Now, when sins have once been forever forgiven and forgotten, there is no need to offer more sacrifices to get rid of them. And so, dear brothers, now we may walk right into the very Holy of Holies where God is, because of the blood of Jesus. This is the fresh, new, life-giving way which Christ has opened up for us by tearing the curtain - His human body - to let us into the holy presence of God. So let us come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive His mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need. Wait for the Lord's help. Be strong and brave and wait for the Lord's help. Yes, be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. The wicked flee when no one is chasing them! But the godly are bold as lions!

   Through Christ, God made peace between us and Himself. And God gave us the work of bringing everyone into peace with Him. I mean that God was in Christ, making peace between the world and Himself. In Christ, God did not hold the world guilty of its sins. And He gave us this message of peace.

   Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him Who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

   I want to remind you to stir into flame the strength and boldness that is in you, that entered into you when I laid my hands upon your head and blessed you. For the Holy Spirit, God's gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them. If you will stir up this inner power, you will never be afraid to tell others about our Lord . . .

   [When the believers were being persecuted, the apostles prayed for boldness:] ". . . and now, O Lord, hear their threats, and grant to your servants great boldness in their preaching, and send Your healing power, and may miracles and wonders be done by the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." After this prayer, the building where they were meeting shook and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and boldly preached God's message.

Taken from Heb. 10, 4, Ps. 27, Josh. 1, Pr. 28, II Cor. 5, II Tim. 1, Acts 4,
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