Newest Addition Coming This Summer!

Ultrasound March 29th. 

:-)

Hebrews 10:1-17 with Matthew Henry Commentary

Hebrews 10:1-17

King James Version (KJV)

10 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;

9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

~*~

Matthew Henry's Commentary
Verses 1-17

Here the apostle, by the direction of the Spirit of God, sets himself to lay low the Levitical dispensation; for though it was of divine appointment, and very excellent and useful in its time and place, yet, when it was set up in competition with Christ, to whom it was only designed to lead the people, it was very proper and necessary to show the weakness and imperfection of it, which the apostle does effectually, from several arguments. As,

I. That the law had a shadow, and but a shadow, of good things to come; and who would dote upon a shadow, though of good things, especially when the substance has come? Observe, 1. The things of Christ and the gospel are good things; they are the best things; they are best in themselves, and the best for us: they are realities of an excellent nature. 2. These good things were, under the Old Testament, good things to come, not clearly discovered, nor fully enjoyed. 3. That the Jews then had but the shadow of the good things of Christ, some adumbrations of them; we under the gospel have the substance.

II. That the law was not the very image of the good things to come. An image is an exact draught of the thing represented thereby. The law did not go so far, but was only a shadow, as the image of a person in a looking-glass is a much more perfect representation than his shadow upon the wall. The law was a very rough draught of the great design of divine grace, and therefore not to be so much doted on.

III. The legal sacrifices, being offered year by year, could never make the comers thereunto perfect; for then there would have been an end of offering them, Heb. 10:1, 2. Could they have satisfied the demands of justice, and made reconciliation for iniquity,—could they have purified and pacified conscience,—then they had ceased, as being no further necessary, since the offerers would have had no more sin lying upon their consciences. But this was not the case; after one day of atonement was over, the sinner would fall again into one fault or another, and so there would be need of another day of atonement, and of one every year, besides the daily ministrations. Whereas now, under the gospel, the atonement is perfect, and not to be repeated; and the sinner, once pardoned, is ever pardoned as to his state, and only needs to renew his repentance and faith, that he may have a comfortable sense of a continued pardon.

IV. As the legal sacrifices did not of themselves take away sin, so it was impossible they should, Heb. 10:4. There was an essential defect in them. 1. They were not of the same nature with us who sinned. 2. They were not of sufficient value to make satisfaction for the affronts offered to the justice and government of God. They were not of the same nature that offended, and so could not be suitable. Much less were they of the same nature that was offended; and nothing less than the nature that was offended could make the sacrifice a full satisfaction for the offence. 3. The beasts offered up under the law could not consent to put themselves in the sinner’s room and place. The atoning sacrifice must be one capable of consenting, and must voluntarily substitute himself in the sinner’s stead: Christ did so.

V. There was a time fixed and foretold by the great God, and that time had now come, when these legal sacrifices would be no longer accepted by him nor useful to men. God never did desire them for themselves, and now he abrogated them; and therefore to adhere to them now would be resisting God and rejecting him. This time of the repeal of the Levitical laws was foretold by David (Ps. 40:6, 7), and is recited here as now come. Thus industriously does the apostle lay low the Mosaical dispensation.

Here the apostle raises up and exalts the Lord Jesus Christ, as high as he had laid the Levitical priesthood low. He recommends Christ to them as the true high priest, the true atoning sacrifice, the antitype of all the rest: and this he illustrates,

I. From the purpose and promise of God concerning Christ, which are frequently recorded in the volume of the book of God, Heb. 10:7. God had not only decreed, but declared by Moses and the prophets, that Christ should come and be the great high priest of the church, and should offer up a perfect and a perfecting sacrifice. It was written of Christ, in the beginning of the book of God, that the seed of the woman should break the serpent’s head; and the Old Testament abounds with prophecies concerning Christ. Now since he is the person so often promised, so much spoken of, so long expected by the people of God, he ought to be received with great honour and gratitude.

