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Day 40: Hebrews 3/Psalm 103
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Sunday April 4, 2004
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You’re
looking good!
Chapter 3 of
Hebrews reminds us that our Christian calling is a challenging deal.
Unlike many journeys, our biggest threat does not come from without,
but from within. The writer uses an example from the Old Testament to
make his point. When God brought the people of Israel out of Egypt, it
took them 40 years to make a 2-week journey to the Promised Land.
During that time, those whose hearts succumbed to unbelief,
complaining, and rebellion were disqualified. They didn’t make it to
the end.
The writer now
turns to his audience and says, “See to it, brothers, that none of you
has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.”
Vs.12. Okay, how do I do that? First he says that I can help my own
heart condition by, “fixing my thoughts on Jesus” v. 1, and continuing
to “hold on” vss. 6 & 14. Then he goes on to say that I can help
others as I “encourage one another daily, … so that none of you may be
hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” V.13
When I ran the
Flying Pig this year, I felt more like a crawling slug. At mile 19 a
little voice began to say, “Quit now while you’re alive!” My body
seemed to be agreeing with the voice. But the streets were lined with
other voices, thousands of cheering people. . Some of the people I
knew, others I didn’t. They helped drown out the little voice in my
head. They would say things like, “you’re looking good”, “keep going”,
and “you’re going to make it”. It really helped. I fixed my thoughts on
the goal; I held on and soaked in the encouragement. You can do the
same. Our Christian calling is a big deal. You’re looking good! Keep
going! You’re going to make it!
Today’s
Prayer:
Lord, thanks for running with us and setting the pace. Help me keep
my thoughts on you and encourage those around me and to just hang on
when the going gets tough.
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Memory Verse of the Week:
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in
the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD , "He is my
refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
Psalm 91:1-2 (New International Version)
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For a complete
listing of all the previous devotionals in this "50 Day
Experience," click here.
To read the chapter or psalm of the day online, click on one of the
following links:
o
Hebrews
3
o
Psalm
103
Duane Davis, davis@cincyvineyard.com, East
Zone Pastor at VCC
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