The radiance of God's glory (Hebrews 1) (Hebrews 1:1-14, John 3:16-18, John 1:1-5)

The words in Hebrews are beautiful.

Hi everyone-

New Jersey is finally cooling off.  Most of the homes that were destroyed by the hurricane have been rebuilt.  The weather has been hot, rainy and humid most of this year.  So now it's time for me to get back indoors (I have a tan yay!).  My husband and I started watching Duck Dynasty on TV, it's great.  They are a Christian family of woodsmen/hunters with bushy beards and a great sense of humor.  Their wives are beautiful ladies.  At the end of each show they say a prayer together.  This week they prayed to know God's love even more.

We had a sad situation in New Jersey though.  After the boardwalk and buildings in Seaside, by Toms River were restored a fire broke out and burned it all up.  Hard to believe it could happen, but it did.  Evidentally some wiring was damaged by the hurricane and caught fire.  Our governor, Chris Christie, is relentlessly telling us we'll be ok, we are resilient (stubborn).  I sure appreciate him.  He's right, I should've given up years ago but just couldn't.  The Lord keeps showing me something more to get excited about. 

Colorado has been having a rough time too.  They had some serious fires then flooding.  Feel free to pray with me if you like.

Dear Heavenly Father,
I praise You and thank You for bringing us through the storms.  I pray for mercy for the people in Colorado and Toms River, NJ.  Please heal these people from the terrible things they've experienced.  I pray You will help inspire people with new ideas on how to move forward.  Please comfort all Your people as I know You have comforted me.  Help us to see Your goodness and not just the bad stuff.  Your love never ends.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

No one is exactly sure who wrote the book of Hebrews in the Bible but it sure is beautiful.

Hebrews 1

1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

These verses describe Jesus.  It sounds like the verses in the Book of John:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
(John 1:1-5 NIV)

When I read these verses I wonder why I'd ever worry.  God has been busy since before creation.  Surely He can handle the stuff going on today.  These verses talk more about Jesus.

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,
“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father”?
Or again,
“I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son”?
6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,
“Let all God’s angels worship him.”

These verses remind me of the Book of John too.

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son
(John 3:16-18 NIV)

7 In speaking of the angels he says,
“He makes his angels spirits,
and his servants flames of fire.”
8 But about the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy.”
10 He also says,
“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
This verse reminds me of astronomy.  If you get a chance look at a book or website with photos from space (link) it's amazing out there.  The photos in the link were taken from the Hubble Spacecraft.

11 They will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
12 You will roll them up like a robe;like a garment they will be changed.
This world will pass away at some point in time.


But you remain the same,
and your years will never end.”
13 To which of the angels did God ever say,
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet”?
14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
(Hebrews 1:1-14 NIV)
God sent angels to watch out for us : )  With all the changes in the world today, it's great to know God will aways be the same today, tomorrow and yesterday.

This song by Michael W. Smith seems to fit this chapter Glorious Grace (link).