While We Wait #250

Hebrews 10:23 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 toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The writer of Hebrews speaks of the Day approaching. What day is he talking about? He is writing about the Day of the return of Jesus Christ to earth. He is writing about the coming of Jesus in the clouds to receive His Bride, the Church into His presence for all eternity.

The writer then gives instructions concerning your preparation for the Day. First he tells you to hold unswervingly to the hope you profess. You have hope in Christ. It is the hope that when He comes you will be caught up with Him. It is the hope that you are His child by faith. It is the hope that what He began in you He will complete. As the hymn says, “my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.

The writer then tells you to spur one another on toward love and good deeds. The motivation to live the Christian life is affected by One Another. You need to spur one another forward in your faith.

The writer says you accomplish this motivation by meeting together. Do not forsake meeting together. The emphasis in the scripture is the Body of Christ, the Church, the believer’s meeting with and for one another in order to support one another in our faith.

The last thing the writer says is that we need to encourage one another. You need encouragement on a daily basis. As you find a greater need in your life to be encouraged because of situations, circumstances, struggles and trials you will find that you need your fellow believers to encourage you.

The community of believers is designed to be a support system for each and every believer. There is no such thing as a ‘lone ranger’ Christian. God has placed you in a community of believers in order to walk in Christ. As you look forward to The Day of His second coming praise God for the fellowship you have with other believers.

________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

This has been a great morning at Starbucks. God has brought in people that allowed me to discuss the Bible, talk about family, pray for needs and just fellowship with fellow believers. 

School is almost out. That means vacation time for so many of you. I do hope you have an opportunity to spend time with family and friends and receive a few days off work and school. Our family is looking forward to some days camping in the mountains of Arizona. The Rim Country and the White Mountains are such beautiful parts of our state. Many of you across the US think we only have deserts in AZ. The truth is that almost one half of the state is what we lovingly call, "The High Country."

Sandy and I again have had the privilege of attending band concerts this week. Burke has a concert Friday night. Sandy and I also are enjoying watching the two youngest grandsons a couple of times a week. Justin is five months old and is a happy little guy. He has started laughing out loud. What a joy. Johnny is two and is a real hoot. 

Sandy and I are taking Collin and one of his friends camping week after next. We are hoping that Mandy, John, Johnny and Justin will go with us. We are headed to the Rim Country for that camping trip. 

God continues to open doors for me to preach. I will be at First Baptist Church of Tempe May 26th. I will be preaching all three morning services at 8, 9:30 and 11:00. On June 9th Pastor Don at West Glendale Baptist Church has asked me to preach for him. Last Sunday May 19th I had a wonderful time with the Church on Randall Place in Pine, AZ. Not only did I get to preach, but enjoyed great fellowship and a pot luck lunch. John and Simone are wonder leaders in that church. 

We are excited about having Gary and Janie Black and EM and Ann Hay visiting us this next week. We are OLD college friends. 

My friend, Stan from my church, took me to meet an elderly man who has several old tractors. Jumping on an old John Deere and an old Farmall was the thrill of the week. I road around his corral and enjoyed every minute. 

I can't express to you how grateful I am to you for your prayers. My health is the best it has been in a long time. The cancer is still active and growing, but I feel good. The oncologist always looks at my lab work and then says, "But I want to know how you feel." I FEEL GOOD!!

God is good. Never forget that. 

May God bless you this week through your community of faith.  ~ DGW