Focus
Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today.
Read
Hebrews 10:19-25 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary 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 approach 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 to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and more as you see the Day approaching.
Reflect
How do you spur someone to love and good works? Christians are never judged by the confessions they make or the creed they recite; it is always by their deeds. How much practical love have you demonstrated? How far have you responded to the cry for help from someone near you, someone who is destitute or disappointed, who needs an encouraging word or a helping hand or a generous check? This is the ultimate test.
How do you achieve this? He suggests two ways: First, by not neglecting to meet, that is very important: Not giving up meeting together but encouraging one another. They are to be meetings where you can hear again the principles of Christian faith and to see again in human lives the mighty power of the One whom we worship and serve; and where you can understand how God works through human society, how he is transforming and changing men everywhere. That is what Christian services ought to be like: To hear the Word of God so that it comes home with power to the heart and to share with one another the results. This is one way we stir up one another to love and good works.
The second way is a watchful awareness of the time. More as you see the Day approaching. The Day is the certain return of Jesus Christ. As evil becomes more subtle, as it becomes more and more difficult to tell the difference between truth and error, good and bad, right and wrong; those that pour out deceitful lies, and we find the whole of society infiltrated with false concepts that deny the truth of the Word of God, we need all the more to gather together and encourage one another by sharing Jesus.
Pray
Prayer: Father, thank you for the opportunity to spur others on to love and good deeds. Help me to not neglect meeting together with other believers and paying attention to the fact that the Day is drawing near.
Go with God!
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