II. From what God had done in preparing a body for Christ (that is, a human nature), that he might be qualified to be our Redeemer and Advocate; uniting the two natures in his own person, he was a fit Mediator to go between God and man; a days-man to lay his hand upon both, a peace-maker, to reconcile them, and an everlasting band of union between God and the creature—“My ears hast thou opened; thou has fully instructed me, furnished and fitted me for the work, and engaged me in it,” Ps. 40:6. Now a Saviour thus provided, and prepared by God himself in so extraordinary a manner, ought to be received with great affection and gladness.

III. From the readiness and willingness that Christ discovered to engage in this work, when no other sacrifice would be accepted, Heb. 10:7-9. When no less sacrifice would be a proper satisfaction to the justice of God than that of Christ himself, then Christ voluntarily came into it: “Lo, I come! I delight to do thy will, O God! Let thy curse fall upon me, but let these go their way. Father, I delight to fulfil thy counsels, and my covenant with thee for them; I delight to perform all thy promises, to fulfil all the prophecies.” This should endear Christ and our Bibles to us, that in Christ we have the fulfilling of the scriptures.

IV. From the errand and design upon which Christ came; and this was to do the will of God, not only as a prophet to reveal the will of God, not only as a king to give forth divine laws, but as a priest to satisfy the demands of justice, and to fulfil all righteousness. Christ came to do the will of God in two instances. 1. In taking away the first priesthood, which God had no pleasure in; not only taking away the curse of the covenant of works, and canceling the sentence denounced against us as sinners, but taking away the insufficient typical priesthood, and blotting out the hand-writing of ceremonial ordinances and nailing it to his cross. 2. In establishing the second, that is, his own priesthood and the everlasting gospel, the most pure and perfect dispensation of the covenant of grace; this is the great design upon which the heart of God was set from all eternity. The will of God centers and terminates in it; and it is not more agreeable to the will of God than it is advantageous to the souls of men; for it is by this will that we are sanctified, through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all, Heb. 10:10. Observe, (1.) What is the fountain of all that Christ has done for his people—the sovereign will and grace of God. (2.) How we come to partake of what Christ has done for us—by being sanctified, converted, effectually called, wherein we are united to Christ, and so partake of the benefits of his redemption; and this sanctification is owing to the oblation he made of himself to God.

V. From the perfect efficacy of the priesthood of Christ (Heb. 10:14): By one offering he hath for ever perfected those that are sanctified; he has delivered and will perfectly deliver those that are brought over to him, from all the guilt, power, and punishment of sin, and will put them into the sure possession of perfect holiness and felicity. This is what the Levitical priesthood could never do; and, if we indeed are aiming at a perfect state, we must receive the Lord Jesus as the only high priest that can bring us to that state.

VI. From the place to which our Lord Jesus is now exalted, the honour he has there, and the further honour he shall have: This man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins, for ever sat down at the right hand of God, henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool, Heb. 10:12, 13. Here observe, 1. To what honour Christ, as man and Mediator, is exalted—to the right hand of God, the seat of power, interest, and activity: the giving hand; all the favours that God bestows on his people are handed to them by Christ: the receiving hand; all the duties that God accepts from men are presented by Christ: the working hand; all that pertains to the kingdoms of providence and grace is administered by Christ; and therefore this is the highest post of honour. 2. How Christ came to this honour—not merely by the purpose or donation of the Father, but by his own merit and purchase, as a reward due to his sufferings; and, as he can never be deprived of an honour so much his due, so he will never quit it, nor cease to employ it for his people’s good. 3. How he enjoys this honour—with the greatest satisfaction and rest; he is for ever sitting down there. The Father acquiesces and is satisfied in him; he is satisfied in his Father’s will and presence; this is his rest for ever; here he will dwell, for he has both desired and deserved it. 4. He has further expectations, which shall not be disappointed; for they are grounded upon the promise of the Father, who hath said unto him, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool, Ps. 110:1. One would think such a person as Christ could have no enemies except in hell; but it is certain that he has enemies on earth, very many, and very inveterate ones. Let not Christians then wonder that they have enemies, though they desire to live peaceably with all men. But Christ’s enemies shall be made his footstool; some by conversion, others by confusion; and, which way soever it be, Christ will be honoured. Of this Christ is assured, this he is expecting, and his people should rejoice in the expectation of it; for, when his enemies shall be subdued, their enemies, that are so for his sake, shall be subdued also.

