We invite Y'all to Roam on Through Romans with us this summer!!

This summer we are challenging you to join us on a journey to Roam on through Romans in July and August (works out to aprox 7 verses per day).

Why is reading your Bible is so important? Click Here

What does this challenge mean? If you accept our challenge please just join in! Invite friends to join with you so you can run the marathon together. Then print out the printable checklist that you can tuck into your Bible to help keep you on track.

Click Here to get the printable File

We are asking you to either find an accountability partner to check in with each day OR to be willing to commit to commenting on our daily posting about the daily reading.

Why is accountability important? Click Here

Please keep all comments respectful. We want to remember that each of us is at a different place in our walk with God. This is a place for us to share openly about what has been revealed to us as we open up God's word and to learn from others. Please take every opportunity possible to build each other up in love :-)

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Day 30 - Hebrews 13:21 - 13:25

Recap from yesterday's post:

20 Now may the God of peace—
    who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
    and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—

Hebrews 13:21-25 

21 may he equip you with all you need
    for doing his will.
May he produce in you,
    through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
    All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.
22 I urge you, dear brothers and sisters, to pay attention to what I have written in this brief exhortation.

23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released from jail. If he comes here soon, I will bring him with me to see you.

24 Greet all your leaders and all the believers there. The believers from Italy send you their greetings.

25 May God’s grace be with you all.


Tori's Comments -

"may he equip you with all you need for doing his will" (vs. 21)

Like what? Is this referring to the fruits of the spirit, or spiritual gifts? How do you know God's will? 

Weird to end with more questions, but there it is! 

What I learned from Hebrews:

• We are freed from slavery of fear!!!
• We should not forget that the people around us don't know God's love
• 
  

via GIPHY

• We show our love for God by how we love others
• Even small, insignificant-seeming stories in the Old Testament point to Jesus (Melchi)
• Don't settle for chasing shadows instead of the real thing!!
• I'm guilt-free in Christ! 
• Faith inspires God's blessings
• I should get rid of anything holding me back from wholeheartedly pursuing Christ
• We aren't focused on the here and now, but the eternal.

Thanks for reading along with us! Please share if you have learned anything throughout Hebrews, or if it was just me. (I really hope not.)

Terrie's Comments - 

As you have read Hebrews with us I hope that you have come away confident in the hope that we have in Jesus Christ.  We are not alone in this we have the Holy Spirit to give us power and to counsel us every step of the way.  Jesus is interceding for us with the Father. And we also have ministering angels who take care of us as well.  

This road we walk here on earth will not be easy but it will have great rewards.  Perspective is everything.  We are looking forward to our heavenly home and our time here on earth is brief.  We must always keep in mind that no matter what happens here on earth the only thing that matters is that we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ.

This prayer is a perfect way to end our Hebrews challenge:

 Now may the God of peace—
    who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
    and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood-
may he equip you with all you need
    for doing his will.
May he produce in you,
    through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
    All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

Join us for our next challenge... we are planning to Roam on through Romans this summer... we hope you will join us!

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 29 - Hebrews 13:11 - 13:20

Hebrews 13:11-20

11 Under the old system, the high priest brought the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, and the bodies of the animals were burned outside the camp. 12 So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood. 13 So let us go out to him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace he bore. 14 For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.

15 Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. 16 And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

17 Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.

18 Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do. 19 And especially pray that I will be able to come back to you soon.

20 Now may the God of peace—
    who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
    and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—


Terrie's Comments - 

Do I act like am I willing to bear the disgrace that Jesus bore?  
Do I live like this world is not my permanent home?
Do I offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God?  
Do I proclaim allegiance to his name?
Do I do good and share with those in need?
Do I give my spiritual leaders reason to lead with joy or am I creating sorrow in their work?
Do I live honorably in everything I do?

These are the things that the writer of Hebrews is encouraging us to do continually.  To keep our eye's fixed on Jesus and he definitely has given plenty of reasons why to do it and examples of what it looks like to walk out our faith with no excuse.  So let us spur one another on as we walk this road together.  Jesus is definitely worth following each of us needs to decide for themselves if the sacrifice of following Jesus is worth it to them.

