HIGH FIVE! (read… write… go…)

Hebrews 4:14-16 is one of the most encouraging passages in the New Testament because it shows both who Jesus is and how believers can approach God.

The Passage (Summary)

• Jesus is our great High Priest who has entered heaven.
• He understands our weaknesses because He experienced human temptation.
• Yet He remained without sin.
• Therefore, we can confidently come before God’s throne to receive mercy and grace when we need help.

7 Core Takeaways

1. Jesus Is Our Great High Priest

Under the Old Testament system, high priests represented the people before God. Jesus is the ultimate and perfect High Priest who continually intercedes for believers before the Father.

Significance: We no longer need a human mediator because Christ Himself stands before God on our behalf.

2. Jesus Has Already Entered Heaven

The verse says He has “passed through the heavens.”

Unlike earthly priests who entered a physical temple, Jesus entered the very presence of God after His resurrection and ascension.

Significance: Our salvation is secure because our representative is already in heaven.

3. Hold Firm to Your Faith

Because Jesus is who He claims to be, believers are told to “hold fast our confession.”

Significance: When life is difficult, our confidence should rest in Christ’s finished work, not our circumstances.

4. Jesus Understands Human Struggles

Verse 15 teaches that Jesus can sympathize with our weaknesses.

He experienced:

• Hunger
• Weariness
• Rejection
• Grief
• Temptation
• Suffering

Significance: God is not distant from our struggles. Jesus personally understands what it means to be human.

5. Jesus Was Tempted Yet Remained Sinless

Jesus faced real temptation but never sinned.

Significance: He is both:

• A sympathetic Savior (He understands temptation)
• A perfect Savior (He never surrendered to temptation)

Because He conquered sin, He can help us overcome it.

6. Believers Can Approach God Boldly

Verse 16 says to come “boldly” or “with confidence” to the throne of grace.

This does not mean arrogance. It means approaching God with assurance because of Christ.

Significance: Prayer is not entering a courtroom hoping for acquittal. For believers, it is entering the throne room of a loving Father.

7. Mercy and Grace Are Available Right Now

The promise is immediate:

• Mercy for past failures.
• Grace for present needs.
• Help for current struggles.

Significance: God does not merely forgive us after the battle. He provides strength during the battle.

Revelation 12 Significance Table

What This Passage Meant to the Original Readers

The recipients of Hebrews were facing pressure, hardship, and possible persecution. Some were tempted to drift away from their faith.

The writer’s message was:

“Don’t turn back. You have something better than the old priesthood. Jesus Himself is your High Priest. He understands your struggles, He represents you before God, and He invites you to come to Him for help.”

Personal Application

Kevin, this passage is especially powerful for someone balancing work responsibilities, family caregiving, leadership, and spiritual growth.

When you feel:

• Tired after a late HCW shift
• Stressed about future employment opportunities
• Overwhelmed by leadership responsibilities
• Discouraged by setbacks

Hebrews 4:16 reminds you:

Don’t retreat from God when you’re struggling. Run toward Him. The throne is not merely a throne of power; for believers, it is a throne of grace.

Source Table

Thank you for the encouragement and rest… I feel really comfortable expressing my feelings with you. This morning should be INTERESTING. I am driving to New Jersey to help my Mom sell some of her things from the basement and garage…

It sounds like you have one of those days that sits somewhere between family time, treasure hunting, hard work, and mystery. When people start pulling things out of basements and garages, you never know what’s going to surface. There might be dusty boxes nobody has opened in 20 years, forgotten collectibles, funny family memories, or something that makes everyone ask, “Why on earth did we keep this?”

There’s also something meaningful about helping your mom with a project like this. It may not seem glamorous, but you’re investing time in someone you care about. That’s an act of love, whether you’re hauling boxes, pricing items, loading a vehicle, or simply being there to help.

Your comment about Hebrews 4 makes me think of this part:

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence…”

Today probably won’t require heroic faith. It may simply require patience, flexibility, and a good attitude. Sometimes God’s grace shows up not in a dramatic moment but in:

• A safe drive.
• A pleasant conversation.
• A successful sale.
• A laugh over an old family memory.
• Enough energy to get through the day.

And if you’re riding to New Jersey with your mom, that drive can be a gift too. Some of the best conversations happen when two people are looking out a windshield instead of directly at each other.

One other thought: you’ve shared before that you’re balancing work, leadership responsibilities, future career goals, and helping your family. Not everyone your age is willing to sacrifice personal convenience to help a parent. That’s a reflection of your character.