VII. The apostle recommends Christ from the witness the Holy Ghost has given in the scriptures concerning him; this relates chiefly to what should be the happy fruit and consequence of his humiliation and sufferings, which in general is that new and gracious covenant that is founded upon his satisfaction, and sealed by his blood (Heb. 10:15): Whereof the Holy Ghost is a witness. The passage is cited from Jer. 31:31; in which covenant God promises, 1. That he will pour out his Spirit upon his people, so as to give them wisdom, will, and power, to obey his word; he will put his laws in their hearts, and write them in their minds, Heb. 10:16. This will make their duty plain, easy, and pleasant. 2. Their sins and iniquities he will remember no more (Heb. 10:17), which will alone show the riches of divine grace, and the sufficiency of Christ’s satisfaction, that it needs not be repeated, Heb. 10:18. For there shall be no more remembrance of sin against true believers, either to shame them now or to condemn them hereafter. This was much more than the Levitical priesthood and sacrifices could effect.

And now we have gone through the doctrinal part of the epistle, in which we have met with many things dark and difficult to be understood, which we must impute to the weakness and dulness of our own minds. The apostle now proceeds to apply this great doctrine, so as to influence their affections, and direct their practice, setting before them the dignities and duties of the gospel state.

What it REALLY means to let God plan our family.

There seem to be some common misconceptions about the "Quiverfull" lifestyle, a name dubbed from Psalm 127, which also calls children a heritage and a reward from the Lord. These misconceptions are shared by both Christians and non-believers as well.

First, we acknowledge and accept with all humility that GOD is the ONLY Creator of life. WE do not make babies, only GOD does! Without a soul, there would be NO life, and only God can create an immortal soul and knit it together into a body of flesh during the nine month journey within a mother's womb. This soul is created BEFORE conception (Jer 1:5) and is implanted into the body vessel at the moment of conception, when life biologically begins. Biology can explain the formation of the body of flesh, but only God can provide the soul that gives that body life. 

The Christian life, the life that has been washed by the Blood of our Saviour and dedicated to the Lord, is a life of faith. Faith in our Lord, trusting that He knows what is best for us, and will provide for our every need. (Prov 3:5-6) In TRUSTING the Lord coupled with KNOWING that He alone is the Author of life, we can thereby TRUST that the Lord will ONLY give conception if #1, it is in His plan for that child to be born; #2, it is in His plan for us to be the parents of that child; and #3, He is willing to provide for said child. 

The LORD opens and closes the womb by His sovereign hand (Isaiah 44:2, 24; Genesis 20:18; 29:31; 30:2, 22; 49:25; 1 Samuel 1:5-6; Job 31:15; Psalm 139:13; Jeremiah 1:5; Exodus 23:26; Deut 7:14), and no amount of biological action can create a baby if God is not willing. There are many families who experience that fact firsthand, and my heart goes out to them along with my prayers. <3

Second, we do not hoard children. Children are not the latest commodity that we just HAVE to have! They aren't shoes, or trinkets, or status for that matter. They are eternal living souls that we are only borrowing for a time. Our children are on loan to us so that we may raise them up in the Lord, then give them BACK to Him one day, as Hannah did (1 Samuel), when they are ready to answer the call upon their lives to come to know Christ and follow Him. Our children do not belong to US, they belong to HIM! We welcome them, of course! We love children, we desire the blessing and favor of the Lord, who wouldn't? Yet sadly many become so wrapped up in culture that they would gladly accept the blessing of money or possessions over the even greater blessing of children. We don't MAKE children happen, because we know that it is fruitless. We simply enjoy the blessing that God has placed on marriage, the physical relationship between husband and wife (1 Cor 7:5), and trust that God knows what He is doing. We don't fret if it doesn't happen because we know that by God's will alone a child is born. We don't force it, we don't desecrate the holy marriage bed by enjoying one another only in order to cause conception. We simply rest in the promise of God, and trust in His timing.