A question I ask myself frequently is "am I honoring God?"  It is a question that keeps me in check and reminds me that no matter how noble or how "right" it feels if it doesn't line up with God's word then it doesn't honor God and it should not be the choice I choose.



Tori's Comments - 

My facebook feed is currently filled with political posts. Instead of getting riled up, I have to remind myself that this world is not my real home. While we should fight for the helpless and voiceless, I also think we fight just because we want to be right. Looking at comments on certain posts definitely shows this. I have to constantly remind myself that the right here and now is temporary. God is my focus, and He is eternal.

I find vs 17 really interesting. Another topic that has really piqued my interest lately is worship. It's a recurring theme in the bible, and I like this perspective that proclaiming Christ's name, not being ashamed of who saved you, is a sacrifice to God. And the same goes for denying yourself to love someone...it's a beautiful perspective we get to have. (Although, admittedly, sometimes a hard one.)

Last note- in verse 18, the writer's main desire is to live honorably. Is that mine?


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 28 - Hebrews 13:1 - 13:10

Hebrews 13:1-10 

13 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. 2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! 3 Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.

4 Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.

5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,

“I will never fail you.
    I will never abandon you.”
6 So we can say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper,
    so I will have no fear.
    What can mere people do to me?”
7 Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.

10 We have an altar from which the priests in the Tabernacle have no right to eat.


Tori's Comments - 

So, Hebrews is coming to a close. I always love reading the last few comments, the last few reminders the author gives. It's like he's trying to sum up the most important things.

And the first one? "Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters."

Unity in the church is so important. 

I also love what is said about empathy for our brothers and sisters in vs. 3. That's something that, especially today, is necessary with all of the Christian persecution going on around the world.

Vs 8 is beautiful.

Vs. 9 is important. My strength doesn't come from legalism or endless rules, but God alone.


Terrie's Comments - 

We have an helper.
We need to keep perspective... what can mere people do to us?  We need to fear God more than what people think about us.
It is important that since Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever that we can look to all who came before us and learn from their examples of faith and how God moved.  When we rely on God He will move the same way he did since he doesn't change.

I am glad that we aren't called to follow food rules anymore and that my strength doesn't come from what I eat or do not eat but from God alone.


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 27 - Hebrews 12:21 - 12:29

Hebrews 12:21-29 

21 Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, “I am terrified and trembling.”

22 No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. 23 You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. 24 You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.

25 Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! 26 When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” 27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.

28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 29 For our God is a devouring fire.


Terrie's Comments -

God has not changed.  
The blood Jesus shed for us speaks of forgiveness.  The innocent blood that cried out before that needed vengeance.  Jesus doesn't ask for vengeance against those who killed him.  He offers forgiveness for all... including the ones who killed him both directly and indirectly.
The only way we can be destroyed is by refusing to listen to Jesus Christ, like the Israelites refused to listen to Moses.
I need to remind myself often that I am to live my life thankful for what God has for me.  We please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe... we need to keep a holy perspective of God.


Tori's Comments - 

Okay, so I feel tired of loving people very often. The best cure, for me, is a reminder of how much Jesus loves me, how much He did for me. It certainly helps get me on my feet to help others.

How do we know God is speaking? I also feel like I keep asking the same questions over and over again, just waiting for an answer.


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 26 - Hebrews 12:11 - 12:20

Hebrews 12:11-20 

11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. 16 Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. 17 You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears.

18 You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai. 19 For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking. 20 They staggered back under God’s command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”


Tori's Comments - 

Sorry, but I'm getting a certatin vibe from all of this:


via GIPHY

I never associated the word work with Christianity.

I like to think of words like freedom and love instead.

But turns out, loving people is work.

We have to work at being in peace with everyone. Doing the right thing can be hard. And I rarely want to choose someone else over myself. 

But that's just what Christ did, and now us.


