Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
October 22, 2022
Read Hebrews 10:23-25
23 Let’s hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, because the one who made the promises is reliable. 24 And let us consider each other carefully for the purpose of sparking love and good deeds. 25 Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near.
Good Morning, Encourage one another!
As Americans, we have many rights and privileges that include the ability to meet together in fellowship and worship. It is easy to take this blessing for granted because it has been part of our lives for generations. When you consider the challenges that believers around the world face who are not blessed with this freedom. They must hide their faith and meet in secrecy.
Remember March 2020 when our church doors were closed and we were told to stay home. Most of us expected for this quarantine to last for a couple of weeks, but few could have imagined the length of time that we were discouraged from joining together with friends and even family.
During this time, it became important to find other ways to join together in fellowship. I remember working with others to find a way to celebrate Easter Sunday together. Even though we were each in our own homes and spaces, we joined together through virtual services that transcended time and space. Not even a global pandemic could stop us from celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. If not us, even the rocks would have shouted their praises.
We were reminded that time together is precious. When we gather together, we are blessed, encouraged, and supported as we worship. Hope of a new day dawning is essential to our faith. This hope must be shared with those who have lost that vision.
Joining together to read Scripture, praise God, and pray together provides us with the spiritual nourishment for which our souls long. We must not take these opportunities for granted. We do not know the day nor the hour when we will be called home to glory.
Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. Hope in a new day dawning encourages us. Help us to never lose this hope. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: When we worship together, we can offer the gift of hope.
Claim the hope of the resurrection! Pastor Liz
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