AtACrossroads.net Weekly Bible Reading Devotional
Day 1 – Read Hebrews 12:1-17
The “Therefore” in verse 1 is referring to the point the author just made in chapter 11. So (chapter 11) keep faith, because God is faithful (look at all these examples!), even if it doesn’t feel like he’s faithful in the midst of your present persecution…(chapter 12) as all of these people who have exemplified faith and have gone before you are now witnesses of your faith, so be inspired by their faith and that they are watching you, and throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles you from running freely in the love of Jesus! What things are hindering and entangling that you need to give to Jesus at the foot of the cross?
Days 2 & 3 – Read Exodus 19:10-25; Deuteronomy 4:11-12; 5:22-26; Hebrews 12:18-29
Hebrews 12:18-21 are referring to when the law (with 10 Commandments) was given at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:10-25; Deuteronomy 4:11-12; 5:22-26). These verses serve as great reminders to us of how holy our God is and how pure holiness can’t be in the presence of sin. It simply isn’t possible. Sin dies in the presence of God’s awesome holiness. Allow that truth to humble you as a broken sinner, realizing we should indeed fear our holy God. Also allow this truth to well up so much joy in you because of the mercy God showed us by coming to earth to die on the cross so that we can have a relationship with him on Mount Zion (heaven!) rather than Mount Sinai (where we die in our sins). On Mount Zion, we can embrace God in a reconciled relationship, a reconciliation that is made possible by Jesus’ perfect sacrifice and substitution of our sins’ penalty via his death on the cross. He died in our sins so we wouldn’t have to die in our sins! And he died so that we could live with him as purified righteous children of his, rather than as sinners destined to hell.
Day 4 – Read Revelation 21
The “new heaven and new earth” described in v.1 and “the Holy City, the new Jerusalem” in v.2 are what Hebrews 12:22 are referring to from yesterday’s reading. Read Revelation 21 aloud and mentally picture what heaven will be like. Thank God that he made a way, through his blood shed on the cross, for you to spend eternity in this holy place with him!
Day 5 – Read Romans 5:1-11; John 16:33
Much of the New Testament was written to the persecuted church (e.g. Hebrews). In America, we are often startled whenever we are persecuted or go through trials, like God is giving us a raw deal. During and immediately after Jesus’ death (when the New Testament was written), persecution of Christians was expected. Allow the words of Romans 5, written to those being killed and tortured for their faith, to encourage you to not lose faith in the midst of the trials of life you are going through. Rather, ask God how he wants to strengthen your faith through your trials. Find great joy in the fact that Jesus suffered for us so that we would no longer be his enemies, but can be his children and be saved for all eternity.
Sorry for the lack of audio on this video — we had some technical difficulties in recording that morning — we’re still trying to figure out if we can salvage a good audio file or not.
12.29.13 Hebrews: Coached to Run from Lansing Crossroads Church on Vimeo.
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