We live in a world with many needs. The economy isn’t great, politics stink, families have struggles. Let’s face it – we have a mess. I am thankful that God provides help. If you read Hebrews 4:14-15 you will find that the help is meant for our weaknesses. Jesus was tempted in every way we are. He can sympathize with our struggle. His ability to avoid sin gives me more encouragement about His help. I just need to go boldly to Him to ask for help. I will receive compassion and kindness from the One Who died for me. This will help my weakness.
Dear Heavenly Father, we have so many struggles. Please remind us to come boldly to ask for help. Thank You that you will give generously.
The apostle Paul often opens his letters with thankfulness for the believers to whom he is writing. I like how Paul qualifies that thankfulness in this book. This is because of the love the Colossians had “for all the saints”. John 13:35 tells us that people will know we belong to Jesus by our “love for one another.” This tells us that love for other believers is very important.
Love doesn’t always come easily. We face many challenges. However, God is faithful to increase our love for Him and others through the challenges. He gives us His Spirit and His Word. And He gives us other believers with whom we can wrestle through the difficulties.
Dear Heavenly Father, please give us the wisdom we need to show all men that we are Yours. Guide us to love as You do.
I love this verse. Jesus humbled Himself to come to earth to be a sacrifice for us. That gift cannot be fully expressed with words. The best part – those of us who accept this gift will have all eternity to learn the beauty of this gift. I’m glad God allows us to start learning now.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the amazing gift that words cannot express. I am in awe of Your love.
I love the promises in the book of Hebrews. God provides the solid ground we need to persevere. He is faithful and will keep His promises.
Those of us who have read and study the Bible can easily think of many promises. God promised to send a Messiah and Jesus came. Jesus told believers that the Holy Spirit would help them and He dwells within us. There are so many others throughout the Bible.
I hope the reminder of Jesus’ birth at Christmas brings many promises to mind. God’s gifts are the most generous.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the many promises You give. Thank You that we can rely on Your faithfulness. Please help us to remember this when life is difficult.
We live in an age where everyone is considered “worthy”. Webster’s dictionary defines worthy as “having worth or value”. We all want to be valuable. In Philippians 1:27, we are told to walk worthy of the gospel. The second part of the verse tells us how to be worthy. We need to stand firm in unity for the sake of the gospel. Everything in our lives need to point back to the good news of Jesus Christ.
I wonder if we would have more value if more of our lives were lived for the sake of the gospel.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the instructions You give in Your word. Please help us to live unified for the sake of the gospel. We need You to guide us.
Every now and then, I hear the saying, “Don’t be so heavenly minded you are no earthly good.” I think we need to define what that means. True heavenly mindedness is commanded in the Bible. Colossians 3 begins by telling us to “seek the things that are above”. 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Colossians 3:23 tell us everything needs to be for the honor and glory of God.
I think we know people who seem out of touch with the here and now. That may be true, but it doesn’t change the commands of the Bible. God has told us that He is to be the center of our lives. Everything I do should honor and glorify my Heavenly Father.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the instruction You provide in Your Word. Please help us to obey what You have commanded by living our lives only for You. Give us the strength we need.
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:19-25
I love this passage of Scripture. It reminds children of God that we have confidence in going to our Heavenly Father. Verse 23 is my favorite part – I need to hold fast and God is faithful. I know there are many times I don’t feel as though I can hold without wavering. Yet my loving, heavenly Father is faithful – unwavering.
One help God has provided is other believers. Verses 24-25 tell us what we are to do for each other. God knows we cannot be faithful without other believers. We need to be a network of strength for each other. The end of verse 25 tells us that we need to encourage one another more as time goes on. We need to read and study God’s Word and encourage each other with what we have learned. The more difficult life gets, the more we need to band together – holding each other up.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for giving us instruction in Your Word. Please help us to hold fast and encourage each other to do the same. Please draw us nearer to You each day.
Pleading in Prayer 