Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Faithfulness in waiting for God's promises

Bible Reading: Hebrews 10:19-25

 

Key Verse: And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works (Heb: 10:24)


DEVOTION

Hebrews 10: 19 – 25 converses the practical exhortation of faith.
Jesus is our gateway to the presence of God (v 19-21). The veil that separated God and men was torn apart opening a new and living way to enter into communion with God. The veil represents the body of Jesus which was broken and torn apart upon the cross shedding the life-giving blood. It was at the cross that people really saw God. Jesus is our high priest over the house of God in heaven which leads us to the holy presence of the almighty God.
Jesus is the only one who can cleanse us internally from our sins. (v 22-23). Jesus died for us once- and- for- all on the cross of Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. In the Old Testament, the high priest performed sacrifices and rituals repeatedly for the forgiveness of sins. But Jesus died on the cross to cleanse people of their sins forever. It is not about external purification, but he cleanses our innermost thoughts and desires until they are spotless by his presence and his spirit. By faith we are privileged to approach the presence of God.
Putting faith into practice. (v 23-25) 
Enter the presence of God: We become too involved in worldly things that we neglect the world of eternal things. God wants us to repeatedly turn to God throughout the day's activities even if it is only for a moment. We all carry our own shrines, but many a time forget to enter them.
Let our faith be unshakable: The cynical voices of this world may try to take our faith away. The events of life may conspire to shake our faith. We must have a grip on our faith that nothing can loosen.
Taking thought for others: We are Christians not only for our own sake but also for the sake of others. We must encourage each other to noble living by setting a good example. We need to be Christ like, it has been rightly said that a Saint is someone in whom Christ stands revealed. The writer of Hebrews urges us to worship together and not abandon the habit of meeting together. God does not wish for us to be Christians in isolation. We must encourage one another. One of the highest human duties is that of encouragement. Blessed are those who speak kind and encouraging words. The day of the second coming is approaching. Time is short. In the time we have, it is our duty to do all the good we can in all diverse ways we can.
 

  PRAYER

Lord, thank you for breaking your holy body, for us to enter the presence of God. Help us to have abounding and unshakable faith to live a true Christian life which is pleasing to your eyes. Amen.
 

Thought of the day

It is important to declare our faith and proclaim our faith openly to others because either “discipleship kills secrecy or secrecy kills discipleship.”

 

Benzy John
Immanuel Marthoma Church, Houston

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