praying effectively: Hold Fast without Wavering (Heb.10:23-39)

(Hebrews 10:23-39)  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

26 For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, 33 partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. 34 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. 35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

37 For yet in a very little while,
He who is coming will come, and will not delay.
38 But My righteous one shall live by faith;
And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him.

39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul. 

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we are saved by faith through Jesus, which brings eternal life,  and being saved means we will want to live in God's will, which brings rewards for good deeds done with pure motives (10:36-39) 

- that we hold fast to our confession without wavering (10:23)

- that we remain confident in our salvation (10:35)

- that we are faithful in attending church (10:25)

- that we encourage one another to love, to do good deeds, and come to church regularly (10:24-25)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your eternal and all-powerful faithfulness.  Thank You for saving us and giving us the promise of eternal life.  May we not take Your grace for granted, which would insult Your spirit of grace.

Help us to remain steadfast in our walk with You.  Not only steadfast, help us to be confident!  Help us to see that going to church is to sacrifice our time and energy and resources - because we should want to go worship and give praise You - in a public demonstration of our love and devotion and gratitude.  How could we not?  But You know that we are weak.  Give us strength in our desire to continually seek out and do Your will.  Guide us and equip us to encourage our fellow believers to do the same.  All to Your glory, amen.