July 27, 2020
Hebrews 4:12-16
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.  Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
New International Version (NIV)
So who is your accountability partner?  In recent years this concept has become instrumental in our understanding of discipleship.  Unaccountable people come to no account.  Show me someone who answers to no one and I will show you one who may well get in trouble. 

Is there anyone big enough to hold us accountable?  There is!  God, whose words are sharper than a double-edged sword reveals the truth about each one of us.  What does God say about us?  What does God see in us?  The One who sees all knows our lives well and we will answer to him.  God sees what is done in secret.  We can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but we can never fool God.

How then shall we live?  This sounds like we are all in trouble, doesn’t it?  Don’t miss the therefore!  Therefore since we heave a high priest  . . . Jesus the Son of God.  To paraphrase with a popular song and the name of one of Tallowood's Connect Groups, “Don’t stop believing . . .”  Our accountability partner also faced temptation and did not sin.  So we draw near him with confidence.  He will give mercy for our past mistakes and grace to enable us to overcome sin. 

God is everywhere we go today.  The one who always speaks the truth and always sees our lives is the very one who gave up his life for us on the cross.  “Mercy there was great and grace was free...”  Hold on to Jesus like your life depended on him.  It does.  The one who knows you best, loves you most.  Christian, he will never let you go.
Pray with me:         
Father, like Jonah, we may run but we cannot hide from you.  You know us better than we know ourselves.  Help us to hold firmly to the faith we profess as we remember that Jesus empathizes with our weaknesses.  We thank you that Jesus never sinned so he is able to help us not to sin.  We claim that strength today, in Jesus’ name.  Amen. 
Join us in memorizing the Word.  Scripture for this week:    
Matthew 6:16-18
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan.  Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG 
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week.  In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year.  Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.  
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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