Why Unbelief in Hebrews 3:12 is the Biggest Offense to God

  Doubt, lack of faith. not trusting. It's all really the same thing--unbelief. I've been there before, but in the past years I've been pressed on my own spiritual journey to really BELIEVE God's promises.  

For over ten years my husband and I have prayed specific promises in the face of several contradicting circumstances.  And yes there have been times that I felt like I was hanging onto God's word by a thread, but that thread has never let me go.  

This week I read chapter 25 in the Life-Study of Hebrews, and it was on the evil heart of unbelief in Hebrews 3:12:  Beware, brothers, lest there be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief in withdrawing from the living God.  

These sentences on page 265 spoke to me strongly why it's so important for us to believe God's word and stand on His promises: 

"No heart is more evil than a heart of unbelief. Nothing offends God as much as our unbelief….Every sin breaks God's righteous law, but some sins do not insult God Himself, as does the sin of unbelief. Our God is the living God. Unbelief is so evil because it insults the living, faithful, and Almighty God. If we do not believe in God, in His work, and in His ways, we insult Him.  This is why we must beware of unbelief" (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of Hebrews. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1975, Print).

 Witness Lee points out in this chapter that Hebrews 3:8 shows that the heart becomes evil through being hardened by reasonings.  And to understand that he shares the classic example of Joshua and Caleb going with ten others to spy out the land of Canaan.  They all saw the same things--the fortified cities, the giants, and the rich produce, but only Joshua and Caleb spoke by faith that God would be with them.  "Only do not rebel against Jehovah, nor should you fear the people of the land, for they are our bread. Their protection has been removed from them, and Jehovah is with us; do not fear them." (Numbers 14:9)  

   It's not like God hadn't said He wouldn't do this.  Way back in Exodus 3:16-17 God told Moses "…I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt into the land of the Canaanites…unto a land flowing with milk and honey." Surely after seeing all the plagues, and the Red Sea opened, and Pharaoh and his army completely destroyed, they should have all believed that God was able to do this. What was wrong with them? 

 Sometimes I find myself in the same place as the Israelites. In fact, that's where I am right now And the question before me is what am I going to speak?  Will I speak what I see or will I speak what God has spoken in His word?  


You can  also listen to live excerpts from these messages on Hebrews on The Life-Study of the Bible with Witness Lee.  You will enjoy listening to both  the excerpts  from these spoken messages and the helpful and enlightening commentary of the radio hosts.

Other Posts on the Life-Study of Hebrews You Can Check Out:

Why is the Background of the Book of Hebrews Important?
What Does God's Speaking Shows us In Hebrews 1:1-2?
What Does Hebrews 2:10 Say About Christ?
How Does the Lord Sanctify Us In Hebrews 2:11?
The High Priest in Hebrews 2:17 Makes Me Think of the Poem Footprints
Why is the Sabbath Rest Mentioned in Hebrews 4:9?
Why Unbelief in Hebrews 3:12 is the Biggest Offense to God
How Do We Come Forward in Hebrews 4:16?
What Hebrews 6:1 Says About Christian Maturity
What Does Hebrews 8 Tell Us About the Differences Between the Old & New Testaments?
What Does It Mean to Gain our Soul in Hebrews 10:39?
Have You Seen God's Silence in Hebrews 11?
How Do You Run the Christian Race in Hebrews 12?
What is the Birthright About in Hebrews 12:16?
From the Life-Study of Hebrews - What is the Central Concept of the Bible?
What's the Focus of the Book of Hebrews?

An Amazing Combination of Summer Flavors - Gluten Free Lemony Rhubarb Coconut Bars

   I noticed awhile ago when I was going through my Syre School Cookbook that one of the teachers had a bar recipe that used rhubarb.  So I looked it up and went for it.  I licked my finger when I was cleaning the bowl and I was like mmmm, these are going to be good! 

