KEEP THE FAITH

LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Hebrews

[41]

Read Hebrews 10: 1-25

     Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.   Hebrews 10:22 NKJV

* * *

     In the midst of persecution and trials the Hebrew believers were struggling to keep the faith. This encouraging letter reminds them that the holiest place of the temple has been opened by the blood of Jesus Christ. Now they can draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith to fellowship with God Himself. Don’t give up, but rather, “let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (10:22-23)

* * *

     Perhaps these Christians found themselves irritated with their fellow believers in the presence of all the outside pressure. Maybe they were tempted just like we are, to just drop out for awhile and blend in with the culture. Why put ourselves with a group of people who sometimes don’t even get along?

* * *

     Help us Lord, to remain faithful to you and to our fellow believers. Give us the motivation to follow this admonition in Hebrews:

* * *

     And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.   Hebrews 10:24-25

FINISHING WITH JOY

[84]

FROM EPHESUS TO JERUSALEM

Read Acts 19:21–41; 20:17–38

     Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more.   Acts 20:37b–38a NKJV

* * *

     For the first three months in Ephesus, Paul preached in the Jewish synagogues, but when opposition to the gospel escalated he began to reason daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. (19:9b–10 NIV)

     After three years of ministry in Ephesus, Paul was forced to leave. Later, when he arrived at Miletus, he sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When they arrived, he said,

    "And now compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me." (20:22–23 NIV)

* * *

     Paul traveled on three missionary journeys, planting churches everywhere. Then he would go on to prison and accomplish the greatest task of all – writing inspired letters that are still ministering to us today as part of the Word of God. Lord, help us to build carefully on the foundation others have laid and be faithful to pass on the message of Your grace.

* * *

     But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.    Acts 20:24 NKJV