Daily Devotional
By Pastor Jerry Teboe
Faithful in 2024
How to Draw Near to Christ
Hebrews 10:19-25
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; Heb 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God; Heb 10:22 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. Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
We are encouraged to enter into the presence of Jesus with boldness. This entrance was obtained for us by Christ’s death on the cross.
In this portion, the writer uses the phrase “let us” a total of thirteen times. Three of these occurrences are in this text, and these three commands are given to every Christian:
- Let us draw near with a true heart” (vv. 21-22). We draw near to God when we live in constant recognition of His presence in our life. We do not draw near to God just by going to church. We are no nearer to Him there than we are at home, but when we go to church, we can experience His presence as we fellowship together with other believers.
- “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering“ (v. 23). This does not mean to hold on to our salvation, because that depends on Christ and not ourselves. Instead, this is an exhortation for endurance to speak out and tell others about our salvation.
- “Let us consider one another by stirring each other up to love and good works“ (vv. 24-25). Apparently, some Christians had not been faithful in their gathering for fellowship with other Christians. The emphasis here is not on what we can get, but rather on what we can give. We may never realize the encouragement it is to others when we go to church to worship the Lord together.
So as you can see from Hebrew’s timely words, we are indeed blessed by our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ. Because of our relationship with Him, we need to be active in encouraging other believers to be faithful in church and fellowshipping together.
Christ loves us so much. He truly wants us to come to Him boldly and take advantage of all He has done for us.
________________________________________________________________
Bible Reading for the Year
July 27th, Isaiah 40-43
July 28th, Isaiah 44-48
Prayer Needs
Pray for services this Sunday for Christ to be worshiped and praised.
Please pray for Anita Langley. She has uterine cancer and will be having a hysterectomy on July 30th. Please continue praying for both Anita and Leckie.
Pray for Carolyn Tyson who has covid.
Please continue to pray for Florence Parkhill. She had the first chemo treatment on Monday the 22nd. Please keep her in your prayers.
Please pray for Liz Daughtery, that she will soon be able to go home.
Pray for our nation to come back to God (2 Chronicles 7:14),
especially because of the violence and evil that is taking place.
Pray for Israel and pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
_________________________________________________________________
Pray for our Missionaries!
Sue Singleton and the mission in Cambodia.
Dr. Joe Jordan and the CBM (Cross and Bible Ministries.)
Travis and Caroline Fennessy – IBM missionaries to Southeast Asia.