Hebrews 11 - 1.29.25

Scripture

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Observation

Hebrews 11 is a reminder of the great heroes of faith who have gone before us. The writer encourages us in our faith by reminding us of ways God has kept his promises. Likewise, we should be keeping a record of the many times God has shown up for us to encourage us to continue to trust and stand on his promises.

Application

By faith we believe what has gone before - that God created the world, that the scripture is God breathed, that he sent his son to die for our sins and draw us into relationship with him.

By faith we hope for the future – we claim his promises, we trust him to meet our needs, we know he loves us and wants to work in and through us. By faith we persevere - even when we don’t see what we’ve been hoping for, even if it takes months or years. Or if we never actually see the promise fulfilled, we still trust that he is moving and in control.

“The challenge is ours now to do as the faithful of previous times did. The point of this whole section has been to lift up the necessity of persevering in faith especially when adversity comes. The Promised reward is reserved for those who hold firm in faith through all of life’s challenges.” Asbury Bible Commentary

Prayer

God, please fill me with faith and trust in you in all circumstances. I have seen you work mightily and I know you will do it again and again. How freeing it is to put my hopes and my worries in your hands, knowing you are in control. My job is to follow you and walk in what you’ve called me to. The rest is up to you.

- Debbie Dunn

Hebrews 10 - 1.28.25

SCRIPTURE:  HEBREWS 10:24 – 25 (NIV)

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 

OBSERVATION

This scripture is full of action words. We are to think (consider), spur (motivate or provoke) each other to love and good deeds. We are being asked to carefully plan, to be mindful of one another, and intentionally stimulate others to love and doing good deeds. We are being called to actively participate in meeting the needs and help with the spiritual well-being of other believers.

The other action in this scripture is to not give up getting together. Most importantly, we should not neglect coming together in fellowship in church and other activities. Interestingly it says “as some are in the habit of doing” which means not coming to church or being around other Christians can become a habit. Just the same way you can be in the habit of coming to church, the habit of not attending church can become a habit. It all begins with not giving up… don’t step into the trap of giving up trying, persevering, and being faithful to the Lord, his church, and the body of Christ.

We are also charged to do all these things “all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Each day we’re closer to Christ’s return means we need to be more diligent and purposeful in spreading God’s love, encouragement, and bringing people to church.

APPLICATION

This scripture reminds me how much we need one another and how important the church body is to each of us. I have experienced the lack of this scripture in action and also the wonderful example of this scripture in action. This last Sunday is one of many examples from my DSC family. I wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t make it to church. Later in the day several sweet ladies reached out saying they missed me and wondered how I was doing. Their intentional action, and the many other times this happened in the past, has touched my heart, encouraged me, and spurred me on to love others – just as Hebrews 10:24 says. A simple act of a text, a call, a card, or visit can mean the world to someone. You just never know how much a loving act will affect others.

Verse 25 is especially important because it not only speaks to those who have fallen into the habit of not attending church, but also to us who know of these people and need to “encourage one another” back into fellowship. God created us to be social, to have relationships, and to need them because they’re an important part of our life. In the same way, our church relationships are an integral part of our faith and growth. It’s important that we take the time, be intentional, reach out to others who are not In a church fellowship and invite them to church. Your call or text might be all they need to spur them on, to know they are loved, and to encourage them back into fellowship with God and the church body.

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for your Word and the encouragement it provides to us. Thank you for your love and showing how we can love others. In that love, help me to always be an encouragement to others to spur them on to love and do good deeds. Please give me your insight, wisdom and words to reach out to those who have fallen away from church / fellowship, to gently and lovingly encourage them to return into fellowship not only with others but in fellowship with You. In Jesus name, amen!

- Mary Oberg

Hebrews 9 - 1.27.25

Scripture

Hebrews 9:28 (NIV)

“so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

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Observation

This chapter is comparing what worship looked like through the old covenant, to how it changed because of the blood of Christ.

The high priest was the only one who could enter the inner room of the tabernacle, every year with blood, to offer up for his sins and the sins of others (vs. 7)

However, Jesus’ sacrifice started the New Covenant and He became our new High Priest! The sacrifice of His perfect blood paid the penalty of all past, present and future sins! It had to be done only once, instead of every year in the old covenant, from the earthly high priest. Thank You Jesus and praise God!

Application

Praise God for being the ultimate sacrifice for our sins!

Build our hope and praise on Jesus, who sacrificed for our sins.  He will also return a 2nd time, so let’s continue to be hopeful for that as we continue to work for Him and bring others with us!

I love the words of this hymn:

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Christ and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.

All other ground is sinking sand.

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank You for taking the penalty of my sins, past, present and future! Thank You for doing away with the Old Covenant, where only priests could enter your Holy Place and had to offer blood atonement for the people’s sins every single year! I’m so grateful for the New Covenant where your sacrifice of perfect blood was sufficient for me! You are worthy of my praise always! I confess that I sometimes take for granted how much You have done for me. Help me to always remember. I pray for myself and my church family, that we would continue to be grateful for Your sacrifice and hopeful for Your promised 2nd return. In Your name I pray Jesus, Amen. 

- Michelle Gaddi