October 6-10

Full Access: What We Should Remember

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus.” – Hebrews 10:19 ESV

A few years back, a man in New York accidentally wandered into a private staff-only entrance at Madison Square Garden. He thought he had found a shortcut to his seat, but instead, he ended up in the locker room hallway. Security quickly escorted him out. He later joked, “Apparently, my ticket didn’t include full access.” Isn’t that just like life? We think we have special access, but unless we’re qualified, the doors remain closed.

That’s the reality the writer of Hebrews addresses. Under the old covenant, no one had “full access” to God’s presence. Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and even then, only once a year and with the blood of a sacrifice. The people could only watch from a distance. However, verse 19 reminds us of what we must remember: through Jesus’ blood, we now have confidence to enter the holy places. This is not about sneaking in; it’s about being welcomed in.

Never forget that your access to God is not based on your performance but on Christ’s perfect sacrifice. Remember that you don’t need a priest, a ritual, or a special place to approach God. You have full access to the Father, always.

Reflection Questions:
1. Do you live with the awareness that you can enter God’s presence at any time?
2. What barriers keep you from taking advantage of that access?

Prayer:
 Lord, thank You for tearing down the veil and giving me full access through Jesus. Help me never take it for granted. Amen.

What We Have Received

“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.” – Hebrews 10:20–21 ESV

Years ago, a dad bought his daughter a brand new phone. He gave it to her and said, “This comes with unlimited calls.” She gasped and asked, “Unlimited? Like, forever?” He nodded. Later, she admitted, “I’ve only called you once in two weeks because I don’t want to waste the unlimited minutes.” She didn’t understand what she had received!

Many Christians are like that daughter; we don’t realize the magnitude of what we’ve received in Christ. Hebrews says we now have a new and living way into God’s presence, opened through Jesus’ flesh, and we have a great priest who represents us before God. This isn’t limited, temporary, or fragile; it’s permanent and alive. Under the old system, access was limited and fading. Now, through Christ, the way is always open.

What have we received? Not religion, but relationship. Not rituals, but reality. We have Jesus Himself, the great High Priest, continually interceding on our behalf. Why settle for scraps when God has given us the banquet of His presence?

Reflection Questions:
1. How often do you stop to consider what Christ has already given you?
2. Do you approach prayer as a duty or a privilege of what you’ve received in Jesus?

Prayer:
 Father, thank You for the new and living way. Help me appreciate the gift of access and the presence of Jesus every day. Amen.

Draw Near

“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.” – Hebrews 10:22 ESV

When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, people from East and West Germany rushed across the once heavily guarded border. For years, barbed wire, guard towers, and armed soldiers stood in the way. But suddenly, the barriers were gone, and people ran into the streets crying, hugging, and celebrating freedom. They finally had access to what had been forbidden.

This is the picture Hebrews gives us: the wall of separation between us and God has been torn down. Jesus’ sacrifice has cleansed us, removing every barrier. That’s why the author tells us to draw near not cautiously, but with confidence and assurance. Our conscience is clean, not because of what we’ve done, but because of Christ’s finished work.

Instead of living at a distance from God, you can draw near daily. Your prayers don’t bounce off the ceiling; they go directly to the throne. Like those Germans rushing through the open wall, you are free to run into God’s presence.

Reflection Questions:
1. What does “drawing near” to God look like in your daily life?

2. Are there sins or doubts that still make you hesitant to come close to Him?

Prayer:
 Lord, thank You that the wall of separation is gone. Help me to draw near to You with a true heart, trusting fully in Your grace. Amen.

Hold Fast

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23 ESV

During the Great Fire of London, Samuel Pepys, a government official, wrote in his diary how people clung desperately to whatever they valued most. Some tried to save gold, others their family heirlooms. But the ones who truly survived were those who held fast to life itself and left everything else behind. They knew what mattered most.

Hebrews 10:23 reminds us to hold fast, not to wealth, comfort, or fleeting security but to the confession of our hope in Christ. Why? Because the One who promised is faithful. Our grip may weaken, but His grip never does. The call is not to muster up perfect strength, but to cling to the promises of God without letting go, knowing He won’t let go of us.

Storms will come, doubts will rise, and trials will shake us. But when we hold fast to Christ’s promises, we find security. Don’t let discouragement, fear, or culture loosen your grip. He is faithful, and His Word never fails.

Reflection Questions:
1. What promise of God do you need to hold fast to today?
2. When have you experienced God’s faithfulness in keeping His Word?

Prayer:
Faithful God, strengthen my grip on Your promises. Help me to trust Your Word and cling to Christ in every storm. Amen.

Stir Up

“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 10:24–25

A pastor once asked his congregation, “What’s the hardest part of stirring others up to love and good works?” One man yelled, “Waking them up!” Everyone laughed, but there’s truth in it. Sometimes we treat church like a nap zone instead of a rally point. Stirring up takes energy; it’s about poking, prodding, and motivating each other to keep going.

The writer of Hebrews tells us that encouragement isn’t optional; it’s essential. Left alone, we drift, grow cold, or get distracted. But when we meet together, we spark something in one another. The phrase “stir up” literally means to provoke, like stirring embers in a dying fire until flames rise again. As the Day of Christ’s return draws near, we need this more than ever.

Church isn’t about consuming; it’s about contributing. We don’t just gather to receive but to stir others toward love and good works. Who have you encouraged this week? Who have you reminded that the Day is near? Don’t underestimate the eternal impact of a word of encouragement.

Reflection Questions:
1. How can you be intentional in stirring someone else toward love this week?
2. What holds you back from actively encouraging others in your faith community?

Prayer:
Lord, help me to stir others toward love and good works. Make me an encourager, someone who lifts others closer to You as we wait for Your return. Amen.