First Step - day 27

Today’s Bible Reading

Hebrews 10:19-25

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. 25 Let 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.

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

1. How do the blood of Christ (v.19) and the priesthood of Christ (v.21) give you the right and the confidence to worship God?

2. What are the four “let us” statements in verses 22-25? What does each of these statements tell you to do?

3. What is one thing you can do to spur others “on towards love and good deeds”? (v.24). How do we encourage one another by meeting together? (v.25).

Today’s Key Verse:

Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Let 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.

Go To Church? Why

In a letter to the editor of a newspaper, a man complained that he saw no sense in going to church every Sunday. “I have been attending services quite regularly for the past 30 years,” he wrote, “and during that time . . . I have listened to no less than 3,000 sermons. But, to my [dismay], I discover I cannot remember a single one of them. I wonder if a minister’s time might be more profitably spent on something else.”

That letter sparked many responses. One, however, was a real gem: “I have been married for 30 years. During that time I have eaten 32,850 meals—mostly of my wife’s cooking. Suddenly I have discovered that I cannot remember the menu of a single meal. And yet, I received nourishment from every one of them. I have the distinct impression that without them I would have starved to death long ago.”

The Bible assumes the importance of going to church, and the only direct command to do so appears in the context of the danger of not doing so (Hebrews 10:25). We need help to keep our faith and hope from faltering (v.23), and to love and do good works (v.24). Just as physical food keeps us alive and strong, so also the spiritual nourishment of teaching and fellowship are necessary for our survival.

—Dennis DeHaan

I love to worship with others, To read the Bible and pray, To sing the songs about Jesus, And learn to walk in His way. —Hess

To keep growing in Christ, keep going to church.