Whatever it Takes

A series on the book of Hebrews:
A call to faith and perseverance
 (Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Hebrews 10:19-39 

[When you first start to follow Christ, often it’s done with great excitement. It’s like falling in love when all you can think about is the other person, and you want to tell everyone you know. But then the day-to-day pressures of living can push out those feelings and dull your enthusiasm. In this series, we will look at how the author of Hebrews tried to counteract falling out of love with Jesus.]

  

There are lots of ways to motivate people. When I was in high school, we had an assistant football coach who was 6 foot 8 inches and probably weighed about 300 pounds. During one of our half-times, he was yelling at us as he pounded on his clipboard until it shattered in two. After that, we were motivated!

 

There were many times during the history of Israel that nothing seemed to motivate them to follow God. One such occasion was when Moses was handing over the leadership to Joshua just before Israel was to enter the Promised Land.

 

The Lord told Moses that once Israel entered Canaan, they would reject him by turning to other gods. Following this, the Lord spoke these words of judgement to Israel through Moses.

 

³⁵ I will take revenge; I will pay them back.
    In due time their feet will slip.
Their day of disaster will arrive,
    and their destiny will overtake them.’          NLT

 

Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were considering rejecting their faith. The writer quoted the above verse from Deuteronomy to motivate them. He also reminded them how faithful they had been in the past. Even in the face of terrible suffering, they had willingly followed Christ while helping other believers.

 

With such pain and persecution in their life, it’s not surprising that they had doubts. They had lost patience in the promise that Jesus would return. Their hope in him had waned. In response, the author quoted from Habakkuk to encourage them to not give up hope, but to persevere and wait patiently.

 

³ This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled.
If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.         NLT

 

The writer also reminded the Hebrews about the benefits of keeping the faith.

 

¹⁹ And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. ²⁰ By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place.            NLT’

 

The promise of being able to enter into the presence of the Living God, was to motivate them to faith in action. With that in mind, the writer gave them a “to do” list starting with “let us”.

 

^22a let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. ²³ Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. ²⁴ Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. ²⁵ And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.  NLT

 

My high school coach motivated us by intimidation, fear and the desire to take it out on the other team. The writer of Hebrews used many different methods to motivate the believers, including to remind them about the promises of God, his faithfulness and encouraging them to persevere in their faith.

 

What motivates you to keep following Christ? Is it the promise of his return; the threat of consequences; the encouragement of fellow believers; the faithfulness and love of God; the presence of God through prayer?

 

Whatever it is… do whatever it takes to stay motivated.

 

Copyright 2025 Joseph B Williams

Feel free to share this blog with others.

www.lifelinebasketball.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

Steps 4 and 5

A series on the book of Hosea
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Hosea 4:1-6:3 

[The story about Hosea is a story about the relentless love of God. Hosea was a prophet who spoke out against the idolatry of the Israelites as they pursued the pagan gods of Baal and Asherah. His life became an allegory about the unfaithfulness of Israel and the relentless love of God.]

 

“Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.”

 

This is Step 4 for every twelve-step support program. It involves being totally honest with yourself about your addiction, what you have done because of it and how you have hurt others as a result. It’s a huge step towards taking responsibility for your actions.

 

“Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being

the exact nature of our wrongs.”

 

Step 5 follows the completion of Step 4. It’s important that you are completely open and honest with your sponsor. There’s a saying in twelve step programs that, “You’re only as sick as your secrets”.

 

In a way, chapters four and five of Hosea are the exact opposite of Steps 4 and 5. Instead of confessing their wrongs - the priests, leaders and all the people of Israel - received a severe public dressing down from the Lord through Hosea.

 

4 ¹ Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel!
    The Lord has brought charges against you, saying
“There is no faithfulness, no kindness,
    no knowledge of God in your land.      NLT

 

¹² They ask a piece of wood for advice!
    They think a stick can tell them the future!
Longing after idols
    has made them foolish.
They have played the prostitute,
    serving other gods and deserting their God. NLT

The consequences of their idol worship was judgement that would result in them becoming a “heap of ruble”.

