Sunday, March 04, 2007

March 3 - Encouragement

Today's Reading:
O.T. - Nehemiah 3 - 4
N.T. - Hebrews 10

Focus Verses: Hebrews 10:23-25
23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Insight:
God is faithful and he will keep his promises made to us in Christ. Because I have professed faith in Christ, I will hold on tightly to the hope I have in him. Christian community should be a source of encouragement to all believers. It should also prompt believers to grow in love and to do good deeds.

Response and Action:
I must hold on tightly to hope I have in Jesus. I must live out my faith in the company of friends who also follow Jesus. Christian community is necessary for me; I must be actively involved in the fellowship of the Church. Christian friends can encourage me in my faith and spur me on to do good deeds. I, too, can be a source of godly encouragement and prompting for others.

O God, you are faithful to your promises. Help me to remember your promises and cling to the hope I have in you. Surround me with Christian friends who can encourage me and push me toward righteousness. Help me to be a source of encouragement and prompting for my Christian friends. Amen.

Proverbs: 3:3
"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."

Resources:
Encouragement: The Key to Caring
by Dr. Larry Crabb and Dr. Dan B. Allender