EXIT US READING DAY 25
BIBLE READING PLAN WEEK 5
EXITING OUR HEARTS
DAY 5
In our readings this week, we’re focusing on the key idea from Exodus 7: “A hard heart will always lead to a hard life away from a gentle God.” Today, we will read from Hebrews 3.
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.
Reflection: The writer of Hebrews tells us “see to it… that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away… hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (vs 12-13). How do we do that? “Encourage one another daily,” the writer says (vs 13). Staying the course with God takes the encouragement of others.- Who is a Christian brother or sister who you could encourage today? What words could you say to lift them up? Pray for them and then go for it!
See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14 We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. 15 As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” 16 Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? 17 And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? 19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.
Reflection: This week we’ve read of Pharaoh’s hard heart, Israel’s hard heart and considered areas where our hearts are hard. We’ve seen that the solution to a hard heart is God’s gift of a new heart and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us. We’ve also read of ways scripture encourages us to keep our hearts soft. Today, we end with one more way to protect our hearts: our Christian brothers and sisters. The writer of Hebrews tells us “see to it… that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away… hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (vs 12-13). How do we do that? “Encourage one another daily,” the writer says (vs 13). Staying the course with God takes the encouragement of others. We need others to remind us who God is, that the mission is worth it, there’s a finish line coming and we’re in this together! And we need that reminder not just sometimes, but consistently – in fact, daily!- Who are people who encourage you? Text them a thank you today.
- Who is a Christian brother or sister who you could encourage today? What words could you say to lift them up? Pray for them and then go for it!
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.
Reflection: Think about your best friend. Now, imagine that they tell you ‘hey, I’m going to try out for the baseball team.’ But here’s the deal… they’ve never played baseball in their life! They don’t even know the basic rules of baseball! How in the world are they going to make the team?? So now, you have a choice: You can either tell them ‘umm, are you CRAZY?? Don’t do that, it’s going to be HORRIBLE!’ and crush their spirits. OR you can say ‘That’s great! How about you and I go and practice together to get you ready to try out!’. Which answer do you think a better friend would have? The second one, right? It’s your best friend, you don’t want to discourage them, you want to lift them up and help them! In our Bible reading today, we read that we are supposed to be encouraging each other, not putting each other down. But this doesn’t only apply to our best friend, it applies to everyone! Don’t go around putting people down, encourage them! Lift them up! Help them out with what they want to do! That’s what Jesus is telling us we need to be doing – so lets do it!- What is one way you can encourage someone today?
- What areas do you need encouragement in? How can your family help you with that?
Focus Verse: But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13
Devotional:
Today, we are shown one more way to protect our hearts: our Christian brothers and sisters. How do we do that? “Encourage one another daily,” the writer of Hebrews says. Staying the course with God takes the encouragement of others. We need others to remind us who God is, that the mission is worth it, there’s a finish line coming and we’re in this together! And we need that reminder not just sometimes, but consistently – in fact, daily!
- Who are people who encourage you? Text them a thank you today
- Who is a Christian friend who you could encourage today? What words could you say to lift them up? Pray for them and then go for it!
Focus Verse: But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13
Devotional:
Today, we are shown one more way to protect our hearts: our Christian brothers and sisters. How do we do that? “Encourage one another daily,” the writer of Hebrews says. Staying the course with God takes the encouragement of others. We need others to remind us who God is, that the mission is worth it, there’s a finish line coming and we’re in this together! And we need that reminder not just sometimes, but consistently – in fact, daily!
- Who are people who encourage you? Text them a thank you today
- Who is a Christian friend who you could encourage today? What words could you say to lift them up? Pray for them and then go for it!