John 19:5 :: Behold the Man!

Reader:

“Behold the Man!”

Pilate spoke these words as he presented Jesus – scourged, crowned with thorns, clothed in a purple robe – to the priests and crowd.

Their response: “Crucify Him!” believing Him to be nothing.

An alternative response: “Crown Him!” believing Him to be everything.

When you look at Jesus, who is it that you behold? A man who is nothing? Or, the Man who is everything?

(Zec 6:12; 1 Sam 9:17; Isa 53; Ps 22; Matt 11, 16; Num 25; 1 Kgs 18-19; Zec 1:14, 8:2; John 20:28; Acts 9; 2 Cor 11-12; Gal 1; Phil 3; Rev 3:19)

Posted on April 1, 2018 by Blake West and filed under Topical and tagged Easter Crucify Crown Zeal.

Hebrews 6:9-20 :: Heavy Attachment

Reader:

Because Jesus is better we are confident of better things, things that hold onto salvation through faith and patience.

God does not hide Himself from our lives – our deeds, desires, and diligence.

Rather, God gives us His sure promises which are to be continual sources of encouragement.

Attach yourself to hope. Not wishful hope, but the confident expectation that God will do exactly as He has promised.

This hope anchors, attaches, our souls to Him in a manner that withstands every storm of life.

(Heb 1:4, 4:1, 13, 5:11, 9:3, 10:20, 23, 11:1, 39; 12:2; Gen 22:17; Ex 32:13; Isa 45:23; Jer 22:5, 49:13; Num 35; Jos 20; 2 Cor 1:3-7)

Posted on March 25, 2018 by Blake West and filed under Hebrews and tagged Hold Salvation Comfort Hope.

Hebrews 5:1-6:8 :: Herbs & Thorns

Reader:

Hebrews 5 advances the topic of Jesus Christ as our great High Priest introduced in 2:17-18 and 4:14-16.

Similarities are drawn between Jesus and other priests, like Aaron.

Yet, in many ways, Jesus is unique to other priests, like Melchizedek.

But, before the writer can discuss this topic in depth, he had to address a heart issue in his readers – their dullness of hearing. Lack of obedience to what one has heard has a direct correlation to one’s immaturity in their relationship with Jesus.

This concept leads to one of the most challenging passages of the New Testament, Hebrews 6:4-6, which is reinforced by imagery about rain.

The rain falls on all land. The fruit the land produces is dependent upon the type of seed in the ground and how the ground is cultivated.

May His word produce herbs in your life, not thorns.

(Ex 28-29, 32; Ps 2 , 110, 22, 116; Pr v 28:9; 1 Cor 3:2; Gal 4:1-6; Eph 4:13-16; Heb 6:18, 10:4, 11:6; John 6:39-40; Phil 2:12; 1 John 3:9; Mat t 7:23; Gen 3:17-19)

Posted on March 18, 2018 by Blake West and filed under Hebrews and tagged Priest Hear Heed.

Hebrews 4 :: Promises Possessed

Reader:

Jesus is better because Jesus is rest.

Rest is the possession of His promises.

Unbelief does not enter His rest. Hearing His voice and intermingling His Word with faith enters His rest.

Hiding from His Word does not enter His rest. Nakedness and openness before His eyes and His Word enters His rest.

Open your eyes towards Jesus the Son of God, our great High Priest, and our great Physician. Expose every area of your life to Him. He is compassionate with your sickness and need. He is gracious, merciful, and helpful.

Ask Him boldly and confidently with faith to remove that inanimate heart of stone from your chest and to give you a new heart and a new spirit, a living heart of flesh.

This is how we enter and abide in His rest.

