The God Shot With Tara-Leigh Cobble

The God Shot: James 3:13

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom." (James 3:13)This book was almost certainly written by Jesus' brother and guess what? His name wasn't James! The original language reveals that his name was actually Jacob. Our English versions refer to him as James because our first translation was authorized by King James who, for what it's worth, allegedly requested to see his name in the Bible. But back to Jacob or James. He didn't always believe that his brother Jesus was the Messiah until Jesus resurrected from the dead. That'll do it! Years later, James wrote these words to the Jewish members of the early church encouraging them to walk in meekness and honor. James hadn't always done that, but truly knowing who Jesus truly is has a way of humbling us. He's the one who should be exalted and He's where the joy is!

The God Shot: Hebrews 1:13-14

"To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:13-14)The book of Hebrews tells us a lot about who Jesus is. He is supreme over all things, He's God in the flesh, and His kingdom is eternal. In this section, the author compares Jesus with angels, but he makes it clear that Jesus is far superior to the angels. For instance, God the Father told Jesus that he would make His enemies a footstool for His feet, but that is never promised to angels. They serve God, not the other way around. They not only serve God but according to this verse, they serve God's kids too. What a gift! Not only did he adopt us into His family, but He sends His angels to serve us too! He's where the joy is!

The God Shot: Hebrews 1:10-12

He also says, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.” (Hebrews 1:10-12)The book of Hebrews tells us a lot about who Jesus is. This chapter already mentioned the fact that Jesus or God the Son, before He was born on Earth as Jesus, is the one who did the manual labor of Creation. He built the Heavens and the Earth. While His creation, both Heaven and Earth, will decay and be recreated someday, He is eternal. He has no beginning and no end. His birth on Earth was not His beginning and His death on the cross did not end Him. That's our Jesus, our eternal King. He's where the joy is!

The God Shot: Hebrews 1:9

"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.” (Hebrews 1:9)This is a verse about Jesus. Hebrews tells us a lot about who He is. He is supreme over all things, He is God in the flesh and His kingdom is eternal. I try to pay close attention when Scripture says God loves or hates something because it reveals His character and personality to me. In this verse, we see that Jesus loves righteousness and hates wickedness. We all hate things that threaten what we love and since wickedness is an affront to righteousness and wickedness wounds God's beloved children, it's fitting that Jesus would hate it by loving the right things, the eternal things. Jesus dwells in gladness. May our hearts love what he loves and hate what He hates because He's where the joy is!

The God Shot: Hebrews 1:7-8

In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire." 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." (Hebrews 1:7-8)The book of Hebrews tells us a lot about who Jesus is. In this section, the author spends time comparing Jesus with angels, but makes it clear that Jesus is far superior to angels. God uses angels in a variety of ways. Specifically, he uses them as messengers, which is what their name means. Jesus, on the other hand, is far more than a messenger. He does bring a message but He is also the Eternal King who reigns forever. His kingdom will never end. No matter what happens in your day, the reign of your Eternal King isn't threatened. As his human messengers, may His Kingdom be our focus. He's where the joy is!

The God Shot: Hebrews 1:5-6

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”? And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” (Hebrews 1:5-6)The book of Hebrews tells us a lot about who Jesus is. In this section, the author spends a lot of time comparing Jesus with angels, but he makes it clear that Jesus is far superior to angels. God never refers to angels as his only begotten sons, but He repeatedly affirms that Jesus is His son. God does not command the angels to be worshipped, but instead, He commands the angels to worship His Son. In fact, the few times in Scripture where people mistakenly try to worship God's angels, they're rebuked. God alone deserves our worship and praise. He's where the joy is!

The God Shot: Hebrews 1:3b-4

"After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs." (Hebrews 3b-4)The book of Hebrews tells us a lot about who Jesus is. In this section, the author spends a lot of time comparing Jesus with angels, but it's not a one-to-one comparison at all. The author makes it clear that Jesus is far superior to the angels. Angel means messenger so these are God's messengers, but Jesus is God. In fact, Colossians 1:16 says Jesus made the angels so they definitely aren't His equal, and angels weren't made in God's image. That distinction belongs to humans. Angels can't purify us from our sins, but Jesus can and did. Angels can't sit at the right hand of the Father, but Jesus can and does. He is supreme over all His creation and He's where the joy is!

The God Shot: Hebrews 1:3a

"The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word." (Hebrews 1:3a)The book of Hebrews tells us a lot about who Jesus is. This information may sound poetic, but it's far more than that. This beautiful description is actually foundational to our faith. What does it mean that Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God? It means He is the outgoing demonstration for the world to see the magnitude of who God the Father is. What does it mean that Jesus is the exact imprint of the Father's nature? It means they share the same character, personality, and will. God the Son shows us what God the Father is like. If you want to see the Father's heart, look to Jesus. Jesus isn't some lesser version of God. This passage says He upholds the Universe. Wow! He created it and He upholds it. He's where the joy is!

The God Shot: Hebrews 1:1-2

"In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 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." (Hebrews 1:1-2)Did you know that Jesus existed long before He was born on Earth as a human? Jesus is God the Son and He has always existed. When He came to Earth 2000 years ago and took on the name Jesus, Scripture says He came to dwell on the Earth He created. He is the one who did the manual labor of creation. Not only did He create it all, but He will inherit it as well. The Father appointed Him as the heir of all things and according to Romans 8:17, you and I are His co-heirs. Jesus built creation, inherited and shares it with all of God's adopted children forever. He is so generous and He's where the joy is!

The God Shot: Philemon 1:7

"Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people." (Philemon 1:7)Have you ever been around someone whose presence made you feel refreshed and comforted? Someone who left you with reminders of God's love and joy? In Paul's letters to Philemon, he thanks him for those very things, demonstrating God's heart toward others in the church. Who has been that person for you? Who has pointed you toward the love and joy of Christ? Today is a good day to thank God for them and to let them know how He used them in your life. Today is also a good day to tap into the joy of the Lord. Pour yourself so you can spread it to others who need refreshing and comforting. If God brought someone to mind, this is your chance to lean in and demonstrate Him to them. He's where the joy is!