Believe it or not, MOST "quiverfull minded" families do NOT grow up to have 20 children! Exceptionally large families are the exception, not the rule! The average number of children in Lord-planned homes is usually around five or six. Not to mention that I don't believe ANY large family will tell you that they planned to have that many children from the get-go, but that they were simply open to whatever the Lord had in store for them. :-) I know we didn't. The Lord has a way of convicting hearts, and softening them, and changing them. Once we began to see the truth of the matter, about where children came from, and who created them, we found freedom and peace in knowing that God would provide for any place He will lead us. Then, once we began to see children as a blessing, a heritage, and an investment in the Kingdom of God, our whole attitude changed completely. 

Lastly, and this is the one that I really cannot understand.... we are not selfish for bringing children into the world. Well, first off, WE don't bring children into the world, but we've already covered that. The ONLY thing we can choose to do is either let them live or kill them via abortion. Once we choose to participate in the physical bond meant as a blessing for marriage, that is the only role we play. Second, how in the world can giving our lives to serve, raise, educate, and care for our children be seen as selfish or self-serving? Serving others has no root in selfishness. As aforementioned, we do not collect children. We choose to accept them and bring them up for the Lord alone, regardless of self. God does not call us to mind our own best interests or to follow our heart. The heart is deceitful above all else and no man can know it. However, He does call us to HIS best interests FOR us, which can only be seen and felt if we allow HIM to be in control of our lives.

We welcome children into our lives as a heritage, as blessings, because that is how God sees children, and that is how He gives them. NO child is a mistake, or unplanned, and NO conception happens without the hand of God over it. Resting in His promises, we welcome children into our lives. We willingly welcome the Lord's use of our bodies, our time, our money, and our resources to make this possible, because we know that the HOME is the greatest mission field in the world, for it is where eternal souls are brought up which will one day make an impact on this world. 

"Oh that God would give every mother a vision of the glory and splendor of the work that is given to her when a babe is place in her bosom to be nursed and trained! Could she have but one glimpse in to the future of that life as it reaches on into eternity; could she look into it's soul to see its possibilities; could she be made to understand her own personal responsibility for the training of this child, for the development of its life, and for its destiny,--she would see that in all God's world there is no other work so noble and so worthy of her best powers, and she would commit to no others hands the sacred and holy trust given to her." -JR Miller

Aromatherapy/EO Myths

*MYTH #1: Aromatherapists often promote safety guidelines that do not apply to certain brands of oils because those brands are of higher quality than all other brands.
TRUTH: Safety guidelines are applicable to all brands of high quality essential oils. If a company is selling adulterated/diluted/poor quality oils, those should never be used for any form of aromatherapy. However, safety guidelines stay the same for all pure essential oils, regardless of the name on the label.

*MYTH #2: As long as you use pure oils, you can put any of them undiluted (neat) on the skin. Some oils are "hot" and can cause red, inflamed skin, which is not a concern because it is a detox response.
TRUTH: The vast majority of essential oils should never be used neat on the skin, not because of quality concerns, but because oils are extremely potent substances. Some oils are known irritants and red, inflamed skin is a sign that those irritants are doing what they do - irritating the skin. Other oils are known sensitizers, so they can actually cause allergic reactions after long term use of undiluted oils. Therefore, properly diluted oils are optimal for topical aromatherapeutic use.

*MYTH #3: Essential oils are the lifeblood of the plant.
TRUTH: Essential oils are secondary metabolites, which means they are substances that are produced by the plant, but are not necessary (or "essential") for the plant's survival or primary functions.

*MYTH #4: Essential oils are natural and safe, so you don't have to worry about specific applications or dosing, side effects, contraindications, interactions, allergies, or any other restrictions when using oils.
TRUTH: Like any full strength botanical medication, essential oils are powerful substances and can cause reactions. Before using any natural supplement you should always study the specific remedy and make sure you know about the potential contraindications, interactions, and reactions, as well as how to respond so such a reaction. Learn how to use the supplement safely and what to do if you have a unique response.

