Father, even before I found my seat this morning, my journaling from yesterday has been weighing on my mind. We definitely must be ready to stand for You regardless of what the future may bring but it’s not just a tomorrow thing. It is a today thing, as well.

“So let us go out to him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace he bore. For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” Hebrews 13:13-14

Lord, in regards to this passage, my study Bible* stated, “The time [has] come for [us] to declare [our] loyalty to Christ above any loyalty, to choose to follow the Messiah whatever suffering that might entail. [We need] to move outside the safe confinement of [our] part, [our] traditions, and [our] ceremonies to live for Christ.”

I am perfectly content to stay where I am comfortable Lord, in my home and for that matter in the church. I have no problem saying, “Sure I’ll tell you about Jesus…just come in here where I am comfortable and safe. Uh…you can’t get here?  You’re scared to come in?  You’ve heard so many negative things about the “church” that you’d rather just not even bother?…oh…well, we are in a pickle aren’t we?”

I realize that not everyone is going to come where I am most comfortable. But am I willing to “go out to him”? Am I willing to “bear the disgrace that You bore, Jesus?  Of course, being willing and actually going are two totally separate things. But as I’ve been made aware – “The time has come” to take action.  Lord, enable me to do what needs to be done, for You want me to not come alone to that “home yet to come.”

July 15th, Fri, 6:20 am