 

5 ^1b “Hear this, you priests.
    Pay attention, you leaders of Israel.
Listen, you members of the royal family.
    Judgment has been handed down against you.       NLT

 

Thankfully, the loving Lord is full of grace and mercy. He provided a way for Israel to receive redemption.

 

6 ¹ “Come, let us return to the Lord.
He has torn us to pieces
    but he will heal us;
he has injured us
    but he will bind up our wounds.          NIV

 

Israel did not work on Steps 4 and 5. They took no “fearless moral inventory”. They didn’t confess to anyone “the exact nature of their wrongs”. They continued to live their lives of worshipping the idols of the day instead of the Living God.

 

We still have idols today. They may not be as obvious as a “piece of wood or stick or a temple prostitute”. But we have them nonetheless. Thankfully, the Lord is still full of grace and mercy. His relentless love is constantly pursuing us to accept the redemption that He provided through His son Jesus Christ.

Copyright 2023 Joseph B Williams

www.lifelinebasketball.blogspot.com

 

 

Oreo Cookies

A Series on the parables of Jesus – Part 2
Parable of the fig tree
 (Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Mark 11:12-25 

[During the first century, it was common for a rabbi to use parables when teaching their disciples. The parables of Jesus were stories that he told to illustrate spiritual truth using some element from everyday life. Jesus used seeds, fish, trees, bread - things people could easily relate to – for a “teachable moment”.]

  

Do you like Oreo cookies? They’re the best! And there’s several ways to enjoy them. You can just pop one in your mouth. Or you can dip one in a glass of milk. Or you can take the Oreo apart, eat the inside cream filling and then the outside cookie. Kids don’t seem to care which method they use, as long as it involves an Oreo.

 

Like an Oreo cookie, the parable of the fig tree has two sides with a story in the middle. At the time of the parable, there were lots of exciting things happening. With Passover just a few days away, Jerusalem was jammed with pilgrims. On Sunday, with great anticipation of a Messiah, Jesus made his triumphant entry.

 

The next morning, as he and the disciples are returning to the city, Jesus is hungry. Seeing a fig tree, he goes over, only to find that there aren’t any figs. Jesus says to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.”  He seems kind of cranky. Like he got up on the wrong side of the bed. But he gets worse.

 

When they arrive in the temple, because of Passover, it is full of people buying and selling and exchanging money. Imagine being one of the disciples. Everything is normal when all of sudden, Jesus, your trusted rabbi who you’ve followed for the last three years, goes off!

 

He flips tables scattering money, birds and animals. Then he starts teaching, and quotes two Old Testament verses which are pointedly aimed at the chief priests. He is judging them for betraying their faith. Humiliated by Jesus’ public criticism, the chief priests immediately begin planning how to kill him.

 

The next day, as Jesus and the disciples are going back into Jerusalem, they pass the same fig tree. This time though, it is completely dead. Even the roots are dead.

 

Everything described above… cursing the fig tree, clearing the temple and the teaching… was judgement of the chief priests. In light of this, do you think the disciples might have wondered, “If the righteous and powerful chief priests are judged unworthy, what chance do we have”?

 

But Jesus wasn’t done with the parable. It wasn’t just about judgement.

 

²² “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. ²³ “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. ²⁴ Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.      NIV

 

Have you ever seen a mountain throw itself into the sea? This is hyperbole; an exaggeration to make a point. And the point is, that nothing is impossible for the person who trusts God.

 

Jesus is telling his disciples that “faith and prayer” can overcome anything. In the face of judgement, they bring hope. In the shadow of a mountain, they bring courage. In the fear of the future, they bring strength.

 

Jesus is telling us… this same message.

 

***

Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.

Mark 4:23 NLT

Copyright 2023 Joseph B Williams

www.lifelinebasketball.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Shame

Revelation: 20:11-15

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2020%3A11-15&version=NIV;NLT

  



Think of the most shameful thing you have ever done. Now imagine that you are in a courtroom filled with your family, friends from church and neighbors. Across from you is the District Attorney who is ready to explain to everyone why you deserve the maximum sentence.

