August 10 | Hebrews 10:24-25, Psalm 1:1-3, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

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DAILY READING

Hebrews 10:24-25

Psalm 1:1-3 2 Timothy 3:16-17

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REFLECTION

 Go Team Go!

By Elaine Pierce

I did not play team sports growing up, but all of our children played lots of sports -baseball, soccer, swimming, cross country, even a couple of seasons of wrestling. Yes, the individual 'personal records' were important, but much more satisfying was winning as a team. Except for swimming, I knew next to nothing about the rest of the sports they played, but I did know that I could encourage them from the sidelines. My daughter told me once that she could always hear me, even in a crowd (I have one of those voices that carries well). I couldn't give my kids coaching advice, but I could be a positive influence.

Today's three scripture passages reflect how we can make a difference for our fellow Christians:

spur one another on toward love and good works (Hebrews 10:24)

delight in the law of the Lord (Psalm 1:2)

a man of God is thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17)

How do you encourage your brothers and sisters to 'love and good works?' First, steep yourself in scripture so you recognize what is good, what is true, what is just. Pray for others. I have a friend who tells me that he prays weekly for my adult children's faith. He probably has no idea how much that means to me. (I'm making a note as I type this to thank him for his faithful prayers.) Every week after our small group is finished, one of the members of the group thanks me for the time I spend preparing and leading. I used to deflect her thanks, but I am recognizing how much it means that she appreciates our group and our discussions.

God created us to live in community. Community can be messy and broken, and we all know of examples of how Christians can hurt one another. When a Christian leader fails, it is easy for those on the outside looking in to say 'those Christian hypocrites. They say one thing and do another.' Yes, we are sinful, but what an opportunity we have to support and encourage one another to love and good works.

I may not have played sports, and you may be an Olympic-level athlete, but we both have in common the desire to please the Lord, despite our sin and failures. Take heart as you read Hebrews 12:1, and get ready to encourage those who are in this faith journey with you:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus....

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for the people in my life who have encouraged me to good works in your name. Help me today and each day to spur others on to love and good works. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELAINE PIERCE

It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!