Terrie's Comments - 

We are to do this with purpose!  Marking out our path to be sure it remains straight.  We are to regain our focus, re-grip the rope, gather our strength again and keep on moving.  We are to run this race together and look after each other so that we are not alone.  If we stick close enough together and protect each other the weeds will get choked out.  

Our lives should be set apart... Holy... different than the world.  We are ambassadors for Jesus and our lives should represent the Heavenly kingdom we belong to.  Our goal is to make heaven attractive to many so that they will want to come with us.  

I think it is intriging to think that the writer refers to bitterness as a poisonous root that will grow up to trouble us and cause trouble for many.  As Christians we are suppose to forgive unconditionally... we don't have the option to hold onto bitterness.  




Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 25 - Hebrews 12:1 - 12:10

Hebrews 12:1-10 

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,

“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
    and don’t give up when he corrects you.
6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
    and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?

10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.


Terrie's Comments - 

This passage definitely makes it sound like it is so easy to strip off "every weight"  ESPECIALLY the SIN that SO EASILY TRIPS US UP!  Notice the key... WE DO THIS BY KEEPING OUR EYES on JESUS!  Simple right?  I am sure that if it was the "in thing to do" we would have no problem keeping our eyes fixed there... but sadly it is more cool to "dis" Jesus than to keep Him in a place of honor.  We need to find people to run the race with that will help us run the race with endurance and finish well!!

let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.

Tori's Comments -

Sin only hinders us. It's nothing compared to what Christ can give us. Let's see if I can ingrain that on my memory.

More of the 'keeping your eyes on Jesus'. Although after the first verse in this section, I have a better idea of what it means. Checking myself for anything that's holding me back from fully pursuing God. Terrie challenged me not that long ago to a book fast, and it has definitely made me realize my little hobby of reading was becoming a focus of my life. An unhealthy one. I also go on social media fasts because I spent countless hours scrolling for ABSOLUTELY NO REASON. At the time it seems important, but in hindsight I learn absolutely nothing in that waste of time.

Those are two I can list off the top of my head that have been struggles for me. School work has also been something I give a lot more priority than it needs. It's all about moderation.

I feel like listing these as I go through the day. What am I constantly thinking about?

Anything that you guys have struggled with concerning where your focus is?

These days Tori, I wrestle with my attitude and my pride and my stubbornness and the need for perfection.  They get in the way of having the best relationships I can have with those people that are closest to me.  Sorry to anyone that has met up with my ugly side.  I am working on it.  I need to push myself out of my comfort zone more.  I haven't died from my faith yet so the race isn't over yet.  Let's keep pushing on until the end together okay!


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 24 - Hebrews 11:31 - 11:40

Hebrews 11:31-40 

31 It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

32 How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. 33 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. 35 Women received their loved ones back again from death.

But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. 36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. 38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. 40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.


Tori's Comments -

By faith we receive what God has promised us. 

I really like this section. Especially near the middle when he begins listing all the things God has done through man.

I feel... I feel...



via GIPHY

If God is for us, who can be against us?

I just have to have faith.

Terrie's Comments - 

Clearly living by faith is not necessarily and easy life this side of heaven.  It is living keeping your focus on what is to come.  Knowing that what we have been promised is worth anything we go through or have to sacrifice here on earth for the sake of our faith in Jesus Christ.  So where is my focus?




Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 23 - Hebrews 11:21 - 11:30

Hebrews 11:21-30 

21 It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff.

22 It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt. He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left.

23 It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command.

24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. 27 It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. 28 It was by faith that Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons.

29 It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were all drowned.

30 It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down.


Terrie's Comments - 

More examples of how faith is powerful only when people of God act on what He says to them.  It is important to learn to listen to God's voice so you know what you need to act on.  The more time we spend meditating on God's word the easier it is to recognize His voice and drown out our fear.


Tori's Comments - 

I feel like verse 27 answers my question from yesterday a bit. "He kept his eyes on the one who is invisible." But how do we do that? How do we stay so focused on the reward God has promised?

I'm inspired, but at the same time uncertain of so much.

Ponder time again...

