Tag: encourage one another
“Let us draw near to Jesus!”
Scripture reading for March 16th: Hebrews 10, Psalm 54, Proverbs 23
Hebrews 10: 19-25 “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living Way that He opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh, and since we have a great Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He Who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
The writer of Hebrews believed that the Day of Christ’s return was drawing near. This is a central truth of Scripture, especially for those living in the last days. Faith in this truth should call all believers to respond by their willful choice to draw near to Jesus now, in this time, to find grace and cleansing and deliverance from all sin and bondage. Christ’s blood washes our consciences clean and our baptism symbolizes the cleansing of body, soul and spirit in preparation to meet Jesus, our heavenly Bridegroom. We gather together regularly to confess our faith and hope and to encourage one another to love Jesus through holy obedience. He is coming for a ‘holy bride.’
Psalm 54:6-7 “With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to You; I will give thanks to Your Name, O Lord, for it is good. For He has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your faithfulness in fulfilling every promise You have made to us. I trust today in the promise that Jesus Christ is coming again to bring full salvation and a glorified body for each believer. Help me to draw nearer to You each day and find the grace to walk in purity and faith. Wash me with Your Son’s blood from all sin. Fill my heart with wisdom to speak boldly the Good News of Jesus!
Proverbs 23:15-16 “My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad. My inmost being will exult when your lips speak what is right.”
Daily encouragement needed!
Scripture reading for October 17th: Hebrews 3
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Hebrews 3:12-14 “See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.”
The pressures of sin, our flesh and fallen angels can sometimes drag believers back into the world and away from trusting in Christ. Our heart is the ground that must be defended and kept soft to receive truth and encouragement. Believers need to be careful of sin’s deceitfulness and a hardening of our hearts and turning away from God. Encouragement by other believers should be occurring on a daily basis. One day Jesus Christ will appear and only those who are standing firm will be ready to go with Him!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers watch over each other and encourage each other to stand firm and confident in their faith. “Above all else, guard you heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
Drawing Near or shrinking back?
Scripture reading for November 11th: Hebrews 10:19-39
Once a person understands the new covenant and the benefits of believing on Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins, there is a choice to be made. We must either draw near to God through Jesus Christ or choose to go our own way. The writer of Hebrews plainly lays out the choice in the passage we are reading today. We can choose freely, but the consequences of our choice will come as stated by Scripture!
“Therefore, brother, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of god, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:19-23) The logical choice is drawing near to God by faith in Jesus’ sacrifice and priesthood! We are free from sin and condemnation and are made pure through His blood. (Hebrews 9:14) He promised that those who would believe on Him would be saved completely! (Hebrews 7:25)
“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. . . .It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10: 26-27, 31) This warning concerned the sin of unbelief in God’s final Word, Jesus. Willful rejection is the same as willful sin under the old covenant. Sacrifice could be made for sins in ignorance and they would be accepted by God. But willful, defiant sinning was punishable by death. (Numbers 15:27-31)
Who in their right mind would shrink back from the promise of eternal life, a clean conscience, rest from religious labors and freedom from the fear of death? Who would choose standing before God and having to answer for their own sins? So we are encouraged not to throw away our confidence by shrinking back, but to go on towards Jesus who is our reward! The best is yet to come for those who hold fast! (Hebrews 10:35-29)