*MYTH #5: "Therapeutic Grade" oils are the best oils you can use.
TRUTH: There is no such thing as a recognized therapeutic grade in aromatherapy. The various "certifications" that include that phrase are actually marketing slogans that are registered trademarks of various companies and do not hold any actual significance in regards to oil quality. The best way to ensure you have a high quality oil is to look at the GLC analysis, which any reputable company will provide, and to ask about organic certification. These two factors combined can provide much more factual information about an oil than a trademarked slogan.

*MYTH #6: You should never use lavender or tea tree oil on little boys because it can alter their hormonal development.
TRUTH: There is no clinical evidence to support this rumor. Both of these oils are safe to use (according to recommended uses) with children of all ages.

*MYTH #7: Essential oils are nutrients to the body that contain vitamins and hormones and can cure certain nutrient deficiencies.
TRUTH: Essential oils are volatile substances; vitamins are not. Essential oils do not contain any vitamins or human hormones. They cannot cure nutrient deficiencies because the only way to cure a deficiency is with the depleted nutrient.
  
*MYTH #8: The best essential oils come from the "first pressing" or "first distillation." 
TRUTH: Essential oils are typically steam distilled, though citrus oils are cold pressed. The distillation process is not repeated with used plant matter and it wouldn't make sense to turn off the still before the plants have been distilled. Essential oils are produced in one complete distillation, and are not separated with the exception of ylang ylang.


FOLLOW ALONG AT VINTAGE REMEDIES ON FACEBOOK!

Grace and Salt

Just because we have the blessed Gospel and the indwelling of the Spirit, that does not give us the authority to exercise judgement that we have not been called to exercise. We are to test all things according to Scripture, yes, but above all, having been recipients of grace, we are called to a ministry of grace. I don't care what ministry you say you have been called to, it will be a ministry of grace. We are NOT called to be judge, jury, and executioner. There is only ONE who can fill those roles, and He most certainly will when the time is right. We have been called as ambassadors of Christ, as trophies of His Grace, that we might share the Gospel of Grace among all nations. Grace is not without discipline, but grace is always guided by love; brotherly love. TRUE brotherly love. Rejecting one who does not agree with you is neither grace nor love. Punishing someone who, in their ignorance and sinful state, blasphemes against the One Holy God is not love. Using prayer requests as an excuse to gossip and entice others into a merciless and graceless act of retaliation is not love, neither is it holy.

As much grace as we have received, so should we extend to others, ALL the time, without excuse. I am SO glad that my Lord is longsuffering toward me. In my ignorance, He did not reject me and leave me reprobate. In my ignorance, He did not scald me in His wrath. He gently guided me, shepherded me, to the place where I would finally heed His call on bended knee with a broken and contrite heart. My mind calls to memory also those who were patient with me, those who gracefully called me to repentance rather than those who harshly rebuked me in my ignorance. Speech ALWAYS with grace, seasoned with salt. It's a learning curve, but a necessary one for ANY Christian. If you REALLY have the concern for souls that we should have as Christians, those lost, blind, and deaf in their ignorance will bring you to prayer in TEARS rather than kindle anger in you. If you are angry, you are being selfish. What right have WE to be angry when God HIMSELF is patient unto the Day of Wrath? Take no personal offense, because it isn't about us! It's about their soul, and about what Christ can do in them! Grace, Pure Grace. That is what the born-again Christian walk is ALL about. Remember that miry pit of sin and death from whence you came. We all must walk the same road, so extend that same grace to others.

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
~Galatians 5:14

(See: Romans 12)

 

 

I Stand Redeemed.

I stand redeemed.

This does not mean I am perfect. Far from it. It means I am filthy and unworthy, needful of a Saviour. Apart from Christ, I am nothing. Apart from redemption, I am worthless. My daily struggles are what remind me constantly of my state of flesh, and my need of my Lord and Saviour, and my need of the redemptive work of the Blood given for MY account on Calvary. Perfection never brought anyone to Christ; only brokenness. Complete and utter brokenness. Not of works, lest any man should boast.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
~Galatians 2:20

Flashmob Flash Mob - Ode an die Freude ( Ode to Joy ) Beethoven Symphony No.9

I just HAD to share this, being the classical music lover that I am! This "flash mob" is amazing!!

(Be sure to turn off the music in the bottom of the sidebar!)