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 22 - Hebrews 11:11 - 11:20

Hebrews 11:11-20 

11 It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. 12 And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.

13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. 14 Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. 15 If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. 16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

17 It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, 18 even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” 19 Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.

20 It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau.


Tori's Comments - 

"who was as good as dead" BAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA that's hilarious.

If I tried describing someone that way, they would smack me. Maybe if I told them I was quoting the bible. Of course, I need to meet someone close to one hundred first, but...

Terrie, when you are old, be ready. 

What I'm getting from all this is that faith inspires God's blessings. Without faith, He won't bless us. It also makes me think of James 1:6-7 where he says, "But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. He will not receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."

Sadly enough, the second verse sounds more like me than the first.

A big thing I'm learning from this whole study is that when you really meditate on scriptures, they can strip you raw and bring up problems in your life you didn't know you had.

I like that God is chiseling at me, but it's beginning to hurt.

My question is how you hear God. Obviously these biblical people God chose to work through knew what God was going to do through them. How are you so fine-tuned with the Holy Spirit that you know what He wants you to do?




Terrie's Comments - 

I want to focus on the middle of today's passage...

13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. 14 Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. 15 If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. 16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

I would love to say that my focus is not on things of this world.  I must admit all too often the things that knock me to my knees are because my focus has once again shifted to the things in the world and not on heavenly places.  I need to be reminded that it is okay to live like a nomad and a foreigner here on earth.  To not understand the customs of this world completely.  I am glad that I can enter the shelter of the throne room of my King at anytime boldly because I am an ambassador of the country that I am looking forward to.  It may be in the distance but I believe in the promise that I can look forward to a better place... my heavenly homeland because I have placed my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior and my High Priest.


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 21 - Hebrews 11:1 - 11:10

Hebrews 11:1-10 

11 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.

3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

4 It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.

5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

7 It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.

8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.


Terrie's Comments - 

We learn so much about faith through the passages we read in Hebrews.  

Hebrews 11:11 is a well known verse on faith - 
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see

God had faith forming the universe that we see out of what is not seen.  

Enoch trusted that if he diligently sought God that God would reward him.  (v6  And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.)  It always strikes me that it says it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God without faith.  It doesn't say it is hard it says you CANNOT please God without faith.  This whole chapter is all about faith and what it looks like in action.  Faith is an action.  Real faith requires action because if you believe that God is real and you believe that His word is true and you believe that He will do what He says He will do then you will live your life like you believe it.  All of the people mentioned in today's passage acted on God's word to them and it pleased God.  

What does my faith look like?  Is there anything that God has asked me to do that I have not acted on yet?  hmmmm something to think about... but not too long... perhaps it would be more appropriate to say hmmmm something to act on :-)   

Tori's Comments -

It's crazy to me just how much can be drawn from the Old Testament stories. How they're all a "shadow" of what's to come (I've been paying attention real well!).

And faith is such a hard topic for me. I can say that I know something without a doubt, but in reality, I'm just trying to ignore that twinge of fear inside. How do you get rid of that? How do you know something so completely and believe it 100 percent? I know that God created the whole world, that He gave Abraham a kid, that He was there with David when he threw the stone, that He did all those things through Elijah.

My real doubt is whether he can do those things through me. If I'm completely honest, I'm all too aware of how terrible a person I can be. And yes, I know that I can never out sin God's grace, but it's one of those 'know it in your head, not in your heart'. 

Just another dragon I have to slay. Actually, just another giant I have to slay. Anyone experience anything similar? 


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 20 - Hebrews 10:31 - 10:39

Hebrews 10:31-39 

31 It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32 Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. 33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. 34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.

35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

37 “For in just a little while,
    the Coming One will come and not delay.
38 And my righteous ones will live by faith.
    But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”
39 But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.


