Therefore…

Therefore: for that reason, consequently

Having a word for the year seems to be a popular thing.

I shy away from new years resolutions and from these words of the years becuase, for me, it’s just one more thing to not get done on my to do list.

Before the new year came around I knew what I struggled with, I knew what I needed to work on, I know, I knew and I hadn’t done anything about it. Putting up a new calender is not going to change my disposition or ability to get anything done.

I was not going to have much less tell people about some word I had. Until I was journaling this morning and this word kept coming up. This is one of those times when I’ve declared I am not going to do something and God just shakes his head and laughs at me…

Therefore..

If you were around during advent we looked at the book of Hebrews and in particular Chapter 11 along with 12:1-2.

This book is filled with the word therefore…

Therefore…

….consider Jesus (3:1)

…the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that though death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil. (2:14)

…while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have faild to reach it. (4:1)

…strive to enter that rest so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. (4:11)

…since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in ever respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (4:14-16) ( ESV does not say therefore but NIV does)

…let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity…and this we will do if God permits. (6:1 & 3)

….he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance. (9:15)

…brothers since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

…since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,…(12:1-2)

Therefore…Whatever your word of the year is. Whatever call God has placed on your life. Whatever this year will hold, none of it is possible apart for Jesus.

Therefore because of Jesus we can be confident that he has prepared good works for us, he began good works in us and he will bring it all to completion.

Therefore…For that reason…consequently…This year live in that freedom we have because of all Christ has accomplished for us.

My prayer for you and for me this year is:

“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)