Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.[a]
Therefore we must be wary[a] that, while the promise of entering his rest remains open, none of you may seem to have come short of it. 2 For we had good news proclaimed to us just as they did. But the message they heard did them no good, since they did not join in[b] with those who heard it in faith.[c]3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my anger, ‘They will never enter my rest!’”[d] And yet God’s works[e] were accomplished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works,”[f]5 but to repeat the text cited earlier:[g] “They will never enter my rest!” 6 Therefore it remains for some to enter it, yet those to whom it was previously proclaimed did not enter because of disobedience. 7 So God[h] again ordains a certain day, “Today,” speaking through David[i] after so long a time, as in the words quoted before,[j] “Oh, that today you would listen as he speaks![k]Do not harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God[l] would not have spoken afterward about another day. 9 Consequently a Sabbath rest remains for the people of God. 10 For the one who enters God’s[m] rest has also rested from his works, just as God did from his own works. 11 Thus we must make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by following the same pattern of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from God,[n] but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.
This week’s challenge: Hebrews 4:16 reminds us we can approach God with confidence because He is always waiting to meet us with mercy and grace. Each day this week, commit to spending five minutes, outside of your normal prayer time, approaching God’s throne as you would approach a king or a president. With the same fear and expectation, lay your requests before Him, acknowledging Him as the only One truly able to meet your need. Record the ways God answers your petitions.
“Oh, that today you would listen as he speaks![b] 8 “Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness. 9 “There your fathers tested me and tried me,[c]and they saw my works for forty years. 10 “Therefore, I became provoked at that generation and said, ‘Their hearts are always wandering[d]and they have not known my ways.’ 11 “As I swore in my anger, ‘They will never enter my rest!’”[e]
12 See to it,[f] brothers and sisters,[g] that none of you has[h] an evil, unbelieving heart that forsakes[i] the living God.[j]13 But exhort one another each day, as long as it is called “Today,” that none of you may become hardened by sin’s deception. 14 For we have become partners with Christ, if in fact we hold our initial confidence[k] firm until the end. 15 As it says,[l] “Oh, that today you would listen as he speaks![m]Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”[n]16 For which ones heard and rebelled? Was it not all who came out of Egypt under Moses’ leadership?[o]17 And against whom was God[p] provoked for forty years? Was it not those who sinned, whosedead bodies fell in the wilderness?[q]18 And to whom did he swear they would never enter into his rest, except those who were disobedient? 19 So[r] we see that they could not enter because of unbelief.
Therefore, holy brothers and sisters,[a] partners in a heavenly calling, take note of Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess,[b]2 who is faithful to the one who appointed Him, as Moses was also in God’s[c] house.[d]3 For He has come to deserve greater glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house deserves greater honor than the house itself! 4 For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. 5 Now Moses was faithfulin all God’s[e]house[f] as a servant, to testify to the things that would be spoken. 6 But Christ[g] is faithful as a son over God’s[h] house. We are of His house,[i] if in fact we hold firmly[j] to our confidence and the hope we take pride in.[k]
Question of the Day: What must we do to not drift away?
Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the message spoken through angels[a] proved to be so firm that every violation[b] or disobedience received its just penalty, 3 how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was first communicated through the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard him, 4 while God confirmed their witness[c] with signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed[d] according to his will.
Question of the day: Obviously, as believers, we are to imitate what is good, but how do we know the difference between good and evil? Check out Hebrews 5:14 for the answer. To encourage others and help us grow in our faith and understanding please be sure to read and/or share your comments about today’s question or passage in the reply bar at the bottom of the page. Let’s spur one another on to love and good deeds.
9 I wrote something to the church but Diotrephes who loves to be first among them, does not acknowledge us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to the deeds he is doing—the bringing of unjustified charges against us with evil words! And not being content with that, he not only refuses to welcome the brothers himself, but hinders the people who want to do so and throws them out of the church!11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is bad but what is good.The one who does good is of God; the one who does what is bad has not seen God.
12 Demetrius has been testified to by all, even by the truth itself. We also testify to him, and you know that our testimony is true.
13 I have many things to write to you, but I do not wish to write to you withpen and ink. 14 But I hope to see you right away, and we will speak face to face. 15 Peace be with you.The friends here greet you. Greet the friends there by name.
Question of the day: How can we support, or become co-workers in, the spreading of the Gospel? To encourage others and help us grow in our faith and understanding please be sure to read and/or share your comments about today’s question or passage in the reply bar at the bottom of the page. Let’s spur one another on to love and good deeds.
5 Dear friend, you demonstrate faithfulness by whatever you do for the brothers (even though they are strangers). 6 They have testified to your love before the church.You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they have gone forthon behalf of “The Name,” accepting nothing from the pagans. 8 Therefore weought to support such people, so that we become coworkers in cooperation with the truth.
Question of the day: Where do you find your greatest joy? To encourage others and help us grow in our faith and understanding please be sure to read and/or share your comments about today’s question or passage in the reply bar at the bottom of the page. Let’s spur one another on to love and good deeds.
1 From the elder, to Gaius my dear brother, whom I love in truth 2 Dear friend, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, just as you are living according to the truth.
4 I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are living according to the truth.
Question for thought and for reply: Why do you think John would rather have visited them than write to them? To encourage others and help us grow in our faith and understanding please be sure to read and/or share your comments about today’s passage or the above question in the reply bar at the bottom of the page. Let’s spur one another on to love and good deeds.
9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not remain in the teaching of Christdoes not have God. The one who remains in this teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house and do not give him any greeting, 11 because the person who gives him a greeting shares in his evil deeds.
Conclusion12 Though I have many other things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink,but I hope to come visit you and speak face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
To encourage others and help us grow in our faith and understanding please be sure to read and/or share your comments about today’s passage in the reply bar at the bottom of the page. Let’s spur one another on to love and good deeds.
The Reading Plan and Focus/Memory Verse are pictured above. This week’s challenge: Who are some people in your life who demonstrate faithfulness? What types of things do they do for the church? What can you do to support them this week? Take action this week to support those in your life who are the hands and feet of Jesus and who demonstrate great faithfulness.
Warning Against False Teachers 5 But now I ask you, lady (not as if I were writing a new commandment to you, but the one we have had from the beginning), thatwe love one another. 6 (Now this is love: that we walk according to His commandments.) This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning; thusyou should walk in it. 7 Formany deceivers have gone out into the world, people who do not confess Jesus as Christ coming in the flesh. This person is the deceiver and the antichrist! 8 Watch out, so that you do not lose the things we have worked for,but receive a full reward.
NEW: Prayer Focus for this week – Spend time praying for your church.