Tori's Comments - 
"You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever."
Wow. That in itself makes me feel like I could be doing better in my life. Complaining is worthless and a poor witness.
"confident trust"  People should walk away from me wondering why I'm never worried or complaining. Why I seem otherwordly :)


Terrie's Comments - 

Do not forget!  remember to live with the passion you had in the beginning when you first placed your life in the hands of Jesus.  That was many years ago for me... 35ish years.  I have had periods in my life where passion poured out... I do try to keep that passion forefront and center in my life.  What I need now is Patient Endurance so that I will continue to do God's will.  I definitely don't want to be in a place when Jesus returns where I am sitting in selfish pride and wanting it my way instead of God's way just because.  I don't want to be turned away.  I do want to be faithful until the end and not give up on the hope I have in Jesus Christ


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 19 - Hebrews 10:21 - 10:30

Hebrews 10:21-30 

21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

26 Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. 27 There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. 28 For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us. 30 For we know the one who said,

“I will take revenge.
    I will pay them back.”
He also said,

“The Lord will judge his own people.”


Terrie's Comments - 

If we understand fully the old covenant, the one which Jesus Christ fulfilled all requirements of at the cross on our behalf.  If we really get all that Jesus has saved us from and the hope that we have when we place total trust in what He did for us at Calvary. If we then choose to keep on doing things we know are against God's will then we are trampling on what Jesus did for us... spitting in His face.  If you know who God is and then choose to deliberately sin against Him it is like you are treating something so precious, so rare, so Holy like it is common place.  We are insulting the Holy Spirit who speaks to our mind and hearts about the things of God.  

God's mercy, Jesus Blood, and the Holy Spirit's personal witness are so precious and are to be treated with highest respect, honor and praise.  Let us not go to a place where they are taken for granted as common place in our lives.  Let us always honor God's ways above our own.


Tori's Comments - 
I find it interesting that he says we need to motivate one another to love and to do good. It almost makes me relieved that I'm not the only one who has trouble doing just that a lot of the time. And I mean a LOT of the time. But I know that joy spreads, it's contagious, and so is love. If it's stronger than hate, then I use that to fight back, but through conscientious choice. 


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 18 - Hebrews 10:11 - 10:20

Hebrews 10:11-20 

11 Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. 12 But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 13 There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. 14 For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.

15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says,

16 “This is the new covenant I will make
    with my people on that day, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
    and I will write them on their minds.”
17 Then he says,

“I will never again remember
    their sins and lawless deeds.”
18 And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.

19 And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place.


Tori's Comments - 
So many things sticking out to me in this passage. First, that we are being made holy, but we're also already perfect (vs. 14) because we're covered by Jesus's righteousness. This kind of confuses me. Am I right in thinking it's saying that once we are saved, God begins shaping us like Jesus? Or am I totally off?
Next. We can BOLDLY (vs. 19) talk to God and confess and be free of guilt because we know the truth. Also, that Jesus gives life and that we're lucky enough to be able to use the new way Jesus has opened (vs. 20). Haha, this part of my bible is so highlighted because of all the beautiful phrases I keep finding!



Terrie's Comments - 

I absolutely LOVE that this passage is so clear that Jesus has finished everything that needs to be done for us to enter boldly into the Most Holy Place... we, ourselves can enter without further sacrifice or shedding of anymore blood.  It has been finished.  There is no more need to offer anymore sacrifice.  It also states quite clearly that God will never again remember our lawlessness or our sinless deeds.... this is great news.  I know that I make mistakes on a daily basis and often fall short of God's perfection.  I love that I can enter His throne room boldly without guilt or shame and the slate is already clean before Him because I enter clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ alone.  


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 17 - Hebrews 10:1 - 10:10

Hebrews 10:1-10 

10 The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come, not the good things themselves. The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship. 2 If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared.

3 But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of their sins year after year. 4 For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 That is why, when Christ came into the world, he said to God,

“You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings.
    But you have given me a body to offer.
6 You were not pleased with burnt offerings
    or other offerings for sin.
7 Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God—
    as is written about me in the Scriptures.’”
8 First, Christ said, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were you pleased with them” (though they are required by the law of Moses). 9 Then he said, “Look, I have come to do your will.” He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect. 10 For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.

