Monday Devotional: November 11, 2024

Bible Reading: Hebrews 10:23-25

²³ Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 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 approaching.

Several trends in modern society have left us lonely spiritual people. The first is the anti-institutional mood that says we are spiritual beings who do not need the church. Many think they might be more spiritual without church, without encumbrances of difficult people, the politics, budgets, and buildings.

The second shift comes in the way we now think of friendship. We consider a friend to be a person we choose by preference, someone who shares our interest and our notions of fun. When with our friends, we talk about sailing or cooking or golf- nothing of life-transforming substance; when we turn our attention to God, we are alone.

What is Hebrews’ brilliant counsel? “Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” Having encouraged true hearts of the assurance of faith and holding fast to hope, the writer goes on to remind his readers of the importance of gathering as a committed body. These verses imply that some in the faith community were choosing not to attend worship, thereby missing out on a crucial aspect of instruction: the example without words.

Our best chance for a meaningful experience of God comes when we hear and see God’s activity demonstrated in the lives of others. We receive a special blessing when we gather with those who are different or difficult. Friction seems like a problem until we realize friction creates warmth. And friction polishes so that we can become clear mirrors of God to others.

Jesus saved us to be part of the body rather than independent practitioners. The body has various members; its differences prove to be the beauty and the hope of the faithful.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, move me to join with others so we can encourage and rouse one another to good works. Amen.

By James C. Howell, The Upper Room Disciplines 2015, page 330.

BIBLE STUDY

“Praise for the Only One”

Bible Readings: Psalm 113:1-9, Hebrews 10:11-14, 19-25

ZOOM Session

Monday, November 11, 2024, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

(For Zoom Link, send email to [email protected])

IN PERSON Session

Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 1:00 pm-2:00 pm, Conference Room, McGee Building.