And you really can't let the list of the ingredients fool you on this recipe!  These bars are downright delicious!!  They were so good my husband and my daughter who had joined us for dinner each had 2 1/2 bars !  

Lemony Rhubarb Coconut Bars

1.  Prepare crust - In a bowl put:
(1)  1/3 cup of brown rice flour, 1/3 cup of sorghum flour, and 1/3 cup of tapioca flour.
(2)  Stir in 1/4 cup of sugar. (I used 1/8th)
(3)  Cut in 1/2 cup of butter with a pastry blender.  Make sure it is well blended together. (I cut this down a bit.)
(4)  Press into a greased 8 x 8 square pan.
(5)  Bake in a 325 oven for 12-15 minutes.  Note:  Try to time it so that the filling is prepared right when the crust is ready because it is baked on top of the hot crust.

2.  Prepare rhubarb:  Rinse stalks and dice enough for 1 3/4 cups.   (I used 2 of the stalks for this)

3.  Meanwhile Prepare filling - In a medium size bowl put:
(1)  3/4 -1 cup of sugar and 3 T of gluten free flour
(2)  Beat 2 eggs and add to the sugar/flour mixture.
(3)  Mix in 3 T of fresh lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of zest.
(4)  Then mix in 1 1/2  cups of rhubarb, 1/2 cup of shredded coconut, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla.

4.  Bake lemony rhubarb bars:

(1)  When crust is done, pour  this filling mixture over the hot crust.
(2)  Bake at 325 for 30 minutes.
(3)  Cool on a rack.
(4)  Sprinkle  2 T of powdered sugar over the top.


Other Gluten Free Baking & Desserts on This Blog:

Breads: 
Gluten free & Low-fat Banana Bread  (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Celebrate Fall With Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread   (A friend's recipe)
Delicious Gluten Free Zucchini Bread   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
My Favorite Gluten Free Cranberry Nut Bread    (From my daughter-in-law's family cookbook)

Cakes:
Gluten Free German Apple Cake   (From my grandmother)
You Won't Believe It's Gluten Free Carrot Cake    (From my daughter's husband's grandma)
Judi's Super Moist Gluten Free Chocolate Cake   (From a church friend)
Judi's Gluten Free Orange Chiffon Cake       (From a church friend)
Marilyn's Spectacular Gluten Free Oatmeal Cake    (My mother-in-law's--she's a great cook!)
The Best Gluten Free Black Bottom Cupcakes   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Delicious Gluten Free Rhubarb Cake     (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Grandma's Gluten Free Applesauce Cake  (From an Internet search tastes like my grandma's!)
Old Fashioned Gluten Free Banana Cake      (From my grandma)
Rosie's Gluten Free Pineapple Upside Down Cake    (From my daughter-in-law's family)


Cookies:
Gluten Free Cowboy Oatmeal Cookies  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Mom's Go To For Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
The Best Gluten Free Recipe for Snickerdoodles  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Gluten Free Rocky Road Brownies     (From a church friend)
Mark's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies - Made Gluten Free!    (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Judi's Gluten Free Oatmeal Craisin & Coconut Cookies       (From a church friend)

Cornbread & Rolls:
Beth's Amazing Gluten Free Cornbread   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)

Crisps & Pies:
Lena's Rhubarb Crunch (A crisp with a gluten free top and bottom crust!) (My daughter-in-law's mother.  She's an amazing cook, which I think most of us moms become after a few years!)
Delicious Gluten Free Apple Crisp  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Ginger's Outrageous Apple Pie  (From a church friend)
The BEST Lemon Meringue Pie with Mrs. Lauralicious Gluten Free Pie Crust  (Internet)

Desserts with Fruit:
Sensational Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake   (From the back of Costco's organic sugar)

Terrific Gluten Free Strawberry & Peach Trifle  (Modified from an Internet search)
My Favorite Gluten Free Strawberry Cheesecake   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Just Like Grandma's (But Only Gluten Free) Blueberry Cobbler (My husband's grandma)