Terrie's Comments - 

Under the first covenant Guilt from sin was emphasized year after year.  They were reminded every year when they came to worship of the guilt.  Under the new covenant we are HOLY by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.  We are free from our guilt!  And again the writer says "He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second one into effect".  I don't think Hebrews can be any more clear that the first covenant isn't in effect anymore.  We are under a completely different covenant that is WAY BETTER.


Tori's Comments - 
"and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared" (vs.2) WHOAAAAA. So we should feel no guilt anymore, we're free from the law, from...everything that weighs us down despite our new life in Christ. That gives me such hope!! :)


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 16 - Hebrews 9:17 - 9:28

Hebrews 9:17-28 

17 The will goes into effect only after the person’s death. While the person who made it is still alive, the will cannot be put into effect.

18 That is why even the first covenant was put into effect with the blood of an animal. 19 For after Moses had read each of God’s commandments to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, and sprinkled both the book of God’s law and all the people, using hyssop branches and scarlet wool. 20 Then he said, “This blood confirms the covenant God has made with you.” 21 And in the same way, he sprinkled blood on the Tabernacle and on everything used for worship. 22 In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.

23 That is why the Tabernacle and everything in it, which were copies of things in heaven, had to be purified by the blood of animals. But the real things in heaven had to be purified with far better sacrifices than the blood of animals.

24 For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf. 25 And he did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal. 26 If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice.

27 And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, 28 so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.

Tori's Comments -
"This blood confirms the covenant God has made with you."
This is SO CRAZY how so much of the old testament points to Jesus. I've read Hebrews before, and studying it through it slowly has helped me to find gems like this. Wow.
"who are eagerly waiting for him"-I assume this is talking a lot about the hope we have as Christians, the promises God has given us about our future.


Terrie's Comments - 

I think we are all clear by now on the downfall of the old covenant and it's limitations, which were many.  I would like to go straight to the end of this passage today.

Jesus IS COMING BACK!  He is not coming back to deal with our sin.... did you catch that?  He has already dealt with our sins at the cross so they don't need to be dealt with again!  Praise God!  He is coming back to bring salvation to us, who are EAGERLY WAITING for Him!  He has already dealt with OUR SINS.... so we should be EAGERLY WAITING because we are not worried about being punished... Jesus has already taken all punishment for us!  

HALLELUJAH!  PRAISE THE LORD!  There is now no condemnation in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior! 

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

HALFWAY THERE!!!

HALFWAY THERE!!!

I keep bouncing between being happy and sad, but because we've all made it this far, I have a treat.

Are you ready?



I wrote a song for y'all (excuse my Texan)!

Now, this song just so happens to have the exact same tune as He Knows by Jeremy Camp. Just a coincidence, I'm sure, but here's that song so you can hear the beat:

The part that's so similar, the chorus, starts at about 42 seconds. 

And here are the lyrics so you can sing along:

He brews

He brews

Every coffee, every tea

When you're done you'll have to pee

He brews

*oh oh woah oh woah oh woah oh woah*

Of course, his chorus is longer than mine, but I went for a simpler and stronger message, you know?

15 MORE DAYS!!! We got this.

I LOVE that song Tori... Thank you for sharing :-)

Day 15 - Hebrews 9:6 - 9:16

Hebrews 9:6-16 

6 When these things were all in place, the priests regularly entered the first room as they performed their religious duties. 7 But only the high priest ever entered the Most Holy Place, and only once a year. And he always offered blood for his own sins and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. 8 By these regulations the Holy Spirit revealed that the entrance to the Most Holy Place was not freely open as long as the Tabernacle and the system it represented were still in use.

9 This is an illustration pointing to the present time. For the gifts and sacrifices that the priests offer are not able to cleanse the consciences of the people who bring them. 10 For that old system deals only with food and drink and various cleansing ceremonies—physical regulations that were in effect only until a better system could be established.

Christ Is the Perfect Sacrifice
11 So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. 12 With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.

13 Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. 14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. 15 That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.


