May the 4th Be With You

Verse Reference: Philippians 4:8-9

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise think about these things. What have you learned and received and heard and seen in me- practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9

Insight on Philippians 4:8-9: Paul is telling the people of the community to commend everything and give everything to God, and build upon the peace to be with you during these tough time, but in these times of trouble you can come to this verse to receive the word and practice these things that were mentioned in the verses above.

Hebrews 7:

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever. See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.

Jesus Compared to Melchizedek

 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him,“You are a priest forever,after the order of Melchizedek.”For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:“The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind,‘You are a priest forever.’”This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.  Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

In Hebrews chapter 7, Melchizedek is the high priest, and met Abraham in the fields. I want to bring into this whole chapter in Hebrews to share with you when you are preparing for college finals, or when you are going through life in general. I pray that this chapter in Hebrews washes over you in these times of trouble. Paul is alluding to Old Testament prophecy with Melchizedek the high priest of the city in that time period.

I am going to put this short since I have been having alot of stuff that I need to accomplish in the next couple of weeks with the school semester finishing up in 2 weeks.

Tomorrow’s Verse References will be: Hebrews 8-13; Colossians 1-2

Prayer:

Pray for the college students who are preparing to finish their semesters, and pray that they have peace through college finals, and remaining assignments of the semester.

Pray that the curve flattens out of the cases of COVID-19.

Praise:

Mexico Mission Trip got pushed to December, pray that I get financially supported for the trip.

In Jesus Precious Name, Amen.

Joyfully In Him,

Ian