Belong

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Scripture: Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)

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.

Devotion:

            This scripture is important because it reveals another critical foundation for spiritual growth. In my last devotion we covered “Be Loved” as the first foundation for spiritual growth and we learned that it is of critical importance to our growth to be aware of and believe in God’s unconditional love for us as humans created in his image. Marking out the vertical relationship between God in heaven and man here on earth. Today, we look at the horizontal relationship between people specifically believers.

            The passage from Hebrews we have for today’s devotion may be familiar to you. I urge you to look at it with fresh eyes to see the meaning it has for us in today’s world. To begin with the world needs us to do good works. The writer of Hebrews tells us that we need to figure out a way that we can increase the amount and quality of our good works. We can do this by figuring out how to stir up our servant love for one another. God is willing to show us the way to do this if we will just ask. A church that is united in servant love performing acts of love and service for each other and our communities will be noticed by the world at large and serve to attract some to God’s family.

            The next thing this scripture urges us to do is to meet together as a church. As we slowly put the Covid-19 pandemic in our rear view mirror, we can realize that we really were missing something in all those streaming broadcasts of services. Human to Human and face to face (albeit with a mask on) relating is far better than any service taken in on a screen. There is something powerful about joining with other voices in song and prayer. Praising the Lord together is always better than praising the Lord alone. (As important as that is.) So, if it is at all possible for you to meet with other believers for worship, I strongly encourage you to do it. For your benefit and the benefit of the whole of the church.

            Finally, the scripture tells us to encourage one another and to be all the more committed to do this as we see the day coming closer. Now, I certainly have no idea when Jesus will return, but this I do know, each day that passes brings us that much closer to his return. Therefore, we must reach out to encourage one another more and more with each passing day. God’s Holy Spirit is necessary for this to occur. We must, therefore, pray to God to send his Spirit that we may do the things required of us in these verses.

Prayer:

            Gracious and Holy God, we come before you to praise you for establishing your church on earth. We pray that you will energize us to be faithful servants of one another in our churches. Grant that we will be able to be a positive force for your goodness and love in the world. Lord, let our light shine forth to the nations. That those who are living in darkness may see your light shining through us and be attracted to it. Amen.

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