16 Now when someone leaves a will, it is necessary to prove that the person who made it is dead.

Terrie's Comments -

The old covenant clearly had some limitations, and that is putting it lightly!

There is still a tabernacle which was raised up in heaven (probably on the third day after the death of Jesus like he said it would be) 

The old covenant was all about rules and regulations that dealt mainly with cleansing the outward man it didn't have the power to cleanse inside the heart of man.  But Jesus has secured our ETERNAL REDEMPTION.... how sweet it is :-) We are free and clear to worship the living God!  When Jesus died he set us free from ALL PENALTY of the sin under the first covenant... He fulfilled it ... It is PAID IN FULL!  

sidenote:  I think for our next challenge we will base our verse break down on more than just the numbers :-) 

Tori's Comments -

Again with the old system cleaning the outside and the new one cleaning the inside. WOOP WOOP.

Also- there's something about the assurance of 'forever' and 'eternal' and etc. that is repeated through this section and yesterday's. It's as if he's trying to get across that we shouldn't even worry about those things anymore (and we shouldn't). We're saved, we're loved and we're cleaned.

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 14 - Hebrews 8:9 - 9:5

Hebrews 8:9-9:5 

9 This covenant will not be like the one
    I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
    and led them out of the land of Egypt.
They did not remain faithful to my covenant,
    so I turned my back on them, says the Lord.
10 But this is the new covenant I will make
    with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their minds,
    and I will write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.
11 And they will not need to teach their neighbors,
    nor will they need to teach their relatives,
    saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’
For everyone, from the least to the greatest,
    will know me already.
12 And I will forgive their wickedness,
    and I will never again remember their sins.”
13 When God speaks of a “new” covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and will soon disappear.

Old Rules about Worship

9 That first covenant between God and Israel had regulations for worship and a place of worship here on earth. 2 There were two rooms in that Tabernacle. In the first room were a lampstand, a table, and sacred loaves of bread on the table. This room was called the Holy Place. 3 Then there was a curtain, and behind the curtain was the second room called the Most Holy Place. 4 In that room were a gold incense altar and a wooden chest called the Ark of the Covenant, which was covered with gold on all sides. Inside the Ark were a gold jar containing manna, Aaron’s staff that sprouted leaves, and the stone tablets of the covenant. 5 Above the Ark were the cherubim of divine glory, whose wings stretched out over the Ark’s cover, the place of atonement. But we cannot explain these things in detail now.

Tori's Comments -

Verse 13 definitely stuck out to me. I love all of the connections between the old testament and Jesus that I never caught, although I know there's probably still hundreds out there waiting for me to find. I really like the term 'out of date' when describing the old covenant. As if we should just not think about it because it's so irrelevant.  
What keeps popping in my head is that the old system only dealt with the exterior. The new one remodels the inside. And that fact should be such a source of joy for us, that we are made new in Christ. 
I keep finding these particular verses that give me such hope and happiness. I'm thinking I should write them on sticky notes or something and put them in places where I will see them daily. Kind of like an attitude pit stop.
I don't understand verse 11, though. Thoughts?

Terrie's Comments -

The law is now in our minds and written in our hearts.  I LOVE the verse Heb 8:10 in the last part where it says "I will be their God, and they will be my people." and the writer is clear that we KNOW God.  EVERYONE not just the priest or judge or prophet, like it was with the old covenant.  We do not need to be taught who God is because we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.  The old covenant is obsolete... out of date... is not like the new one.  So why is it that when God says that the old covenant was broken and obsolete that we want to hold onto it?

I believe one of the main reasons that the old covenant is obsolete is because it was made for worshiping our God who is in heaven from a tabernacle here on earth.  The new covenant gives us direct access to His heavenly throne room through the perfected work on the cross, therefore the old covenant is outdated.  It is valuable to know the old covenant to appreciate all that Jesus actually accomplished at the cross for us.  It is out of this knowledge that our praise and worship can rise to heaven freely because we realize that we truly have been set free from the old covenant and have a much better covenant in the new.


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 13 - Hebrews 7:27 - 8:8

Hebrews 7:27-8:8 

27 Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins. 28 The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever.

