Dear Bloggers, For the very few of you that read this: Sorry for the unannounced break. I needed it though. I did some re-evaluating & settled some things that needed to be settled. I've also been out of town a lot lately. So with Christmas coming soon I don't see much time for settling much more. Anyway, here is finally another devotion. A Call to Persevere
Hebrews 10:19-39
(Related verses: Deut. 32:35-36, Psalm 135:14, Hab. 2:3-4) 19-21So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into "the Holy Place." Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The "curtain" into God's presence is his body. 22-25So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. 26-31If we give up and turn our backs on all we've learned, all we've been given, all the truth we now know, we repudiate Christ's sacrifice and are left on our own to face the Judgment—and a mighty fierce judgment it will be! If the penalty for breaking the law of Moses is physical death, what do you think will happen if you turn on God's Son, spit on the sacrifice that made you whole, and insult this most gracious Spirit? This is no light matter. God has warned us that he'll hold us to account and make us pay. He was quite explicit: "Vengeance is mine, and I won't overlook a thing" and "God will judge his people." Nobody's getting by with anything, believe me. 32-39Remember those early days after you first saw the light? Those were the hard times! Kicked around in public, targets of every kind of abuse—some days it was you, other days your friends. If some friends went to prison, you stuck by them. If some enemies broke in and seized your goods, you let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn't touch your real treasure. Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back. So don't throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It's still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God's plan so you'll be there for the promised completion.
It won't be long now, he's on the way;
he'll show up most any minute.
But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust;
if he cuts and runs, I won't be very happy.
But we're not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We'll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way. (THE MESSAGE version from www.biblegateway.com) Questions.
1. What is your favorite part of the church service you attend?
-singing. 2. Note the four "let us" statements in verses 22-25. What does each one mean? What incentives are given?
-let us be cleanses by His Blood & be baptized in His Spirit. Cling onto your faith. Do not waver in your faith, keep strong, confess your faith. Encourage one another. Come together as followers. These are all things we need to do to strengthen our faith. 3. In rejecting Christ, of what three grievous sings would a person be guilty (v. 29)? With what consequence (v.31)?
-insluted the Spirit of grace, treated the sacrifice as unholy, & trampled The Son. Fall into the hands of God & His judgement. 4. After such a dire warning, how does the author encourage the people he was writing to (v. 32-39)? Which appeal do you find persuasive?
-we will be rewarded & saved not destroyed. do not lose confidence, etc. Encouragement. 5. What is God saying to you in this passage?
-stand my ground & do better. Encourage others in faith. 6. What can I do this week to help you in prayer? | 