Holiday Cookies & Baking:
Old Fashioned Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies  (Modified from back of the Libby's can)
Incredible Gluten Free Gingerbread Cookies  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
My Grandkids Favorite Gluten Free Peppermint Sugar Cookies  (From Syre School Cookbook)
Our Favorite Pumpkin Pie   (Modified from back of Libby's pumpkin can)
Perfect Gluten Free Pumpkin Cheesecake  (From back of cream cheese box)
Gluten Free Polish Fruitcake   (Modified from Internet search)
Old Fashioned Gluten Free Gingerbread Cake  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)

Muffins:

Banana Nutty Muffins   (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Gluten Free Tremendous Pumpkin Muffins    (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Bursting with Blueberries Gluten Free Muffins  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Toni's Outrageous Gluten Free Corn Muffins  (From back of a Bob's Red Mill package)
Sassy Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)

 Puddings & Ice Cream:  

Dairy Free Strawberry Coconut Ice Cream (And other ice cream favorites!)  (From searches)

Baked Coconut Pudding  (Something I worked out from my Aunt Sue's rice pudding recipe)
Tangy Lemon Pudding   (From Internet search) 

Why is the Sabbath Rest Mentioned in Hebrews 4:9?

 Have you ever asked yourself what the Sabbath rest in Hebrews 4:9 refers to? Is the writer reminiscing about God taking a break after working hard in Genesis 1 and 2?  Or is there something more?  Last week I was reading a section on the Sabbath rest in the Life-Study of Hebrews that brought out the deeper spiritual meaning about this.  Look at this verse:   

So then there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.  Hebrews 4:9  

   I've heard Witness Lee say over and over how essential it is to interpret the Bible with the Bible. So I was not surprised when he said in order to get this you have to look back at the first mentioning of this word in the Bible and then trace that meaning throughout Scripture.  I always enjoy it when he does this.  So in chapter 18  of the Life-Study of Hebrews he gives the background of the Sabbath which was really eye opening to me:

At the end of the sixth day, seeing man in His image to express Him and committed with His authority to represent Him, God was satisfied and said, 'Very good.'…This is why I say again and again that we must return to the pure word and reread and restudy it….If you reread Genesis 1 and 2, you will see that God rested on the seventh day not mainly because His work was finished but because He had attained what He desired.  What God desired was not a finished work.  Rather, He wanted mankind to be on earth expressing and representing Him. This is His heart's desire (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of Hebrews. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1975, Print).

     I know I would never have seen this on my own. I was going wow a lot as I was reading these chapters. Did you ever hear that after the fall of man in Genesis 3, this Sabbath rest got lost?  But God never gave up His intention of having man express and represent Him even if it would take centuries to regain it.  God didn't regain this rest until the children of Israel came back to the land of Canaan and  built God's dwelling place. 

     And I saw as I was reading these chapters that this same thought carries over into the New Testament.  Today God rests in all of His believers, the church. Brother Lee points out that there are actually three stages to this rest.  Besides God's rest in the church age, there is a coming millennial kingdom where through the overcomers, those believers who allowed God to fully gain them in this age, God will have His expression (Revelation 20:4).

    Ultimately God will gain His complete rest in the new heaven and new earth where the Bible tells us He will be fully expressed and represented in all of His redeemed people forever (Revelation 20:1).  So I'm touched that today we all need to endeavor to enter into the coming Sabbath rest.  And he said we can do this by just allowing the Lord to grow in us and bring us to maturity so that God can have a way to bring in His kingdom.   

You can  also listen to live excerpts from these messages on Hebrews on The Life-Study of the Bible with Witness Lee.  You will enjoy listening to both  the excerpts  from these spoken messages and the helpful and enlightening commentary of the radio hosts.   (There's about 6 messages on the Sabbath rest, and they are both encouraging and enlightening! I like to listen to them while preparing meals.)

