Hold to Hope
Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25
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Every time I read this passage I am spurred on to vigorously pass God’s encouragement on to others. So many things in our world can discourage, dampen enthusiasm, and drain away one’s energy. Everyone needs regular doses of encouragement to counteract these negatives and to know they are loved and cared for; most of all, they need to know the One who will always be there for them (1 John 4:4) and is their greatest encourager (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). The writer of Hebrews is also talking about giving spiritual encouragement. He instructs us to hold tightly to the hope we say we have and to encourage one another’s faith. He tells us to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds and not to neglect meeting together. Your words will inspire confidence in God and show love and support. They will inflate the deflated and lift up the weary. And those whose hearts are failing or are distant from Christ and his body will be drawn closer to his heart because of you. Ask God to show you who needs encouragement today: a weary single mom, a lonely senior citizen, a stressed- out teen, or a neighbor next door.
Prayers:
FATHER, empower me to hold tightly to my hope so that I can encourage those around me. Who needs inspiration to love and good deeds today? Who could I gently encourage to gather with me and other believers to worship you and pray? Use me to give others assurance and hope. Give me creative ideas that will spur others to an outburst of love and good deeds! And I will give you all the glory.
Quotes:
Take with you words, strong words of courage: Words that have wings! . . . Tall words, words that reach up, and growing words, with deep life within them.
Jo Petty
The One Year Bible Readings for today are: Ezekiel 23:1-49; Hebrews 10:18-39; Psalm 109:1-31 and Proverbs 27:13.