(Mat t 11:28-30; Ps 95; Gen 2:2; Deut 3:20; Jos 23:1; John 5:17; Rev 14:13; John 1:1-18; Rom 10:17; Jos 5:13-15; Isa 55:11; Gen 2:25, 3:7; Isa 53; Lev 16; Phi l 2:5-11, 4:6-7; Jas 1:12-18; Ezek 36; Jer 31)


  i. God’s Word brings true health, fruitfulness, prosperity and success to what we do (Psalm 1:3).

  ii. The Word of God has healing power and the power to deliver from oppression (Psalm 107:20, Matthew 8:8, Matthew 8:16).

  iii. God’s Word cleans us. If we take heed according to God’s word, our way will be cleansed (Psalm 119:9, John 15:3, Ephesians 5:26).

  iv. The Word of God, hidden in our hearts, keeps us from sin (Psalm 119:11).

  v. God’s Word is a counselor. When we delight in God’s word, it becomes a rich source of counsel and guidance for us (Psalm 119:24).

  vi. God’s Word is a source of strength (Psalm 119:28).

  vii. God’s Word imparts life. It is a continual source of life (Psalm 119:93 and Matthew 4:4).

  viii. God’s Word is a source of illumination and guidance. When God’s word comes in, light comes in. It makes the simple wise and understanding (Psalm 119:105 and Psalm 119:130).

  ix. God’s Word gives peace to those who love it. They are secure, standing in a safe place (Psalm 119:165).

  x. When the Word of God is heard and understood, it bears fruit (Matthew 13:23).

  xi. The Word of God has inherent power and authority against demonic powers (Luke 4:36).

  xii. Jesus Himself—His eternal person—is described as the Word. When we are into the word of God, we are into Jesus (John 1:1).

  xiii. Hearing God’s Word is essential to eternal life. One cannot pass from death into life unless they hear the Word of God (John 5:24, James 1:21, 1 Peter 1:23).

  xiv. Abiding—living in—God’s Word is evidence of true discipleship (John 8:31).

  xv. God’s Word is the means to sanctification (John 17:17).

  xvi. The Holy Spirit can work with great power as the Word of God is preached (Acts 10:44).

  xvii. Hearing God’s Word builds faith (Romans 10:17).

  xviii. Holding fast to the Word of God gives assurance of salvation (1 Corinthians 15:2).

  xix. The faithful handling of the Word of God gives the ministers of the word a clear conscience. They know that they did all they could before God (2 Corinthians 4:2 and Philippians 2:16).

  xx. The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. It is equipment for spiritual battle, especially in the idea of an offensive weapon (Ephesians 6:17).

  xxi. The Word of God comes with the power of the Holy Spirit, with “much assurance” (1 Thessalonians 1:5).

  xxii. The Word of God works effectively in those who believe (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

  xxiii. The Word of God sanctifies the very food we eat! (1 Timothy 4:5).

  xxiv. The Word of God is not dead; it is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword. The Word of God can probe us like a surgeon’s expert scalpel, cutting away what needs to be cut and keeping what needs to be kept (Hebrews 4:12).

  xxv. The Word of God is the Christian’s source of spiritual growth (1 Peter 2:2 and 1 Corinthians 2:1–5).


Guzik, D. (2013). Hebrews (Heb 4:12–13). Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik.

Posted on March 11, 2018 by Blake West and filed under Hebrews and tagged Rest Promises Faith Word.

Hebrews 3 :: Heavenward Pilgrimage

Reader:

Jesus is better because Jesus is faithful.

There are many others, like Moses, who have been faithful servants in the house of God. But Christ as a faithful Son built God’s house – which are those who hold fast to Jesus. The faithfulness of Jesus outshines all others.

This is where the letter’s second exhortation and warning are introduced.

“Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…”

A heart becomes hard – stubborn and obstinate – through the seduction and delusion of sin. A hard heart rebels. A hard heart is unwilling. A hard heart refuses. A hard heart opposes. A hard heart produces unbelief, not faithfulness. A hard heart does not enter His house. A hard heart does not enter His rest.

Today, right now, choose to hear and obey His voice.

(Num 12:7, 20:12; Eph 2:19ff ; Ps 95; Phil l 1:6; Acts 20:24; Ex 17; Num 13-14; Matt 12:31, 13:58, 17:20; Gen 3:13; Rev 20:3, 7, 10; 2 Cor 11:3; 1 Tim 2:14)

Posted on March 4, 2018 by Blake West and filed under Hebrews and tagged Faithful Unbelief.