Other Posts on the Life-Study of Hebrews:

Why is the Background of the Book of Hebrews Important?
What Does God's Speaking Show us In Hebrews 1:1-2?
What Does Hebrews 2:10 Say About Christ?
How Does the Lord Sanctify Us In Hebrews 2:11?
Why the High Priest in Hebrews 2:17 Makes Me Think of the Poem Footprints
Why is the Sabbath Rest Mentioned in Hebrews 4:9?
Why Unbelief in Hebrews 3:12 is the Biggest Offense to God
How Do We Come Forward in Hebrews 4:16?
What Hebrews 6:1 Says About Christian Maturity
What Does Hebrews 8 Tell Us About the Differences Between the Old & New Testaments?
What Does It Mean to Gain our Soul in Hebrews 10:39?
Have You Seen God's Silence in Hebrews 11?
How Do You Run the Christian Race in Hebrews 12?
What is the Birthright About in Hebrews 12:16?
From the Life-Study of Hebrews - What is the Central Concept of the Bible?
What's the Focus of the Book of Hebrews?

A Great Way to Make a Main Dish Salad with Your Garden Veggies - Nicoise Salmon Salad

   It's amazing how much you can grow in such a small space!  I don't have a big garden like my grandma did on her Pennsylvanian farm, but I've been having fun with it.  This spring I planted bush beans, beets, squash, onions, chard, lettuce, and tomatoes.  You should have seen all the beans I got off my few bushes two days ago!  And if you look at the picture you can see they were pretty hefty.

    My tomatoes are just starting to ripen; so I only got to use some of them in this salad.  The thing I am happy the most about is how my lettuce has done this year.  I have been in competition with the neighborhood rabbits the past few years, but this year my husband put a chicken wire fence around it to keep them out.  The lettuce started to grow back, and it's been great to add it to salads and sandwiches. 

I'm also growing parsley, sage, rosemary, basil, and oregano so  I have fresh spices readily available for my cooking.  This recipe for Nicoise salmon salad comes from my Heritage School cookbook.  I've made this salad on both a platter for a large group and in individual salad bowls for lunch.

Nicoise Salmon Salad

1.  Prepare vegetables - These are for both the salad and the dressing:
(1)  Scrub 4 potatoes and cut them in wedges and steam them until tender about 15 minutes.
(2)  Wash and snap enough green beans to make 3 cups--I only had enough for 1 1/2 cups. Add them on top of the potatoes about 5 minutes after they've been cooking.
(3)  Wash enough lettuce to line a serving platter.
(4)  Cut 2 whole tomatoes into 8 wedges or slice as many cherry tomatoes as you would like in half.
(5)  Chop 2 T of green onions for the dressing. (I like green onions so I'm going to scatter a few sliced onions over the top of the salad when I'm arranging it on the platter.)
(6)  Chop 2 T of fresh parsley for the dressing.

2.  Make the Italian dressing - 
(1)  Put a package of Simply Organic Italian dressing into a cruet.
(2)  Add 2 T red wine vinegar and 1/3 cup of water.  Then whisk in 2/3 cup olive oil.  
(3)  Add the green onions and parsley from above, 1/2 tsp. of dill, and 1/4 tsp. of garlic salt. (I'm using a clove of minced garlic instead), 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. black pepper.  
(4)  Taste and make any flavor adjustments.

3.  Marinade vegetables:
(1)  Put the steamed potatoes into a bowl and pour 1/4 cup of the Italian dressing over them. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
(2)  In another bowl put the green beans and put 1/4 cup of Italian dressing over them.

4.  Hard boil 3 eggs and then quarter them when cool.

5.  Assemble salad - On a serving platter place or in separate bowls:
(1)  Line the platter with the lettuce leaves as mentioned above.
(2)  Spoon potatoes into the center.
(3)  Arrange salmon from a 16 oz can over the potatoes.
(4)  Spoon the green beans so they make a ring around the potatoes.
(5)  Alternately place tomato wedges and eggs around the outside edge of the platter on the ends of the lettuce.
(6)   Drizzle remaining dressing over the salad.  Keep some to pass around.

