Day 113/260: Read Hebrews 13

There is so much practical power packed into just the first five verses of this chapter. Love, hospitality, ministering to the disadvantaged, marriage, and contentment.

“Let brotherly love continue.” Take care of your local church family, and, as opportunities arise, take care of the larger community of believers that you have yet to meet.

“Remembers the prisoners as if chained with them.” The writer does not specify if these prisoners were guilty of some illegal activity, or if they were being “mistreated” because of their devotion to the gospel. In either case, an imprisoned brother should not be neglected. Consider the inspired words of Galatians 6:1, and the Lord’s admonition in Matthew 25:34-40.

“Marriage is honorable among all.” Was that the case in the first century among non-Christians? Is that the case today, even among some in the Lord’s church? The immorality of the culture has sadly affected some in the Lord’s body so that they have become too “conformed to this world” and not “transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).

Contentment is another issue that causes a struggle for many Christians. We get enamored with things, and it is a difficult impulse to control. Inspiration reminds us, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).

These are good, simple, and practical reminders that wrap up the epistle to the Hebrews. “Grace be with you all. Amen.”

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Hebrews 11:6. But without __________ it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must __________ that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Pray

Pray for each other in daily struggles.

Day 112/260: Read Hebrews 12

The Hebrews, tempted to revert to the Mosaic statutes, were encouraged to look at the suffering of the Lord. He “endured such hostility from sinners,” even to the point of death in the most degrading way. How did He view His suffering? With a view past it: the cross represented shame, but Jesus focused on the joy of sitting “down at the right hand of the throne of God” that would come as a result.

These readers “have not yet resisted to bloodshed,” and should not be discouraged but encouraged by the love and faith and humility of Jesus. Too often we, much like the first century recipients of this letter, view our sufferings with weariness rather than joy, looking only to the temporary pain.

We have “forgotten the exhortation” regarding the chastening of God revealed in Proverbs 3:11-12. “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.”

It is through the discipline of God that we are made better. Without His guidance, which may come through discipline, we are lost. We cannot save ourselves; only He has that power. Thus we must “not refuse Him who speaks” but endure suffering and at times chastening, for “we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken.”

Memory (Copy into a notebook 5-10 times)

Hebrews 11:6. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Pray

Pray for strength to endure suffering and wisdom to seek correction when disciplined.

Day 111/260: Read Hebrews 11

Moses’ faith started with his parents, who “were not afraid of the king’s command.” How important is it to raise our children in a godly, righteous, faithful home? Proverbs 22:6 instructs, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Paul commended the genuine faith of Timothy’s mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5), who undoubtedly played a role in Timothy’s knowledge of God’s Word “from childhood” (2 Timothy 3:15).

Moses chose a life of hardship rather than pleasure. Is sin pleasurable? Yes, but as the Scriptures teach here sin is “passing pleasure,” and as inspiration teaches elsewhere, sin leads to an eternal separation from God.

God, through Moses, commanded the Israelites to do a very strange thing in Exodus 12. They must have had some degree of faith as they followed the decree to sprinkle blood on their doorposts to avoid the death wrought upon the firstborn in every family in Egypt. The faith of Moses and the faith of all Israelites who humbled themselves in obedience to that command were spared; still today, those who humble themselves in obedience to the gospel will be saved.

Even if we do not understand the reasons for His commands in the New Testament, by faith we must obey those commands to please Him.

Memory (Read aloud 5-10 times)

Hebrews 11:6. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Pray

Pray for increased faith as you seek to do the will of God as revealed in the Scriptures.

Day 110/260: Read Hebrews 10

Based on everything the Hebrews writer revealed, because of the boldness that Christ’s blood provides, by the new and living way, because He is our High Priest, he says, “Let us draw near.” Don’t shrink back, don’t turn to the left or the right, don’t look for salvation anywhere else. “Let us draw near.”

The boldness we have to approach God’s throne is not based on our goodness, or our ability to walk perfectly, though we should strive to please Him in everything we do. Rather, our boldness comes “by the blood of Jesus.” It is His blood that was “shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28). It is His blood that “wash(es) away your sins” (Acts 22:16). It is His blood by which “the church of God…He purchased” (Acts 20:28).

Without His blood, we are without forgiveness. Paul wrote that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). If we were forced to compare our actual righteousness to what God has revealed, and we did not have access to the blood of Jesus to cover our shortcomings, any boldness or confidence we might have would be replaced by absolute terror.

Yet, we have the opportunity to approach Him because of the blood of Jesus. “Let us draw near with a true heart.” What a blessing His mercy truly is.

Memory (Recite to a friend without looking)

Hebrews 8:13. In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

Pray

Pray with boldness and confidence a prayer of thanksgiving for Jesus’ sacrifice, and pray for forgiveness.