On an earlier episode of Insight for Living,

Chuck Swindall described an awkward moment on the slopes of Colorado.

For the first time in his life, he clumsily strapped on a pair of skis

and tried to stay vertical on his descent down the mountain.

Fortunately, a patient instructor coached his every move, adding verbal reinforcement along the way.

Well, today, on Insight for Living, Chuck draws from this personal story to demonstrate the power

of praise. Constant criticism knocks us down. Affirmation lifts us up. So let's consider

the biblical model in Hebrews chapter 10.

Today I want to talk about encouragement. The basis of this message is in Hebrews chapter 10

verses 19 through 25 now this letter is written obviously to Hebrews that's why it bears that

name Jews in the first century if you read letter carefully, you'll see that these were Jews

bruised by adversity. Persecution was running rampant. These were people who were drifting from the

faith. They were defeated. Many of them had already defected.

In verses 19, down through 25, the writer describes to these hurting Jews what they have,

as well as what they are to do.

Verse 19, since therefore brethren, see these were Christians, brothers and sisters in the family,

brethren, since therefore we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way which Jesus inaugurated for us through the veil, that is his flesh.

And since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us do several things. First, what do we have?

First, we have confidence to approach God.

See it in verse 19?

We have confidence to enter the holy place.

How could we have such confidence because of the blood of Jesus?

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