The love of the believer is essential in communicating the love of God. After all, at the moment of belief, of confession and repentance, when an individual has been born again, they become a vessel by which the Holy Spirit can move and operate. What fruit might we see proceeding from one who is endowed with the Holy Spirit? Indeed, we would see love.Love must be sincere.-Romans 12:9aThe lesson th...

The language of chapter 13 shifts from the language that was found all throughout the book. Where the central focus was upon faith, seeing Jesus as better than all else, and the consequences of departing, now it is upon the expression of faith.It is clear that there are major cultural influences that have been taking precedent in the lives of the audience. It is by the cultural influences from the...

We finally enter into the final chapter of the book of Hebrews. As concluding statements are being made, the writer to the Hebrews gives some final statements concerning conduct and character. This particular section highlights how the believer ought to walk in love.To begin, he instructs for brotherly love to continue. He is not talking about love between literal brothers, but rather the love tha...

1Continue in brotherly love. 2Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3Remember those in prison as if you were bound with them, and those who are mistreated as if you were suffering with them. 4Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers...

Take the next 15 minutes in wordless silence before the Lord. Use this as opportunity to practice being still before God.......

To not refuse the voice of God is a tremendous calling to those who do not practice listening to the voice of God. The practical is one that we find difficult in our modern world. But it is one that must be done.10“Be still and know that I am God;I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted over the earth.”-Psalm 46:10We as believers are called to silence and solitude before the Lord. Can...

Wrath. Fear. Judgement. Death. These are themes that are prominent in this week's passage.Salvation. Joy. Celebration. Rejoicing. Gratitude. Thankfulness. These are also themes that are prominent in this week's passage.It can be extremely easy to fall to one side or the other. Are we supposed to fear or rejoice? Yes. No matter how uncomfortable the answer might be, it is yes. We come before an Alm...

25See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if the people did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns us from heaven?-Hebrews 12:25 BSBThe heart of everything up until now comes to this. The invitation has been given. The summons has been called. Now is the time to heed the voice of God. To do any less is to subj...

Perspective is everything. This passage is a connection that brings perspective to the original audience. As we zoom out and look at the purpose of the book of Hebrews, we see that it is to show them how Jesus is better. It is also to show the consequences of leaving the faith, but then the incredible reward of remaining and enduring. In a broader context, the writer to the Hebrews is speaking of ...

28Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. 29“For our God is a consuming fire.”-Hebrews 12:28-29 BSBThese two verses sum up this section perfectly. To paint the picture simply, there was a time where man could not approach God. He would appoint a representative on His behalf to mediate between Go...

18For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm; 19to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken. 20For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” 21The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” ...

Prayerfully submit yourself to the Lord. Take a moment of meditation once again on Proverbs 3:5-6 and seek to acknowledge Him in all your ways. Pray for the encouragement of those in the faith. Pray that the Lord would reveal to you whomever He would have you ecnourage.5Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will mak...

12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. -Phili...

12Therefore strengthen your limp hands and weak knees. 13Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. -Hebrews 12:12-13 BSBI have expressed quite honestly in times past that discouragement can rain a heavy burden upon my shoulders. It is easy to become downcast and lose sight of what is important. Through many seasons of discipline from the Father, I ...

A theme has emerged throughout this book multiple times, but because a focal point in chapter 12. That is the theme of holiness. As we covered last week's devotions and talked about the discipline that the Father brings to His sons, we discussed that the purpose of that was ultimately to yield righteousness. It is for our sake that the Lord disciplines us. It fosters that fruit of righteousness. O...