AtACrossroads.net Weekly Bible Reading Devotional
Day 1 – Read Hebrews 10:32 – 11:2
Much of the purpose Hebrews was written was to warn these very first Christians not to fall away in their faith. There are some stern warnings throughout the book, as well as a lot of convincing evidence for why they should keep their faith in Jesus, not reverting back to Judaism and/or succumbing to the persecution they were experiencing. 10:32 – 11:2 provides the lead-up to a list of Old Testament people who kept their faith through many trials. In this lead-up, the author uses these first Christians’ (Whom he is writing to) own faith experiences to remind them of God’s faithfulness to them in the past as a way of encouraging them to keep their faith through the current trials they were facing. Take time today to list out times in your life that God has been faithful to you in your past. Use these to strengthen your faith today and be reminded of God’s faithfulness.
Day 2 – Read Hebrews 11:1-16
After listing out early Old Testament people who showed exemplary examples of faith in their lives, v.13-16 make the point that when these people had died, none of them had received the things they had been promised yet. This is referring specifically to the coming of Jesus as Messiah, as well as their eternal home in heaven (v.16, a heavenly country). Rather than calling God unfaithful and looking only at this “country” that you can see with your eyes, look forward to the heavenly country and the city he’s preparing for you. Praise him for his faithfulness along with your brothers and sisters of faith who have gone before you and are now waiting for you to join them!
Day 3 – Read Hebrews 11:17-31
Two key examples of faith are mentioned in this section of verses: Abraham and Moses. Both men were far from perfect as the Bible records many instances of their lack of faith, but notice how their instances of faith trump their instances of lack of faith. They are only remembered by God for the faith they showed. Rather than dwell on your doubts or the times you have lost faith, use the examples of Abraham, Moses, et al. to be reminded of how faithful God has been for so long and how your faith in him is preserved by him. Pray that God will give you perseverance and courage the way he did those in today’s text (see Day 5 & bonus reading below for further reading on these people from the Old Testament).
Day 4 – Read Hebrews 11:32-40
Here the author of Hebrews gives special attention to those martyred (killed) and tortured because of their faith. Use the examples of the scores of martyrs that have gone before you (And those being persecuted and martyred today), people who have literally died to preserve our faith through trials, to encourage you to keep your faith strong through the trials you are facing today.
Day 5 – Read Romans 4:11-12, 16; Galatians 3:7, 9, 29; Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 18:11-12; Genesis 22 on Abraham. Read Exodus 2-3 on Moses.
12.22.13 Hebrews Series: Perfect from Lansing Crossroads Church on Vimeo.
He is:
Author of Beyond the Battle: A man's guide to his identity in Christ in an oversexualized world
Host of the The Flip Side Podcast
Join an online men's small group led by Noah and team at BeyondTheBattle.net
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