 

Before the sentencing, the judge reads the charges against you for everyone to hear; your shameful act that cannot be reversed. He asks if you have anything to say for yourself.  Through tears of shame and regret, you make your remorseful plea. The DA sneers and responds with a venomous, angry attack, casting doubt on your integrity and your value as a person.

 

The judge pronounces your sentence and then you, along with all the other convicted reprobates, proceed out the door of the courtroom in a chain gang, each shackled to one another. Your head hangs low. You’re unable to look at anyone in the courtroom. You know that you deserve this punishment.

 

¹¹ And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. ¹² I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books.  NLT

 

In the New Living Translation, the title of this passage is “The Final Judgement”. If you or I are judged solely on our actions as described here, our fate is sealed. The “great white throne” would not be an image of hope, but of shame, judgement and condemnation.

 

Thankfully, Paul tells us in Romans, that is not the case; that we have hope through Jesus Christ.

 

²⁴ O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? ²⁵ I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord… [NKJV] ¹ Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus... [NIV]

 

Jesus suffered the shameful death on the cross of a common criminal so that we wouldn’t have to; so that we wouldn’t be required to face a courtroom of shame and judgement. Thanks be to God.

 

 

How Do You Respond: Grace or Judgement?

1 Corinthians 1:4-9

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%201%3A4-9&version=NIV;ESV

 

How do you respond when… someone cuts you off in traffic and then puts on their breaks? When you feel like someone has slighted you? When your boss makes a derogatory remark about you? When your spouse doesn’t meet your expectations? Do you respond with grace… or with judgement?

 

During the first century, the Jews were steeped in the law. Grace was a foreign concept to them. As a result, Jesus had numerous confrontations with the religious leaders; Paul was beaten and persecuted multiple times; and the early church struggled with the issue of requiring circumcision.

 

There is something deep within the human heart that doesn’t want to forgive; doesn’t want to show grace; but instead wants to judge and condemn.

 

It’s somewhat surprising that Paul writes in his letter to the believers at Corinth that he gives thanks for the grace shown to them; because they show so little grace to others. The Corinthian church struggled with divisions, immorality, discrimination against the poor and many other serious issues.

 

There’s a need for introspection. The Corinthian church needed it, and we need it.

 

How did you answer the questions in the first paragraph? If you are honest, you could probably add some of your own more pointedly personal questions. But, no matter how deeply imbedded our struggles, God’s grace and His faithfulness will win the day.

 

⁴ I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, ⁵ that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge… ⁷ so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ⁸ who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.      ESV

 

So the choice is yours. How will you respond to God’s grace and faithfulness? Will you

show grace, or will you show judgement to others? God gave His grace to us so that we might share it, not keep it for ourselves.

 

 

(If God has spoken to you through this blog, please feel free to share the link with others.)

http://lifelinebasketball.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

Consequences… Nobody Likes Them

Revelation 20:7-15

 

Consequences… nobody likes them.

 

My wife and I love college hockey, so even though we are not Buckeye fans, we’ve attended games for over ten years. During most of those years we parked in a secluded area where the handful of parking spots are marked - “Staff Only”; and of course we are not staff. But it’s never been a problem… until this year.

 

Following our most recent game, we discovered a parking ticket on our windshield. I was irate to say the least. For years we had parked in the same spot, along with other

fans, and never got a ticket. My wife has bad knees, and this is the closest parking location not requiring a handicap sticker. On top of all this, it was 10pm on a Saturday night. How many OSU staff do you think were looking for a parking spot at that time?

 

 

 

Consequences… nobody likes them.

 

My NIV Study Bible has two sub-titles for this passage in Revelation, both involving severe consequences.

 

“The Judgement of Satan”

^10 “And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”            NASB

 

“The Judgement of the Dead”

^13 “The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. ¹⁴ Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.

¹⁵ Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.”       NIV

 

Consequences… nobody likes them.

 

Thankfully, God through His gracious love, has provided a way for us to live without fear of condemnation. Read these words that Paul wrote to the Romans.

 

 

^24 “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!... There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”              ESV