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Hebrews 3:12-14 - Caution with Choices and Be an Encourager.

Hebrews 3:12-14 (NLT) Be careful then, dear 
brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts 
are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away 
from the living God. 13 You must warn each other 
every day, while it is still today, so that 
none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened 
against God. 14 For if we are faithful to the end, 
trusting God just as firmly as when we first 
believed, we will share in all that belongs to 
Christ. 

COMMENTARY PEARLS

Watch Your Heart vs. 12
   Sometimes some of the worst sinners are 
people raised in Christian homes, because they 
rebel against it. On the other hand, sometimes 
some of the greatest saints come from Christian 
homes. It just depends on the person. 
   We love to put all the blame on the 
parents. But we have a say about the direction we 
take in life, regardless of how we were raised 
(or not raised). In reality, we need to have our 
own faith. We cant live off the faith of 
someone else. We need our own relationship with 
Jesus Christ. 
   Actually, one of the easiest places our 
hearts can become hardened to the gospel is in the 
church. As we hear the truth of the gospel, as we 
hear the truth of Gods Word, we decide whether 
well be responsive or resistant to it. 
   The same sun that softens the wax hardens 
the clay. Lets take the pharaoh of Egypt for 
example. Moses went to him and demanded that he 
release the Hebrews from captivity. Then Pharaoh 
watched miracle after miracle that Moses performed 
by the power of God. Yet Pharaoh hardened his 
heart again and again. 
   But then we read that the Lord hardened 
Pharaohs heart. Is it a contradiction? No, its two 
sides of the same coin. Pharaoh was the one who 
decided to harden his heart in the presence of God. 
We could translate that word hardened as 
strengthened. In other words, the Lord strengthened 
Pharaoh in the decision he already made. God simply 
confirmed Pharaoh in his choice. 
   Pharaoh dedicated himself to evil in 
direct opposition to Gods redemptive plan. He 
chose evil; God did not choose it for him. In 
fact, God offered him opportunity after 
opportunity to repent, but he decided not to. 
   Yes, hearts can become hard, even in 
church. So be careful. [Greg Laurie from Harvest 
Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

Be an Encourager vs. 13
   I serve my community as a school 
librarian. The job is more than shelving books. I labor 
over lesson plans, state testing, and the 
management of carts and classrooms filled with hundreds 
of computers. Every morning, students and 
faculty charge toward my door, seeking computer 
help. My library buzzes with few quiet moments. 
Welcome to the twenty-first-century library!  
    In the middle of one frenzied morning, I 
looked up toward the ceiling tile and blurted, I 
hate my job! A concerned student athlete 
approached my desk and asked, How is your day?  
   I groaned, Not good. 
   He proceeded to tell me about a Scripture 
he had learned in his youth group - Fellowship 
of Christian Athletes (FCA). The Bible says, 
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you 
were working for the Lord rather than for 
people (Colossians 3:23, NLT). My student then 
advised with a smile, The day will get better, if 
you change your attitude.  
   I took his advice and for the rest of 
that school year, when times turned hectic, I 
stopped to view each task, each student or coworker 
through the lens of Colossians 3:23. I invite you to 
do the same. Every duty is elevated and takes 
on the glow of a high calling when we realize 
Jesus is our boss and infinite help. by Alice 
Thompson  
   Faith Step: As believers have encouraged 
you, ask Jesus for opportunities to encourage 
others. [Mornings With Jesus 2020 Devotional by 
Guideposts and Zondervan] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE

Hebrews 3:12-14 - Christian Obedience and 
Encouragement. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20191004-1135.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David 
DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides: 
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio (currently live): 
https://bible.awr.org/the-warning/ 

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657