WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: Ask the Lord to speak to you through this reading today.

Missing the deadline
My life is ruled by deadlines. I suspect yours is too. If I don’t renew my car licence, I may not drive the car. As a nursing sister, if I don’t pay my registration fees, I will be removed from the roll. If I miss a writing deadline, my work won‘t be published. If we forget the phone bill, we’ll be unable to phone, Skype or send emails.

We all try not to miss deadlines. How sad then that so many people miss the most important deadline of all. No matter who we are, how old we are, how well off we are, or where we live, one day we will all die. We will each appear before Almighty God (9:27).

Hang in there
Where the Old Testament sacrifices only pointed to a coming Redeemer (8:5a), today we can draw near to God through Jesus Christ. The first readers of Hebrews had already faced persecution yet they stayed strong in their faith (vs 32–34).

However, the writer fears that, as they face constant criticism and further tribulation, they might turn back to their old ways. He urges them, and us, to hang in there (vs 35,36). The key issue is not how we started out as Christians (no matter how dramatic our conversion experience) but how we end.

Respond: What person, habit or activity puts the most negative pressure on your spiritual life? Pray now that you will see new ways of standing firm in your faith.

http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-05-05