I was Bribed
I remember memorizing many scripture verses as a child. We were “bribed” by our Sunday School teachers to learn and quote them by heart. If we did, we’d receive prizes and rewards. Right or wrong, it worked for me, because I know those scriptures from memory, and I live by them still today.
For any crisis, concern, or fear, one will pop to my mind, and I will be comforted. Joshua 1:8 says “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
I promise you – God’s words have valuable rewards for us. My Sunday School teachers really weren’t bribing us, though the candy and treats were awe-inspiring. They were teaching us Joshua 1:8 and its merits.
I take my scripture readings seriously each day. It is a “must do” in my early morning devotionals. It is what kick-starts my day. And if it is a verse that is an “aha”, I draw a circle around it in my Bible. Then, I rehearse it for future reference because I know I am going to need it for potential adventures or misadventures.
The more I’ve read scriptures, the more I understood the message of the Apostle Paul. I was impressed to write this blog because I needed these scriptures today!
In Hebrews 9:24, because of Christ’s ascension to heaven, we know that “He intercedes for us in the very presence of God.” How comforting to know that Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father – interceding for us! Isn’t that reassuring? He takes our problems, our heartaches, and our everyday concerns to Dad.
And in Hebrews 9:26, we read about the high priests who used blood from an animal to make a sacrifice for our sins. But now, Christ’s one perfect sacrifice of Himself requires no repetition. Jesus paid the ultimate price. He paid a debt He didn’t owe – once and for all! “Whoever believes….will not perish but have everlasting life!” (John 3:16) Thanks be to God!
And here’s how we live out those words from Hebrews 10:23: “Let us hold UNWAVERINGLY (I like that word) to our confession that gives us hope, for He Who made the promise is trustworthy.” The icing on the cake.
These scriptures from Hebrews are words that have sustained me and given me hope for today and tomorrow. God is a Promise-Keeper and so am I. I promise to serve He Who gave His all for me and live my faith outside and inside my heart all the days of my life.
I pray these words from God’s Holy Word will open the ears of those who read this blog today. I pray that as you read God’s Holy Word, or as you listen to your pastor, priest, rabbi, or readers of scriptures, that your ears and heart are wide open to receive what God is saying to you.
And, BTW, if you like a little “nightcap” before going to bed at night, try playing scriptures from your phone. That’s what I do – and sometimes my “nightcap” puts me right to sweet sleep. God’s “heavenly” nighttime sleep aid!
FYI – a wonderful free daily devotional and scripture resource that kickstarts my day and is my nighttime sleep aid is this: lectio365.24-7prayer.com