What is the best correct answer to a multiple choice question? Do you recall tests where you must select the BEST answer? All answers had a measure of truth to them. Have you been there?
Life does that to us sometimes and we cry out to God for guidance. Sometimes, many times, there is silence. Or at least we think there is silence. Hebrews 13 this morning has presented me with multiple choices of which I hope to choose the best affirmation presented.
Do you ever second guess yourself? I know I do. I had to make a critical decision at work yesterday. I made the decision and the next split second regretted that decision. God, can I have some confirmation here? Like, Gideon, do you see that blanket over there? In reality, He is giving us the answers and the strength. I can find rest in His strength and His grace.
Today’s affirmation says: My heart is strengthened by Grace. This affirmation was taken from Hebrews 13:9: Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat them. (NIV)
Wait Tom, the writer of Hebrews was just warning us against strange teachings of the church and man made rules. Our hearts are strengthened by the grace of God not in our rituals. Beware of placing your strength in what actions you take. EXACTLY, No matter what decision I make, God’s grace will be sufficient and will strengthen me. Why? It is NOT about what we do it is about who He is.
In Hebrews 13 we are given several affirmations or promises of what God will do for us in our times of making decisions or facing man made rules. Which one is the best answer?
(A) 13:2: I welcome strangers knowing that some are angels.
God will provide help, keep your eyes and ears open and be hospitable.
(B) 13:5: I am content with what I have.
I will be content with any outcome as long as it is His will. I have to trust it is.
(C) 13:6: The LORD is my helper.
Yes He is and the best choice will be made. Ask Him and Trust Him.
(D) 13:15: I give thanks to God.
Offer Him a continual sacrifice of praise. Be too busy thanking Him to worry.
(E) 13:16: I do good and share what I have.
Just do the right thing and be generous. Do good and it will be good.
(F) 13:20: God makes me complete.
God makes me complete to do His will. Be confident that His perfect will will be done.
Can the answer be all of the above? His grace and His kindness will strengthen you in all of your times of need. Bottom line: Hebrews 13:8 says Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. No matter what happens. No matter the “rules” you must consider or the decisions you must make. He will be the same and His grace will strengthen you, forever. Do you have other feedback from Hebrews 13? Do you find strength in God’s grace?
Tom Raines
Christian Affirmations 4 Life
Good stuff, Tom. Thank you, once again. 🙂
Thank you Julie! I had to battle myself on this one and just trust Him. Thank you for your confirmation!
Thanks Tom. I really needed God Makes Me Complete. Once again this week, I experienced my belief in God – my belief in purity END a relationship. At times I feel like the E prophet who (in his self-pity) cried out and said he was the only one left. Sometimes I feel like the only one left. The only one who won’t have sex before marriage. Friends, Christian and Non, tell me I’m ridiculous. Yet, I see the havoc it wrecks in their life as testimony to God’s truth. But…it doesn’t make it any easier – it doesn’t lessen my sadness and sometimes despair. And…at this point in the day I was NOT willing to be comforted. When I opened your blog I had no faith that there would be ANYTHING that would help me (except some serious time in Psalms 73). Then I read God makes me COMPLETE. The pain I was feeling was due to the aloneness – the doing everything alone, the being responsible alone. Then I read….God makes me COMPLETE. I am NOT alone. The few days I was in this relationship I kind of felt like I was having an affair on God. I knew it the relationship was wrong – but it was meeting needs for attention, for feeling attractive, for feeling wanted. I’m back now. By the grace of God I did the right thing. And I don’t have to see myself as alone. I can see myself as complete. Thank you for your faithfulness. And thanks to God who knew what I needed to read today.
Debi, yes God does complete you. How powerful is He. I thank Him for making this message clear. The world and even our friends may encourage us to follow the law of the flesh but we both know that the short term pleasures of the flesh cause major heartaches and distance from God. Whether our our flesh calls for drugs, greed, pride, sex,relationships gambling or whatever else they leave us disatisfied , broken and distanced from God. You are a very wise woman and in this same 13th chapter of Hebrews that this affirmation came from there are great scriptures on remaining pure. I have had to reference these many times and found the reminders I need. May God continue to strengthen you and reveal His perfect will for your life. God you know Debi’s needs please complete her and be with her during this season.
Thank you Debi!!
Another great post. Your daily affirmations are great and keep up the work. They are a blessing.
I liked the part on making decisions today. If you are seeking God’s will he will instruct you and guide you as you are pointing out. Psalms 32:8 speaks to this. Merging our spiritual self with our physical life can be a challenge. In essence what I do on Sunday how do you merge this for the rest of the week. By your post and what you are doing and one way is to read his word to seek his direction.
thanks Tom again for your sharing.
Mark I do appreciate you sharing and your encouragement. We will continue to seek and live in the Spirit. Thank you!