What is Expected of YOU & ME—brothers and sisters in Christ?

• Are we the kind of people who wake up with a purpose?
• Are we the type of individuals who arise with a single focus?
• Are we considering what God would have for this day EVEN BEFORE the daylight comes?
• Where would we rate our servanthood to the LORD on a scale of 1—to—10?
• Would we fall in the middle as mediocre or (heaven-forbid) on the left as servant only to our own selves?
• Would we take a bold stand on the right side of the scale (as the Lord desires) and be “Sold Out for Christ” doing, going, saying, being, ALL THAT GOD INTENDS FOR US TO BE?

Yes, without a doubt, the author of the book of Hebrews challenges us to consider the question:  What is Expected of YOU & ME—brothers and sisters in Christ?

Recently, I enjoyed the pleasure of attending the funeral visitation and service of a brother-in-Christ.  It was a happy affair, one where there were tears for the loss that we felt within our hearts but also one where there were smiles on our faces for the joy we knew Randy was experiencing when Jesus took him home.

• A Vietnam veteran.
• “He’s been a Wonderful Husband,” his bride Margaret said.
• An Educator & Coach.
• An avid Sportsman.
• A Lover and Worker on the Family Farm.
• A Grandson, Son, Brother, Uncle, Husband, Father, & Poppy.
• A Teacher of Truth.
• An Encourager & A Ready Smile.
• A Quiet Man Who Spoke Volumes.
• A Gentle Man Who Was Truly a Giant of a Man.

When speaking of my plans for the weekend, I found myself saying, “It’s so wonderful to attend the funeral of a fellow-believer,” and that statement is so true.  As I shared time with Randy’s family at his home and then at the church, and then we sat there in the sanctuary experiencing his farewell from this earth (that which we call—a funeral), I found myself overjoyed with the idea that Randy was going home to heaven & that someday I would too!

Therefore—

1. Let us eagerly approach GOD with a sincere heart, one who walks through this life in full assurance of our faith.
2. Let us recall how our hearts have been sprinkled clean from what it was before our moment of salvation.
3. Let us remember how once we were consumed by an evil conscience, but now our bodies have been washed cleaned with pure water of CHRIST JESUS.
4. Let us walk as faithful stewards of that which has been entrusted to us (the GOSPEL Message of JESUS) as we hold firmly to the confession, to the reason we have hope.
5. Let us never waver because those who do not yet know JESUS are watching, looking at our lives, trying to see where our HOPE comes from & why we walk in the confidence of JESUS—who GOD promised—Is Faithful!
6. Let us consider how we are to encourage one another in acts of love and through the good the HOLY SPIRIT leads us to do.
7. Never let us abandon our meeting together as the family of GOD because in gathering, we can encourage one another to continue walking in FAITH because the day of JESUS’ return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10: 18-25 NASB)