Nisoise Salmon Salad Served on a Platter

Nicoise Salmon Salad served in Salad Bowls

List of Other Salads on this Blog:

Greens/cabbage:
Gluten Free Chinese Chicken Cabbage Salad   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Baja Salad with Black Beans & Quinoa  (A remake from something I ate at a restaurant)
Make it Yourself Thai Peanut Dressing for Mandarin Salad  (My friend Judi's recipe)
KFC Copycat Cole Slaw   (A friend shared this with me)
Mexican Grilled Salmon & Mango Salad   (From a Betty Crocker summer cookbook)
Belizean Coleslaw    (From Internet search)

Pasta:

Tasty Gluten Free Pasta Salad  (Something I picked up over 20 years ago!)
Vietnamese Vermicelli Salad Bowls   (From an Internet search)

Vegetable:
Jeremy D's Sensational Greek Salad   (My son-in-law's recipe)

Grandma's Perfect Potato Salad   (Family recipe)
Rose's Refreshing Cucumber Salad   (From a Chinese friend)
A Great BBQ side Salad - Curried Pea Salad  (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)

Fruit:
Grandma Marilyn's Frozen Fruit Salad  (My mother-in-law's recipe)

Why the High Priest in Hebrews 2:17 Makes Me Think of the Poem Footprints

 I grew up thinking priests were robed figures with high turbans that you told your sins to.  Christ being our High Priest is actually a lot more that that. Keep reading and you'll see how. 

I took this picture on Whidbey Island.

Hence He should have been made like His brothers in all things that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in the things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.  Hebrews 2:17

I was amazed to learn In Chapter 13 of the Life-Study of Hebrews (on pages 141-142)  that the two words merciful and faithful in Hebrews 2:17 point out Christ's two natures:

Why does the writer of Hebrews use the words merciful and faithful to describe this High Priest?  Why does he not us just one word or more than two?  The answer is that in the first two chapters of this book the writer has mainly covered two points--that Christ is the Son of God, God Himself, and the Son of Man, man Himself.  Merciful corresponds with His being a man, and faithful corresponds with HIs being God.  In order to be faithful we not only need virtue but also ability.  Suppose I have spoken a word to you as a promise. Although my virtue may be good, I may not have the ability to keep my word.  I have the heart to be faithful in keeping my word, but I lack the ability….But this High Priest is not merely an honest man; He is the faithful God. God is faithful (10:23).  He will fulfill whatever He says.  God never lies (6:18). Whatever He has spoken He is able to fulfill. He has every means to fulfill what He has spoken.  Only God can be fully faithful….What can frustrate God from fulfilling His word? Nothing.  Jesus can be a faithful High Priest because He is the very Almighty God. Since He, as the Son of God, is God Himself, He is able to be faithful (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of Hebrews. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1975, Print).

  Because Jesus put on our human nature, He can sympathize with us and be merciful toward us.  As our High Priest, Christ knows what we're going through.  He was made like us for this very purpose so that He can connect with us and bear our sorrows. And because He's God, He doesn't ever let go of us--He is faithful to always come and speak the word we need.  

  As I was thinking about Christ being our High Priest, I thought of the Footprints poem.  Over 20 years ago my grandmother on my mom's side sent me a card with this poem.  It's in a frame in my bedroom because it's very meaningful to me.  To me this poem really portrays the depth of what it's like to experience Christ as our High Priest. 

Footprints

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.

Sometimes there were two sets of footprints.

Other times there was one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed that 

During the low periods of my life when I was

Suffering from anguish, sorrow, or defeat,

I would see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord, "You promised me,

Lord, that if I followed You,

You would walk with me always.

But I noticed that during the 
most trying periods

Of my life there have only been

One set of prints in the sand.

Why when I have needed You most,

You have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,

"The times when you have seen only one set of footprints

Is where I carried you."

