Blessed Lord of life, pour out Your grace on the daily walk of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Here is our text for today: Hebrews 13: 1 Let mutual love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. 4 Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you." 6 So we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?" 7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 15 Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
This is a short, but very powerful passage of Scripture. The instructions found in it could be the basis of many a sermon. Let us take it as a whole for this morning's devotional. The central theme of Jesus' teaching, in fact, His new Commandment is stressed in the first verse: Love one another. Love even those you don't know, especially the ones who don't look like you, talk, walk, dress, eat like you; you might even be talking to an angel without you even knowing it. Remember those who are in jail; another of Jesus' closing teachings in Matthew (25:36). Our aim in life should be spiritual, not material. By the same token seek pleasure in the spirit not in the flesh - stay away from illicit sex. If Christ lives in us, take Him to where He leads, not to where we think we can leave Him outside or at home while we have our fun. Be bold in your Christian walk and life. Pray for your pastoral leaders and spiritual teachers; follow the example of those who have blessed you. Verse 8 is my favorite verse in this entire passage, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." The sameness of Christ refers to His power, peace, protection, grace, and love. We have the same Jesus Christ present that did Peter, Andrew, James, John, Mary, Mary Magdelene, et al. Let our lives reflect the sacrifice of Jesus in our praise and let our voices tell of God's goodness and glory. The passage closes with where John Wesley surely got his three simple rules: Do no harm. Do all the good you can. Stay in love with God.
PRAYER: Loving God, speak to my heart again and again with Your goodness, and allow my life and lips to speak of Your goodness to all. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
