For. Benefit. Betterment.

Hebrews: Jesus Christ is better - 

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:9

Made lower: to be made less or inferior, in dignity

Suffering: an enduring, undergoing, suffering

Crowned: to crown as victor

Glory: infinite, intrinsic worth (substance, essence)

Honor: a value, esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself, precious, price

Grace: contains the idea of kindness which bestows upon one what he has not deserved

Taste Death: experience

For: or one's safety, for one's advantage or benefit; one who does a thing for another, is conceived of as standing or bending 'over' the one whom he would shield or defend;  "for the betterment (advantage) of," i.e. focusing on benefit

Everyone: "each, every" means "all" in the sense of "each (every) part that applies." The emphasis of the total picture then is on "one piece at a time."

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/hebrews/2-9.htm

As I read Hebrews 2:5-9 this morning in preparation for hearing Sunday's message, I focused on verse 9. As I studied verse 9, the word "for" caught my attention. 

For: one's safety, for one's advantage or benefit; one who does a thing for another, is conceived of as standing or bending 'over' the one whom he would shield or defend;  "for the betterment (advantage) of," i.e. focusing on benefit

Jesus Christ suffered and died — for MY benefit. For the betterment of me! There is NO way I could pay for my sin. There was no way for me to enter the presence of a Holy God. So for my benefit, Jesus died. 

So, thankful that Jesus is God and overcame death and hell! Because He lives, I too will live forever! 

God's plan of salvation is only possible, because Jesus Christ was willing to be made less and endured the cross and death. 

For. Benefit. Betterment. 

To hear Pastor Osborne's sermon on Hebrews 2:5-9, visit this website: 

http://www.faithbaptistwh.org/watchservice/

Jesus Christ is better ..... than the angels

I love this definition of the word, better: 

– what is better because more fully developed, i.e. in reaching the needed dominion (mastery, dominance); "better" after exerting the power needed to "plant down God's flag of victory." (HelpsBible.com)

This word "better" is used in Hebrews 1:4 describing how Jesus Christ is better than the angels. Jesus Christ is better because of what He did and because of who He is (His inheritance). 

Jesus Christ is better! He is better because of His qualifications! Look at His resume...... who He is and all that He did! 

Looking forward to this morning's message from Hebrews 1, Jesus Christ is better - than the angels.

You can listen to Pastor Osborne's Sermons online at:

www.faithbaptistwh.org (The Sermons are listed under the Media tab.)

Thanks Living: Instead Choose the BEST

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. Ephesians 5:2-4

Walk: to regulate one's life, to conduct oneself

Love: which centers in moral preference, typically refers to divine love (= what God prefers)

Sweet-smelling aroma: fragrance, perfume

Fornication: from the Greek "porneuo"; harlotry (including adultery and incest)

Uncleanness: impurity (the quality), physically or morally

Covetousness: greedy desire to have more

Not even: not once, so much as

Be named: of things which are called by their own name because they are present or exist

Fitting: to be suitable or proper

Filthiness: dishonor, shamefulness, obscenity

Foolish talking: silly talk, buffoonery

Course jesting: grossly or obscenely abusive, vulgar or indecent in speech, abusive

Not fitting: unbecoming, discreditable

But: a strong adversative conjunction – but instead

Rather: comparative adverb so it refers to what is better as compared to what is merely "good." This involves prioritizing or ranking to elevate the better over the good, i.e. the higher priority (the more important)

Giving of thanks: gratitude; actively, grateful language (to God, as an act of worship)

Nicknames are often given based on what we do, or some characteristic we have. What name is associated with you? Is it proper and suitable—for a Christian to have? Does the nickname represent Christ in a good way? 

Ephesians 5:3, 4 give a list of areas to avoid for they are discreditable in view of Christianity. Partaking in those things tarnishes your reputation and creates a pungent odor to God. 

BUT rather—Don't even begin to think about those pungent things, instead choose the BEST! And what is that BETTER thing to choose? Actively giving thanks to God! When we are actively involved in Thanks Living, our desire will be to choose the BEST! 

Continuous supply

Yesterday, I was trying to finish a project. My ink had shown "empty" for a few days....but I really didn't want to put in a new cartridge...they are expensive. So I figured I'd see how much I could squeeze out of the empty one. Now, I know that in the past I've been able to print many pages after I get the "low" message. But I had already printed those extra pages.

I started printing my project on Saturday....and kept printing and printing....with the printer flashing "ink too low to print". I felt like the lady in the Bible where the oil didn't run out. I was able to finish printing all my project...and there seems to still be ink left! I'll print some other items today...I'll let you all know when the ink really runs out!

Once again God stepped in and kept the ink flowing. I'm very grateful that I was able to finish my project without adding more ink. Why is this such a big deal? Because it is just one more way God is providing for me. The more I can print from one cartridge the less money I need to spend on ink. That money saved can be applied to bills or other needs.

Creating a positive day is noticing the little things God does! Often the little things go unnoticed and are forgotten. Taking time to notice the little things.....make any day brighter and better!