Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses-as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. – Hebrews 3:1-3

Tracing and scanning back and forth with our hearts in Hebrews is impacting us as a missionary community. Angels do the things God has called us to, friends!

Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? – Hebrews 1:14

I’m staggered by the holiness of our calling, and yet I’m drawn to self-forgetfulness and rest as I consider Jesus with my siblings in Christ, with my wife, with my children, with my co-pastors, with my Jesus community, with my fellow Jesus followers throughout Merced and the world. This Jesus upholds the UNIVERSE that so many have chosen to idolize and worship instead of Him.

This Jesus upholds the universe BY THE WORD OF HIS POWER!

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. – Hebrews 1:3-4

Hebrews is a huge help to study for increasing our faith and stirring us to faithful disciple-making labors of love TOGETHER as siblings in Christ.

This last Lord’s Day we studied in Hebrews chapter four mainly and were built up in the meditation upon the REST we can STRIVE to enter in JESUS. Dave shared an example of how we put plenty of effort into tackling tasks related to a favorite hobby and feel a deep sense of rest while in the middle and especially at the conclusion of these labors. How much more true is it of times we have consistently TOGETHER with other siblings in Christ stirred up our faith in the Lord, served like the angels do in the aiding of others encountering Jesus, and laid down our lives in the service of others toward salvation? Don’t we feel deeper and deeper REST as we get lost in these labors of Jesus’ love?

May we strive to enter the same sort of ministry daily as our Lord modeled for us, pouring our lives out together in love, dear siblings in Christ! May we be spilled in love as God appoints us to specific people as servants and cultivates in us the attitude of Christ!

Your brother and friend in Christ,

– Torrey

P.S. The photo in this post is of our kiddos. We are enjoying how much they love to get all cuddled in together for prayer before bed. As soon as I turn off the light Amelie hops right out of Jackson’s bed though! Ha ha. It is amazing to me with our kids in this context and the kids in our community how these kiddos overall really calm down and even listen to short prayers breathed out calmly over them to the Lord. They can sense and they know something special and serious is going on when we pray. Praise God!