Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - "A Tribute To Perserance" – Friday, 14 November 2014 - Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-39

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - "A Tribute To Perserance" – Friday, 14 November 2014 - Scripture: Hebrews 10: Don’t Throw It All Away
19-21 So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into “the Holy Place.” Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The “curtain” into God’s presence is his body.
22-25 So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.
26-31 If we give up and turn our backs on all we’ve learned, all we’ve been given, all the truth we now know, we repudiate Christ’s sacrifice and are left on our own to face the Judgment—and a mighty fierce judgment it will be! If the penalty for breaking the law of Moses is physical death, what do you think will happen if you turn on God’s Son, spit on the sacrifice that made you whole, and insult this most gracious Spirit? This is no light matter. God has warned us that he’ll hold us to account and make us pay. He was quite explicit: “Vengeance is mine, and I won’t overlook a thing” and “God will judge his people.” Nobody’s getting by with anything, believe me.
32-39 Remember those early days after you first saw the light? Those were the hard times! Kicked around in public, targets of every kind of abuse—some days it was you, other days your friends. If some friends went to prison, you stuck by them. If some enemies broke in and seized your goods, you let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn’t touch your real treasure. Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back. So don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion.
It won’t be long now, he’s on the way;
    he’ll show up most any minute.
But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust;
    if he cuts and runs, I won’t be very happy.
But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.
"A Tribute To Perserance" by David J. Felter
If you’ve ever listened to gospel music, there is a good chance you’ve listened to the music of Andraé Crouch. He wrote songs like, “Soon and Very Soon,” “My Tribute (To God be the Glory),” and “I’ve Got Confidence.”
Gospel music devotees have heard many artists perform Crouch’s songs–musicians like Elvis Presley, The Imperials, The Winans, and many others have offered their versions of his contributions. Local church musicians often lead worshipers into a spirited singing of “My Tribute.”
However, few of the people who embrace his music realize that Andraé Crouch is dyslexic–words and sentences did not come easily to him. In order to write his songs and express his feelings, Crouch drew pictures to express the meaning of the words. From the rich imagery of his vivid pictures, deeply meaningful songs were born.
Crouch wrote “My Tribute” as a young man, but didn’t feel that his work was worthy of review. Eventually, his sister Sandra found it and helped him release it.
It’s too soon to quit or give up on yourself. Persevere. God can take what looks like mistakes and turn them into triumphs.
Hymn for Today:

"Sweet by-and-by" by Sanford F. Bennett
1. There’s a land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see it afar;
For the Father waits over the way
To prepare us a dwelling place there.
Refrain:
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.
Refrain:
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.
2. We shall sing on that beautiful shore
The melodious songs of the blessed;
And our spirits shall sorrow no more,
Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.
Refrain:
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.
3. To our bountiful Father above,
We will offer our tribute of praise
For the glorious gift of His love
And the blessings that hallow our days.

Thought for Today:

“Let me shout God’s name with a praising song,
Let me tell his greatness in a prayer of thanks."(Psalm 69:30).
Prayer Needs:
For extension education in Mesoamerica.
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