Today’s Reading: Hebrews 13

ENDURE IN YOUR LOVE FOR OTHERS.

Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Remember those in prison, as if you were also there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies. – Hebrews 13:1-3

Be authentic in your love for others. Be sympathetic with their situation instead of judging their situation. Consider what they must be going through, and keep on loving them as if they were family.

ENDURE IN YOUR MARRIAGE.

Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery. – Hebrews 13:4

ENDURE IN YOUR CONFIDENCE IN GOD.

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” – Hebrews 13:5-6

Do not put your confidence in the things of this world that do not last, but keep your focus on Jesus, who is the same yesterday, today and forever (13:8). Look at the example set before you of the saints and teachers — people God has placed in your life to answer your questions and cheer you on to your eternal reward.

ENDURE WITH THE HOPE OF HEAVEN

For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a CONTINUAL sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. –- Hebrews 13:14-16

How do we do this?
How do we live this kind of generous and holy life?
It seems impossible to endure through everything life throws at us.
It seems unlikely that we can meet this high mark.
It is impossible without God’s help.
God, who is unshakable.
Jesus, who is the same yesterday, today and forever.
The Spirit, who daily guides us and produces righteousness inside of us.
HE will equip you.
HE will produce in you every good thing that is pleasing to God.

Now may the God of peace –
Who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
The great Shepherd of the sheep,
And ratified an eternal covenant with his blood –
May he equip you with all you need for doing his will.
May he produce in you,
Through the power of Jesus Christ,
Every good thing that is pleasing to him.
All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. – Hebrews 13:20-21

God, we thank you for all we have learned about you as we have soaked in the truth found in Hebrews. Our hearts are grateful for the gift of your Son, and the sacrifice that paid for our sins once and for all. We are forever changed because of the access we now have to you. Thank you for the power of your written word that encourages us and gives us examples of those who walked in faith through difficult situations. We pray that you will give us the endurance we need to run the race you have set before us with our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Amen.

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. – Hebrews 4:14-16