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Hear the devotional here: https://bit.ly/3pCYmqw
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. (Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 New Revised Standard Version Bible)
Love is a powerful, wonderful force. Newborn babies feel it and need it. Newlyweds feel it and blame it for having them walk down the aisle! Not like a video I saw where the husband was talking to the screen, "Hey brother, run! It's not too late!" The wife dressing in front of the dresser asks, "Is that a horror movie you're watching?" And walks to the screen and then shoves the husband as she exclaims, "That's our wedding video!" Humor is a part of love. (Isn't it?). When I was a campus minister in the 1980s I taught a class called The Bible in Everyday Living, and as a part of the course I added Leo Buscaglia's Book, "Love." Dr. Buscaglia stated he felt the need to write the book because there was no book at that time on the subject love. The Bible is considered the love letter to us from God, and it is, but many do not see it as a text. Dr. B states that love is learned, and gives the example of the child at the turn of the 20th Century found living in the wild. Somehow the child had been abandoned and it walked on all fours, and lived in a hole in the ground. It had not learned how to be human and so learned to be an animal. Sadly, it had not learned love and so was denied the fullness of life. And if a church does not live love, then it has failed all reasons for existence, so this writer of Hebrews states, "Let mutual love continue," in other words, continue to love one another, as Jesus commanded, and let it always be what defines us. And the writer says, Always show love to strangers, because one never knows when you might be entertaining angels. Love those who are in prison, even as if you were in prison with them; love and pray for those who are being tortured, even as if you were being tortured with them. (This was a reality in those days for Christians to be arrested, thrown in prison, then tortured for their faith). The writer stresses that marriage should be held in honor (no relation to torture!), and to keep "the marriage bed undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers." Live a life of love, free from the love of money, remembering that God provides and helps us all. Pray for your leaders (pastors, teachers, others who mentor you in the faith), and always praise God for His goodness towards us.
The key verse we probably most all know is verse 8: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." A simple ten word verse that sums up the hope that all Christians should have; Jesus never changes. Jesus is One Whose word we can trust. Jesus is the source of love, Whose love will never fail us, and Whose love we should share. We can and should learn love from Jesus and live lives that teach others the true meaning of love. And the best way, as the writer continues, is "to do good and to share what (we) have," for those sacrifices are pleasing to God. Let's get started!
PRAYER: God of love and God of us all, pour out Your love generously on us all, so that we can bless You and Yours. Help us to do good and to share all You have shared with us. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Do good. Share with all!
Receive my love and blessings for a great day!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
