Slices
Prepare
Draw near to God. Nothing stands in your way. Christ has removed every obstacle. God is delighted you are here.
Bible passage
A call to persevere in faith
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, 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 and with the full assurance that faith brings, 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 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.
Explore
When you pray or open your Bible, how do you approach God? Here, we are invited to draw near to God confidently (v 22). Not confident in our own worth or moral rectitude but confident in every benefit Jesus has won for us through his sacrificial death (vs 19,20,22). Since God has done everything to bring us back to himself, we can trust his love and care for us. We do not need to pretend. We come as we are (v 22).
No more ritual or sacrifice is necessary. All that is left is to serve God wholeheartedly until the day of judgement. That means holding to the truth about Jesus and keeping going through thick and thin. It means following Jesus in loving and doing good wherever we are. It means not being a ‘lone Christian’ (v 24). If we say we love God then we will love his other children too. Meeting face to face with other believers is not chiefly for our benefit: it is an act of love towards fellow believers. We can love those who are flagging in their faith by encouraging them to hold on to Jesus.
Respond
Do you need to reconnect with your local church fellowship? Or maybe there is a believer you know who is isolated, maybe due to illness or family circumstances. How might you encourage them this week?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Ezekiel 1; John 21
Pray for Scripture Union
Join the team in Wales in praising God for the opportunities they have through holiday clubs and events. Please pray that God will keep working within the lives of those who have been touched by his Spirit and will continue to reach out to others.
