Daily Reading: Hebrews 13
Scripture Focus: Let brotherly love continue. (Hebrews 13.1)
Devotional Thought: I love to see my daughters enjoying one another as friends. Holidays at our home are wonderful, because our kids really like each other!
The Lord feels that same way about his children. He delights in the love and fellowship that we enjoy. Jesus commands us, "love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another " (John 13.34). The writer of Hebrews reinforced that thought when he wrote, "Let brotherly love continue." In the following verses, we see some of the 'recipients' of that brotherly love:
Strangers. Some people are stranger than others! I've heard it said, "Everybody is normal - until you get to know them!" But, the fact of the matter is, we are to love people who are different from us. Jesus certainly did. We must not isolate ourselves from those not like us. That means we do what Jesus did - go where the 'sinners' are.
Angels. The word angel means messenger. There are times when messengers bring us words that encourage and inspire. At other times, they must speak the hard truth in love. We must love them then, too.
Prisoners. We tend to write people off when they fail. Remember that before a person is incarcerated or is imprisoned by addiction, bitterness, or fear, they have become prisoners to Satan. We should love the one who is bound by sin!
Spouses. I am amazed by the couples I see that don't seem to like each other, but instead 'use' one another - even in the church. The Bible teaches we are to love and respect our spouses. Lana is my best friend, and I can't imagine it any other way!
Let brotherly and sisterly love continue!
Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you love me - that you laid down your life for me - even when I was a stranger to grace. Help me to love others the way you love me. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 50.16-23
16 But to the wicked God says: “What right have you to recite my statutes or take my covenant on your lips? 17 For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you. 18 If you see a thief, you are pleased with him, and you keep company with adulterers.
19 “You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit. 20 You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son. 21 These things you have done, and I have been silent; you thought that I[a] was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you.
22 “Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver! 23 The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”
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