question is did you know when you were found? Sure you did! Same is true when the Lord found you 1 John 5:13 (KJV) These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

I didn’t get found in that department store because of my goodness. I was found because my mother loved me and went and found me. My son-n-law didn’t get found that night because he was good. NO he was found because others loved him and sent others to find him. Neither did God find you because you were good. Oh no, God found you because you were lost and He loved you greatly. Today you still remember that day God found you. Don’t test, prove nor be ungrateful toward Him instead learn His ways.

Overwhelming Guilt 🎭

Hebrews 3:8 (KJV) Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: Today if you will hear God’s Voice?

 “Harden not your hearts” then this word, I really didn’t know the meaning of “provocation” so I looked it up.

Provocation “Any thing that excites anger; the cause of resentment.” Then “temptation” and “wilderness”  Is this another word picture? I believe it is. When we read this how do we perceive what we read? If we have no understanding of the wilderness we have no idea what is being taught here. What is the wilderness? God answers the prayer of His Children and delivers them from bondage in Egypt. Opens the Red Sea and destroys their enemy by burying them all as the water rushed over them. Now they are free from bondage as they see and know it's the Work of God. In Exodus 15 they sing praises unto God and rejoice over the great victory. They began to travel but 3 days later they found themselves without water. They came to Marah but the water there was bitter and undrinkable. They began to complain not waiting to see what God will do. It only took 3 days to forget what God had done at the Red Sea. If only they could see what’s ahead on their pathway. But no, all they could see was the present and forgot what God had already done. Did God bring them this far to let them die of thirst? I said all this to bring out this word “provocation” bitter water brought anger and resentment. At the first sign of trouble they get angry and their hearts begin to get hard. Complaining is the first sign of a heart getting hard. If God wants me away from drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling you name it. Then why do these temptations keep coming my way?  Great question. I and neither can you keep temptations away. Just because you quit doesn’t mean the enemy has. The enemy's job is to destroy the opponent and they do that by finding their weakness. Once the weakness is found they work on improving their destruction of the opponent by their weakness. Steve Curington said it well when he said “before you done it you thunk it.” The temptation comes but you don’t let it go, you keep thinking about it until you do it. A temptation is nothing more than a desire driving by, that you won’t let pass. What would you think of a person running in front of a bus trying to out run it? Very soon they would be run over by the bus? That is a picture of temptation. Just keep thinking about it and it will take you over. The fall will be disastrous and the guilt will be overwhelming.