You can  also listen to live excerpts from these messages on Hebrews on The Life-Study of the Bible with Witness Lee.  You will enjoy listening to both  the excerpts  from these spoken messages and the helpful and enlightening commentary of the radio hosts.

Other Posts on the Life-Study of Hebrews:

Why is the Background of the Book of Hebrews Important?
What Does God's Speaking Show us In Hebrews 1:1-2?
What Does Hebrews 2:10 Say About Christ?
How Does the Lord Sanctify Us In Hebrews 2:11?
Why the High Priest in Hebrews 2:17 Makes Me Think of the Poem Footprints
Why is the Sabbath Rest Mentioned in Hebrews 4:9?
Why Unbelief in Hebrews 3:12 is the Biggest Offense to God
How Do We Come Forward in Hebrews 4:16?
What Hebrews 6:1 Says About Christian Maturity
What Does Hebrews 8 Tell Us About the Differences Between the Old & New Testaments?
What Does It Mean to Gain our Soul in Hebrews 10:39?
Have You Seen God's Silence in Hebrews 11?
How Do You Run the Christian Race in Hebrews 12?
What is the Birthright About in Hebrews 12:16?
From the Life-Study of Hebrews - What is the Central Concept of the Bible?
What's the Focus of the Book of Hebrews?

A Great BBQ Side Salad - Curried Pea Salad

Here's another great BBQ side to add to the traditional potato or pasta salad.  Full of protein and vegetables, it's a great addition. I made this a few weeks ago and even our international students gobbled it up!

This recipe comes from my Syre School Cookbook.

Curried Pea Salad

1.  Thaw 3 cups of peas in a serving bowl.

2.  Chop up 1/4 cup of sliced almonds.

3.  Chop up 2 green onions.

4.  Cube 1/2 cup of colby-jack cheese.

5.  Make Dressing:  Mix together 1/2 to 3/4 cup of mayonnaise with 3/4 t of  Indian curry.

6.  Combine ingredients:  
(1)  Add the green onions, almonds and cheese to the thawed peas.
(2)  Add the mayonnaise mixture and stir to coat all the ingredients.


List of Other Salads on this Blog:

Greens/cabbage:
Make it Yourself Thai Peanut Dressing for Mandarin Salad  (My friend Judi's recipe)
KFC Copycat Cole Slaw   (A friend shared this with me)
Belizean Coleslaw    (From Internet search)
Antioxidant Rich Kale Super Salad  (A copycat from a deli, dressing from Syre School Cookbook)

Main Dish Salads
Gluten Free Chinese Chicken Cabbage Salad   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Baja Salad with Black Beans & Quinoa  (A remake from something I ate at a restaurant)

Mexican Grilled Salmon & Mango Salad   (From a Betty Crocker summer cookbook)
Jackson Square Shrimp Salad   (From my Syre School cookbook)
A Great Way to Make a Main Dish Salad Out of Your Garden Veggies - Nicoise Salmon Salad  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)

Pasta & Quinoa:
Tasty Gluten Free Pasta Salad  (Something I picked up over 20 years ago!)
Vietnamese Vermicelli Salad Bowls   (From an Internet search)
Michelle's Greek Quinoa Salad   (My foodie daughter's own delicious creation!)
Another Great Salad with Quinoa - Janah's  Original Quinoa, Cranberry & Feta Salad  (a recipe my daughter came up with)
Red Quinoa, Black Bean, & Corn Salad  (A yummy recipe on the Trader Joe's bag of red quinoa)

Vegetable:
Jeremy D's Sensational Greek Salad   (My son-in-law's recipe)

Grandma's Perfect Potato Salad   (My mother-in-law's recipe)
Rose's Refreshing Cucumber Salad   (From a Chinese friend)
A Great BBQ side Salad - Curried Pea Salad  (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)

Dot's Easy Bean Salad  (Recipe from an  83 yr old friend of my father's)

Fruit:
Grandma Marilyn's Frozen Fruit Salad  (My mother-in-law's recipe)