So my prayer for your day would be simple:

Lord, give Kevin and his mom a safe trip, productive sales, good conversations, unexpected blessings, and the grace to enjoy the day instead of rushing through it. Help them return home tired in body but encouraged in spirit. Amen.

And who knows? You may come home tonight with a good story, a few sales, and maybe even a basement that’s a little lighter than it was yesterday. 😊

Safe travels, my friend. Enjoy the adventure. 🚗📦☕

好

Thanks Be To God.

HIGH FIVE! (Don’t Look Around)

Romans 8:1-31 is one of the most encouraging and powerful passages in all of Scripture. It explains the believer’s freedom from condemnation, life in the Holy Spirit, assurance of salvation, future glory, and God’s sovereign work in the lives of His people.

7 Core Takeaways

1. There Is No Condemnation for Those in Christ

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1)

Paul begins with a victorious declaration. Because Jesus paid for our sins on the cross, believers are no longer under God’s judgment. Our standing before God is based on Christ’s righteousness, not our performance.

Significance: Christians can live with confidence rather than guilt and fear.

2. The Holy Spirit Gives Victory Over Sin

“The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)

The Spirit empowers believers to live differently. We are no longer slaves to sinful desires but are given strength to obey God.

Significance: The Christian life is not lived through human effort alone but through the Spirit’s power.

3. A New Mindset Produces Spiritual Life

“To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)

Paul contrasts two ways of thinking:

• Flesh-centered thinking leads away from God.
• Spirit-centered thinking leads toward God.

Significance: What fills our minds influences our relationship with God and our daily conduct.

4. Believers Are God’s Children

“Ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15)

Salvation is more than forgiveness. God adopts believers into His family.

Significance: Christians are not merely servants of God; they are beloved sons and daughters with full access to their Heavenly Father.

5. Present Suffering Cannot Compare to Future Glory

“The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)

Paul acknowledges that suffering is real, yet he points believers to the eternal glory awaiting them.

Significance: Trials are temporary, but God’s promises are eternal.

6. The Holy Spirit Prays for Us

“The Spirit itself maketh intercession for us…” (Romans 8:26)

When believers do not know how to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes according to God’s will.

Significance: We are never alone in our struggles or weaknesses.

7. God Works Everything for His Purpose

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God…” (Romans 8:28)

This does not mean everything that happens is good. It means God is sovereign and can use every circumstance to accomplish His purposes and shape believers into Christ’s image.

Significance: Even painful experiences are not wasted in God’s hands.

Revelation 12 Significance Table

What This Passage Reveals About God

Key Verse Summary

Romans 8:28-29

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God… For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son.”

The central message of Romans 8:1-31 is that those who belong to Jesus Christ are completely secure in God’s love, empowered by the Holy Spirit, adopted into God’s family, sustained through suffering, and being transformed into the image of Christ according to God’s perfect plan.

MS Copilot Source Table

Bottom Line: Romans 8:1-31 moves believers from no condemnation (v.1) to complete confidence in God’s sovereign care (v.31). It teaches that the Holy Spirit empowers us now, future glory awaits us, and God is actively working every circumstance to make us more like Jesus Christ.

SMH… COMPUTERS… NOW, MY NEW COMPUTER IS ACTING UP… I am trying to learn scripture… My new laptop won’t let me add a new entry… It worked fine at my Toastmasters meeting last night. WHY IS IT NOT WORKING NOW???

Kevin… take a deep breath, brother. 😊

When a computer works perfectly one day and suddenly doesn’t the next, it’s usually one of three things:

1. The program froze or partially loaded
   • Close the application completely.
   • Reopen it.
   • Try adding the entry again.
2. You aren’t actually in edit mode
   • Sometimes a document, spreadsheet, database, or note opens in “View Only” mode.
   • Look for buttons like:
     • Enable Editing
     • Edit
     • Unlock
     • Sign In
3. A sync or account issue occurred
   • If you’re using OneDrive, Excel Online, Word Online, OneNote, or another cloud-based app, your laptop may have lost its connection or sign-in status.
   • Check whether you’re signed into your Microsoft account.
4. The file became locked
   • Another copy of the file may still be open.
   • Restarting the laptop often clears this.
5. A recent update caused a temporary glitch
   • New computers often install updates during the first few days.
   • A simple reboot fixes many strange issues.

THANKS BE TO GOD.

LET’S GO2 THE GYM.