Tag: hold fast
“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.”
Encouragement and warning!
Scripture reading for August 19th: Hebrews 10
Key Scriptures: Hebrews 10:21-27 “. . .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. For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving a knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and the fury of fire that will consume the enemies of God.”
Pastors, like parents, instruct those under their oversight in doing the right thing. Encouraging words that include us as well in the clear instructions: “Let us . . .”. Paul pointed them to their great High Priest, Jesus Christ Who had gone before them and now, seated at God’s right hand, was interceding for them. This was a time to ‘hold fast’ and ‘stir up’ others of like faith and to ‘meet together’ regularly. Jesus could return at any time! Today was the right time to get right and be about God’s business. However, the warning was also given. Willful sinning under the Old Covenant did not have a sacrifice that would cover it. The person willfully sinning must pay the penalty. The New Covenant in Jesus also warned that willfully continuing in sin when we know Christ Jesus and His sacrifice to free us from sin’s power and penalty can only result in judgment and being counted as an enemy of God. May this never happen to any believer!
Hebrews 10:29 “How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of Grace?”
Faith confession and prayer: Father, thank You for Jesus Christ, my great High Priest! Through Him, I draw near to you and find cleansing from sin’s power and penalty. Give me grace today to hold fast to this truth and encourage my brothers and sisters to remain faithful and steadfast, meeting together for worship, prayer, Scripture and encouragement.
Hebrews 10:39 “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.”
Lamb of God, Son of God!
Scripture reading for April 5th: John 1, Psalm 69, Proverbs 7
Key Scriptures: John 1:29, 32-34 “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world! . . . .And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove and it remained on Him. I myself did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on Whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.””
When Jesus appeared where His cousin John the Baptist was baptizing, John made a faith declaration concerning Jesus. John plainly stated that Jesus was the “Lamb of God” who takes away the sins of the world. He also stated that He would be the One who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and Jesus was the “Son of God.” John stated that the Father who had sent him had revealed this to him.
Faith confession: Jesus is the Lamb of God, Son of God, who gave His body and life blood to obtain my forgiveness and allow me to receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit. I hold fast to these truths forever!
Proverbs 7:1-3 “My son, keep My words and treasure up My commandments with you; keep My commandments and live; keep My teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.”