Hebrews 2 :: We See Jesus

Reader:

Jesus is better because Jesus is fully God.

Hebrews 2 begins with the letter’s first exhortation and warning. Since Jesus is better, we must pay special and specific attention to what He has said. Otherwise, amid our lack of care we will slip away from Him.

The writer’s argument as to why Jesus is better continues…

Jesus is better because Jesus is fully Man.

Jesus is better because Jesus is fully Savior.

Our God, the creator of the heavens and the earth, created man, male and female, in His image. Because of sin, we lost the privilege to bear His image – we lost life and were put under the bondage of death. Our God ran to our aid by making Himself in our image to experience death for everyone. Through faith in Him, in His death and resurrection, we have been released from death and have been restored to eternal life.

That’s why Jesus – fully God, fully Man, fully Savior – is better.

(Heb 6:19; Ps 8:4-6; Gen 1:26-28; Heb 1:3; Isa 52:13-53:12; Isa 60:19; Jos 5:14-15; Ps 22:22; Isa 8:17, 18; Heb 4:14-16; Matt 4:1-11, 26:39-44, 27:46)

Posted on February 25, 2018 by Blake West and filed under Hebrews and tagged Attention Care Humanity.

Hebrews 1 :: Have You Heard?

Reader:

Have you heard? Jesus is better.

Better than what? He is better than whatever you have and whatever you want.

Hebrews begins by establishing that Jesus is better than the Old Testament prophets and He is better than the angels God created.

Jesus is better because He is a Son. What father does not like to talk about his son?

Listen to all that God the Father has spoken about God the Son.

(the video at the beginning of this recording is from TheBibleProject.com)

(Matt 17:5; Rev 2:7, 3:21, 5:14; Deut 33:2; Seven OT Quotes: Ps 2:7; 2 Sam 7:14; Deut 32:43 [Sept.][Ps 97:7]; Ps 104:4; Ps 45:6-7; Ps 102:25-27; Ps 110:1)

Posted on February 18, 2018 by Blake West and filed under Hebrews and tagged Word Son.

Zechariah 14 :: My God Will Come

Reader:

Here is the final chapter – not only of Zechariah, but also of life as we know it.

For this chapter is all about the “day of the LORD.” This is the day Jesus will descend from heaven and stand on the Mount of Olives. This is the day the LORD of hosts shall be King. This is the day the LORD my God will come.

The description is both painful and blissful. For some, this day causes great panic. For others, this day causes great worship. The difference in reaction is based solely on one’s opinion of Jesus.

To those who regard Him as King, His banner “HOLINESS TO THE LORD” flies over their lives.

To those who reject Him as King, the banner “a Canaanite” flies over their lives.

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” (Rev 22:17)

 

(Zep 1:14-18; Rev 16:12-16, 19:11-21, 22:1-5; Mat t 24:29-31; Eze 47; John 7:37-39; Jer 31:38; Deut 6:4; Eph 4:5-6; Acts 4:12; Phi l 2:5-11; Ex 28:31-38; Rev 21:27, 22:15)

Posted on February 11, 2018 by Blake West and filed under Zechariah and tagged 2nd Coming Kingship Worship Holiness.

Zechariah 13 :: Names

Reader:

What’s your name?

Why? Because your name is your identity.

For instance, when you read the name, “John,” who comes to mind? Regardless of how many people you know that are named “John,” you can identify each individual separately. What you have experienced or observed about a particular “John” relates to how you define “John.”

Ultimately, we lack a tremendous amount of information as we attempt to define others, and even ourselves.

What about when you read the name of Jesus? How do you define Jesus? How does Jesus define Himself?

In Zechariah 13, we see the LORD exterminating the names, the identities, the definitions of God that are sourced apart from His self-revelation.

When we call on the name of Jesus for salvation, for life, when we say that, “The LORD is my God,” God answers and says, “[You] are My people.” Because He is our God and we are His people, He will not tolerate any other gods in our lives.

