All That He Has Promised +

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT

I met with some friends for lunch - all women - but with very diverse lives and backgrounds. I knew enough about each of those women to know that they were all facing huge challenges of one kind or another... but we had a great time. After all, how can you go wrong with Jesus as your common denominator (and the added enjoyment of Gringo's green sauce & chips on the side)?

What I witnessed at the lunch were Christians at their best. Some of them were really struggling with life-changing issues and yet, I watched as they applauded and affirmed a baby Christian, and strengthened one whose way has been steep, and encouraged another who was battle-weary. Warriors of the faith - 20 and 30 and 40-plus years of walking with the Lord - as excited to hear the discoveries of a new convert as they were to hear of the steadfast faithfulness of the Lord. And each one came away more focused on who HE IS than on what we aren't - more determined to light our world than to lay back to let someone else do it. All because we made the small, small effort to meet together, to encourage one another...

A little further in the chapter of our text for today, we find these words - Hebrews 10:34b-36, You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. (Emphasis mine)

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for friends and family who will cheer us on and help us to finish the race and not let us give up this close to the finish. Thank You for the good reports in the midst of the battles. We give You praise for those. Help us to strive for even more opportunities to encourage one another, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Encouraged to Obey +

If you love me, obey my commandments.
John 14:15 NLT

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.

Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”

Jesus replied, All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn't love me will not obey me.

And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe. John 14:16-29 NLT

Prayer:

Father,
           We choose to accept and obey what You say. We love You, Father. Help us to love You more... In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen