Melchizedek

We first met Melchizedek in Genesis 14. Abraham was returning from his battle with Kedorlaomer in which he had rescued his nephew Lot. Melchizedek blessed Abraham and Abraham paid a tithe to Melchizedek.

Melchizedek is mentioned in history as we read the account of his encounter with Abraham in Genesis 14. He is a real person but very little information is given about him. Take time to read the story in Genesis 14:18 – 20.

Melchizedek is also mentioned in song. In Psalm 110 the Lord makes a prophecy regarding the Son when He says that He will be a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

In Hebrews we see the argument developed that shows that Jesus is superior to Aaron because His priesthood is not temporary and conditional as was Aaron’s but permanent and unconditional.

One final note: Jesus was not made like Melchizedek but it was the other way around.

God's Word

I listened to a man who smuggled Bibles into North Korea. Those people are so grateful to get a Bible and we take it for granted. Some would give up meals and walk miles to get to even hear God's Word and we cannot even be bothered to bring our Bibles to church. We should be ashamed.

Looking for a Priest

I haven't written for over a week because I was in BC attending the Bibles for Missions board meeting and the Bible League of Canada's ministry day. I have a few thoughts regarding that day that I will share on another day.
A priest is one who intercedes to God on behalf of the people. Now I believe in the priesthood of all believers and we don't need someone to intercede for us but there are many people who come to one of us and asks us to pray for them. They feel that they need a priest to intercede on their behalf. As a Christian we should always be ready to stand in the gap for others.

If or Since

We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. Hebrews 3:14
Someone said that the word "if" should be translated "since" but as I checked other translations the word is "if" not "since". Now it would fit our doctrines much better if the word was "since" but it is a conditional phrase and we are told that we have come to share in Christ if... Does this sound like works-righteousness? However, we need to be reminded that we can only work out what God has worked in. Do we not like the word "if" because it challenges our doctrine?

Sabbath Rest

I heard a speaker on the computer explaining the Sabbath rest. He said that because each day was as a 1000 years then we are now entering into the Sabbath. He went on to explain that the Sabbath was to be observed because of this. He missed one important point and that is why he drew these conclusions. He missed the point that the Sabbath was fulfilled in Jesus. He is our Sabbath rest.

Backwards

Today I was reading from Ephesians 6 where we are told to put on the whole armour of God then we are to stand. My rational mind tells me that this is backward. Shouldn't we be given the armour by God and then told to go and fight? It really shows that God's ways are different than our ways. We are told to do something, put on the armour, then we are told to do nothing but stand. In my study of Hebrews I am reminded that there is much that we are to do but it is only by God's grace that we can do it. This certainly isn't works righteousness. He tells us what to do and then He does it through us.

Come

Watch this powerful video by Paris Reidhead who talks about salvation is a person not a plan.