May He cut off every idol from the landscape of our minds and hearts. May we receive our new names, our new identities, from Him.

Posted on February 4, 2018 by Blake West and filed under Zechariah and tagged Blood Idolatry Name.

Zechariah 12 :: Poured Upon

Reader:

Chapters 12-14 represent a singular context in Zechariah’s prophecy.  The first verse reminds us of who truly sourced these words: “Thus says the LORD, who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth and forms the spirit of man within him.”

These are not man’s words, man’s ideas, nor man’s desires – these are the very words of the Being who created the heavens and the earth and human beings in His image.

There is a day coming when, “the LORD will save,” when “the LORD will defend,” Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem. These words give us insight into the mindsets of those who support, and of those who oppose, the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem.

There is a day coming when God will pour, “the Spirit of grace and supplication,” upon the nation of Israel.

From the moment your mind was first awakened to the reality that there is a God, He has been pouring out His Spirit of grace, underserved favor, upon you. His grace enables you to look, to really see, Jesus who was pierced, not just on your behalf, but by you. His grace enables you to mourn – a godly sorrow that produces repentance and leads to salvation. His grace enables you to ask for more grace.

Ask in faith in Jesus.

Posted on January 28, 2018 by Blake West and filed under Zechariah and tagged Grace.

Zechariah 11 :: Howl

Reader:

Please notice the dramatic shift that occurs in Zechariah’s prophecy.

The prior chapter begins with a command: “Ask the LORD for rain.”

Chapter 11 also begins with a command: “Open your doors… that fire may devour…”

Why the shift? Because God’s people are not hearing nor heeding His Word.

The nation of Israel had achieved the short-term goal of rebuilding the temple but the long-term goal of rebuilding their relationship with God remained in rubble.

Fire, or judgment, is coming because people have rejected God as their only Shepherd.

Part of this prophecy was fulfilled when Judas betrayed Jesus. Part of this prophecy was fulfilled when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in AD 70. Part of this prophecy will be fulfilled when the Antichrist arrives.

Have you fully returned to the LORD? Is Jesus truly your only Shepherd? His heart remains wide open to you. Hear and heed His voice.

(Isa 64; Jer 18, 22, 25; Eze 34, 37; Matt 26:14-16, 27:3-9; Acts 1:16-20; Rom 9:19-21; 2 Tim2:20-26; John 5:43, 10; Rev 13)

Posted on January 21, 2018 by Blake West and filed under Zechariah and tagged Fire Rejection.

Zechariah 10 :: Thrive

Reader:

The major theme of Zechariah seems to focus around what will occur when the LORD of hosts returns.

We can relate this to His presence in our lives today and our great anticipation of the soon return of Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords.

In chapter 10, Zechariah’s prophecy focuses on the future restoration of Judah and Israel. This chapter is setup by the last verse of chapter 9: “Grain shall make the young men THRIVE, and new wine the young women.”

For one to enjoy bread and wine the crop must have produced its fruit. For a crop to produce its fruit it must be watered. Therefore, God tells us to ask Him for rain.

Ask Him, in faith, to provide all that is necessary for His desired fruit to be produced in your life.

May you THRIVE in His presence!

Posted on January 14, 2018 by Blake West and filed under Zechariah and tagged Revival Rain.

Zechariah 9:1-10:1 :: Prisoners of Hope

Reader:

Your King is coming to you!

This truth may strike fear or joy. 

"Return to Me," says the LORD, "and I will return to you."

Seek God today. Ask Him to revive your life - to revive your relationship with Him. He is passionately in love with you. His heart is wide open to you. Open your heart wide open to Him. Ask Him for rain - to refresh your mind and to awaken the seeds He has planted in your heart.

Through faith in Jesus Christ, our Father has freed us from all prisons and has caused us to be Prisoners of Hope - your King is coming to you! 

Posted on January 7, 2018 by Blake West and filed under Zechariah and tagged Revival Rain Hope.