Daily Devotional in Hebrews 13

Daily Nugget:
In closing his letter to the Hebrew Christians, Paul left them with eight pieces of advice
dealing with a Christian’s social duties. They were:

• To love other Christians (vs. 1).
• To be nice to strangers, especially because we have no idea, that when we do, we may be entertaining angels (vs. 1). This informs a Bible reader that angels are real and that we may come in contact with them more often than we realize. Because we may entertain them “unawares”, the art depicting them with wings and halos is not accurate. If they had those features, we would definitely be able to distinguish them from other people. However, if they looked like normal men, we would never know if we had communicated with them “unawares.” You may even come in contact with an angel today!
• To be concerned about the difficulties others are going through, as if they were your own trials (vs. 3).
• To remember marriage is the “honourable” thing; whereas adultery and fornication are not (vs. 4). 
• To be content with what you have and not to covet what others have (vs. 5).
• To be respectful and obey those that have leadership responsibilities over you in your church (vss. 7, 17). It is the preachers, teachers, and other church leaders that God uses to minister to us. They have to answer to God for how they lead those under them. The least we can do is obey their leadership.
• To not fall for false doctrine that is heard (vs. 9). Study the Scriptures and evaluate if what you are hearing is taught in the Word of God. If it is not, stay with what the Word of God teaches!

Paul felt this advice would benefit the early Christians if they would heed his counsel. Over two thousand years later, it is still good advice for one to follow.

Today’s Thought: 
Don’t just talk the talk; walk the walk.

Today’s Reading: Hebrews 13
1 Let brotherly love continue.
2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
18 ¶ Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.
23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
25 Grace be with you all. Amen.