Hebrews 13:7–9 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace…
Think about the person who was instrumental in helping you understand Jesus and His love. I would imagine you have good memories about that person. While he or she was not perfect, they did a good job of pointing you to Jesus. They told you about His perfect life, His death on the cross, His resurrection on the third day, and what all that means for you. That person made an impact on your life.
I would imagine the person you are thinking of is someone who did not just talk the talk. He or she also walked the walk. That person put his/her faith into action. That person lived with the certainty that while situations and circumstances are constantly changing in our lives, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. That is our constant. The Psalmist put it this way.
Psalm 136:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.
He does not change. His love endures. In any and every episode of your life.
When you think about that person who played a major role in your spiritual development, the writer of Hebrews tells you this: Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. That is some solid advice that we would all to well to heed.
As I was reading this passage, which is part of the Second Reading assigned for this day in the church year, the first part of verse nine leapt off the page for me:
It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace…
This is what we need to hear. This is what I crave when I go to worship. I want my heart to be strengthened by the undeserved love of God in Christ. I want the free gift of God’s forgiveness for Jesus’ sake to fill me. I have to hear that in spite of all my sin and failures and shortcomings, God gives me what I don’t deserve: the forgiveness, life and salvation that Jesus earned for me. It is good for my heart to be strengthened by grace.
May your heart be strengthened by grace today.
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Cheryl and I will be co-hosting a trip to Greece next year with Donna Snow: Walk in the Footsteps of Paul. The links to the brochure and registration form are below.
https://www.artesianministries.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/10-Day-2023-Greece-Tour-Brochure.pdf