1 Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven. 2 There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands.

3 And since every high priest is required to offer gifts and sacrifices, our High Priest must make an offering, too. 4 If he were here on earth, he would not even be a priest, since there already are priests who offer the gifts required by the law. 5 They serve in a system of worship that is only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven. For when Moses was getting ready to build the Tabernacle, God gave him this warning: “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.”

6 But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.

7 If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second covenant to replace it. 8 But when God found fault with the people, he said:

“The day is coming, says the Lord,
    when I will make a new covenant

    with the people of Israel and Judah.

Terrie's Comments -
I think it is interesting that in the beginning of chapter 8 the writer finally gets to what he calls "the main point"

Don't miss it...
The old tabernacle was a copy of the real one
The old covenant wasn't perfect and needed to be replaced...
verse 7 is very clear that the second covenant that God made with His people replaces the first.  
The new covenant is carried out through the ministry of Jesus Christ, our High Priest and is FAR SUPERIOR to the old and we have BETTER PROMISES in it.

This just keeps getting better and better :-) 

We need to understand the old covenant to understand exactly why we needed the new covenant.  The law required sacrifice and blood.  When Jesus died as a perfect sacrifice the whole requirement of the law was fulfilled and it is no longer required.  We now have a new covenant which is way better and doesn't require any further sacrifices to be made.  It is bathed in grace, mercy and obtained by faith in Jesus alone.


Tori's Comments -

That explains the meticulous rules in the old testament about building regulations and such. They were only a "shadow" (vs. 5) of the real thing. I feel like sometimes I settle for a shadow of a relationship with God (I could be crazy-talking, who knows). Like only half praying, half pursuing God when what he wants for my life is to dig deep and live a life of abundance. I'm making myself miss out, chasing shadows instead of the real thing.
Ponder time.


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 12 - Hebrews 7:16 - 7:26

Hebrews 7:16-26 

16 Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. 17 And the psalmist pointed this out when he prophesied,

“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
18 Yes, the old requirement about the priesthood was set aside because it was weak and useless. 19 For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

20 This new system was established with a solemn oath. Aaron’s descendants became priests without such an oath, 21 but there was an oath regarding Jesus. For God said to him,

“The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow:
    ‘You are a priest forever.’”
22 Because of this oath, Jesus is the one who guarantees this better covenant with God.

23 There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. 24 But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. 25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.


26 He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.

Tori's Comments -

I never realized how Jesus not being a Levite could be considered a problem. But I get that Melky being a priest was super important, because it showed that priesthood was more than just lineage, that it could also be appointed by a life that cannot be destroyed.

"Therefore, he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him."
Duuuude.

"He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf."
Double duuuude.

Okay, so we are free from the law, following Jesus who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
And Melky's whole existence was a prophecy of what was to come.
Now if we are supposed to rest in Jesus......

does that mean....

we live in the Melky Way?

Okay, I'm sorry, don't be upset with me. I have been trying to fit that in somewhere since Melchy was introduced. It's out of my system now, I'll only focus on the Sun. I mean Son****

Feel free to correct me in the comments, I'm just trying to put together all the pieces.

Just know that so far, everything I've read has been out of this world. 


Terrie's Comments -

I absolutely LOVE that God made a better way... a way that has been perfected through Jesus Christ we can come to God completely blameless and without fear of being struck dead.  Under the old covenant the high priest would come into the Holy of Holy's once a year and if everything wasn't done just right he was struck dead.  Because we are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ who is perfectly holy we can enter that place boldly indeed!!

Jesus has been given the HIGHEST place of honor in heaven forever.  

And so yes Tori we live in a better way... like the Melchi way... which is indeed perfect and will never end because our High Priest Jesus Christ is interceding on our behalf forever.  I do believe that is better than a milky way anyday :-)  I am sure that resting in what Jesus has done for us already while eating a Milky way is totally okay with God :-)  Kind of like having a slurpee while reading Matthew 7:11... I digress... LOL  that is for another time!

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!