In these two chapters, the author of Hebrews is encouraging Jewish believers to hold on to their confidence in Jesus by pointing out that he is the only one that can lead them to rest. Even Moses, who was faithful to his calling, couldn't succeed at leading the Israelites to rest, but we have access to God's rest in Jesus. We'll end by talking through some practical ways to "strive to enter that rest" (4:11).

The scriptures are a treasure of priceless value and in them is the description and knowledge of Jesus. The book of Hebrews describes and reinforces the supreme nature of Jesus, reminding us that He is over all, has the greatest name and is superior in love to all.

Today we celebrate fathers and the Father. The Father is the source of life, the determiner of our identity and the one who first made and then loved us. People and individuals are unhealthy to the degree that their fathers are absent, and we are healthy as a person and a society when the Father is present. A part of every believer's journey in life is to develop a healthy relationship with our Heavenly Father.

Following Jesus means living counter-culture lives. Jesus did the opposite of everyone else and has given to us His Spirit to indwell us so that "as He is, so are we in this world." Our lives are to reflect His life, not just value His words and position. More than anytime in our lives, we are living in days where light is needed and we are the light of the world.

After it was prophesied for thousands of years, Jesus preparing people for His coming, 50 days after the death of Jesus, the promise of the Father came. The Holy Spirit came upon and within the followers of Jesus and the birth of the Church began. It was not just an event, but a beginning of a lasting empowerment and indwelling that would happen through every generation until Jesus returns and He is here, in us, helping us and overflowing through us to do the works of Jesus.

Jesus has a beautifully different view of women than you may have heard. Beth took us on a tour of women in the word beginning with Eve and how the Lord fashioned her and made her in his image. Finally we looked at how Jesus sees women, how that challenged the religious leaders of his day, and is continuing to challenge us today.

God commands and instructs people to do things so that they remain free, help and love others and avoid sin. And God invites all to receive, so that what He paid for and sent fills our lives. This infilling is empowering and the very promise of the Father that Jesus came to deliver to us. Our part is to believe in Jesus and then receive what He wants to give - His Holy Spirit.

The most ignored, misunderstood and avoided person in the Universe is actually the Spirit that Jesus sent to reside inside of His bride. He is the power of God and the comfort of God, doing what human strength and ingenuity cannot do and filling our lives with wonder.

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