“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Hebrews 10:19-25 (ESV)

 

[Jesus praying for his Church before arrest] I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Matthew 17: 20-23 (NRSV)

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AUGUST 7, 2025

I am an introvert. I will be honest with you: at times in my faith journey I wished I could sit in a lovely room with a cup of hot coffee or tea, my Bible and journal, and have one on one quality time with God—and that’s it. That would be the extent of my faith life.  

But while it is good to have time alone with God on a regular basis, choosing only solitude over community is not what God wants for us (or me!).  

Life in Christian community is messy. It can be awkward, complicated, painful, and confusing. It can be lonely or overwhelming. It can be so rewarding and so disappointing. It’s hard work but it is what God wants for us, and it is where His presence dwells.  

We cannot do this life alone. If we try to live our faith on our own, without the Body of Christ, we won’t make it. Life is too hard, too overwhelming. We need to hold on to each other. We need to encourage each other to keep holding on to Christ.  

I have watched relatives and friends fall away from the faith. Sometimes I wonder if I could have done more to hold on to them, if I could have done more to encourage them. If I could have loved them better. When my own faith was at a dangerously low point and I wasn’t sure I was going to make it, it was the Body of Christ that carried me through it: through prayers, listening ears, presence, support.  

Today there are people in our lives struggling in their faith. How are we going to encourage them?  

Questions for reflection and discussion:  

  • Who has encouraged you in your faith. Spend some time praying for them and thanking God for them.  
  • Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to pray for someone who may be struggling. In what practical ways can you hold on to them?  

 Church Reading Plan: Judges 21; Acts 25