Melchizedek compared to Jesus

 The priestly order of Melchizedek is compared to our perfect high priest Jesus in Hebrews 7.   The unknown author in Hebrews.   Melchizedek was the king of Salem, a priest of God, in the Levitical priesthood.   He is only mentioned in Psalm 110:4.   Melchizedek gives a tithe to Abraham in Genesis 14:18-20, showing why he is a high priest.  

Melchizedek is a type of Christ and is compared to as a temporary Son of God, Genesis 7:3.   He is not the Son of God but in some ways resembles the Son of God.   He is shown as a priest forever in the he has no genealogy and no beginning or end.     Melchizedek ends up being blessed by the inferior, (Abraham).   Abraham's offspring also share in this future tithe of sacrifice.  

Then we see in Genesis 7:11, how the author shows how the Mosiac law does not bring perfection.  This Levitical priesthood was specified for Aaronic lineage.  In Jesus' perfect priesthood, the Mosiac covenant is no longer valid (12-14).   In verse 16, Jesus established his eternal high priesthood through his resurrection.    Thus, showing how Jesus' priesthood lasts forever.  The author ends this section comparing Jesus to Melchizedek by showing how the old Mosiac covenant is no longer valid through Jesus' death on the cross, (18-19).  

This year as whole

This year has been a growing year personally for me.   First, growing and learning through Heart of Dating on how to date.   Second, growing in trusting God in his leading for a Children's Ministry position. Third, growing in using my gifts to teach the Bible.     God has used my mentor the Children's Pastor to encourage me to trust in God's sovereignty for the Children's Ministry position that God is calling me to.   He has also used the friends he has given me to encourage me in seeking God's will in this area of my life.  

God used Heart of Dating ministry this past year to grow me as a guy in leading a godly woman in a relationship.   God also grew me in HOD through the fellowship of the Men's Group and JJ Tomlin in leading as a man.  That time on Wednesday night was a time that pivotal time for me and a time of fellowship that I looked forward to every week.   Also, the weekly podcasts have equipped me in growing me rejection, relationship struggles, other various Christian dating aspects, and leading women in a godly relationship.  Now, I am currently in a relationship with a godly woman because of HOD.  

Second, I have gone through struggles of seeking the Lord's will for a Children's Ministry position.   I had an in-person interview for this Children's Ministry position at a campus site of this big church in Arlington in April this past year.   I thought the interview went well and I answered the questions with examples of my past experiences.  Through it all, God has reminded me to trust in his timing and leading in my life.  The Children's Pastor at FBC Irving reminded that God is still good and his timing is good, pleasing, and perfect in our life.  

Recently, the Children's Pastor gave me some more upfront teaching experience.   It was really great to be able to teach upfront to the kids and practice teaching through a simple lesson about miracles.   I was nervous at first but God gave me the strength to recall my points and get back on track.   I was able to finish the lesson well and ask good questions.   Then, I summarized and closed the lesson well.  

Gratitude

 Thanksgiving reminded to be grateful for what God has done in my life this past year.   He has used some circumstances to for his good.  He used things that did not work out and were frustrating in ways that I did not know.   I had to go through some things in my life that were not so good so God could lead me to some great things in my life.   The frustrating things in my life ended up leading to some great things and God still helped me trust him through some things in my life.  

I went through periods of rejection in relationships and in seeking a ministry position.   God gave me the strength to trust him through those times.   God used the Children's Pastor at church to remind me to trust God in his timing when a position did not work out.   God reminded me through Heart of Dating podcast that rejection can lead me redirection in life.   I faced rejection in mid-July from a godly woman from an HOD speed dating event after we had met in person.   I thought there was something there when we talked on the phone and our in-person date but she was not interested after we texted a few days afterwards.  

At the end of August, I met Amanda Love at an HOD Texas event in Austin.  We talked for about three hours that day.   It seemed like there was an instant connection between us that day.   I thank God for bringing her into my life that day.   I did not realize that God would bring me a girlfriend this year but I have been praying for a godly woman to serve with for a long time.   She is someone I want to serve God with together.  

Lean into my gifts/passions

 God has been showing me that I need to lean into my gifts and passions then he will provide for me in his timing.  This past week I was able to teach God's Word in the Children's Ministry on Wednesday night.   I stumbled a little bit at first but once I settled in then I hit on my points well.   God has given me a passion to teach the Bible.   I will improve teaching in front of groups once I keep doing it and practicing it.   The Children's Pastor said it's okay for me to look at my notes throughout.