Begin by taking two minutes of silence and stillness.
Scripture: Hebrews 10:23-25
23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, 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.
Devotional
By Ava Beck
“There are times when we approach Scripture, whether in private study or gathered worship, and find it powerful and memorable -- sermons we quote and carry around with us, stories we tell of being impacted and changed. There are other times when the Scriptures seem as unappetizing as stale bread…
How should we respond when we find the Word perplexing or dry or boring or unappealing? We keep eating. We receive nourishment. We keep listening and learning and taking our daily bread. We wait on God to give us what we need to sustain us one more day. We acknowledge that there is far more wonder in this life of worship than we yet have eyes to see or stomachs to digest.”
- Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren
On a daily and weekly basis, we are faced with the challenge described by the author of Hebrews: to either “stir up one another to love and good works,” or to “neglect to meet together.” When we meet together in whatever capacity we can, we open ourselves to the opportunity to encourage one another. Meeting together is not about what we as individuals gain from the experience, but rather about what we can give to those we come in contact with. Some days, this comes easily, but some days it feels stale and uninspired.
Either way, we are called to hold unswervingly to the hope that we profess: the hope we have in Christ. As the Lord is faithful to us so we are to be faithful to Him; not only when it is convenient, powerful, and memorable, but all the time. We need a faith community to nourish our souls as much as we need food to nourish our bodies, and that community is built on sharing with and encouraging one another, stirring up one another to love and good works.
Question to Ponder
What opportunities do I have today to “stir up another to love and good works?”
Prayer
Lord Christ, thank you for being faithful and for providing a hope that can come only from you. Teach me to hold unswervingly to that hope, building up and encouraging those close to me and those I have yet to meet. Lead me toward community and bless my efforts to stir up my family, friends, and neighbors to love and good works. Amen.
End with two minutes of silence and stillness.
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