This whole year, I have been reading along in the New Testament with my faith family. We’ve taken it one chapter a day, five days a week—leaving a day for catching up if we’ve fallen behind—and resting the last day. We’ve been using the HEAR method: 

• Highlight the verse

• Explain the context that it’s in

• Apply it to your life in a practical way

• Respond in prayer  

I have loved doing this with the body of believers I attend worship with each week, and I think that it’s unified us in a way that we’ve not been in years past. Another really neat thing is that each week, our Pastor preaches out of that week’s reading. He has been reading right along with us, and it’s been fun to try and guess what he would use each week. I hope it’s something we do again in years to come.  

This morning in my quiet time, I read Hebrews 13, the last chapter in that book, and it is FULL of wonderful truths. I thought I would share a little about some of the verses that jumped off the page at me, like I did in my own journal this morning. I pray that these encourage your heart like they did mine when I first read them today!

“Let brotherly love continue.” Hebrews 13:1  

I always love this exhortation, and it is such a beautiful reminder for all of us today, in a particularly unkind society.

“Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2

I love this thought of being hospitable to everyone we meet, at all times. I’m not saying invite strangers into your home, but pray about doing this, and ask the Lord to show you who you can minister to, maybe just by a simple act, like sharing a meal around a table. You never know the blessing that could be to someone in need of some quality time with a friend.  

Keep your life free from the love of money.  Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, “I will never leave you or abandon you.” Therefore, we may boldly say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 

These two verses could preach. Money is not evil, but the LOVE of money is. I like to pray about this topic, and I ask the Lord very often, to make me a good steward of the money He has provided for me and my family. Be satisfied with what you have. I don’t know about you, but living in a social media driven world is not easy. I have to pray about this as well, and I ask that the Lord would guard my eyes and my heart. I don’t want to see something and then envy someone for what they have, and that I don’t have what they do. The Lord will never leave us or abandon us, He will help us overcome anything we may be tempted with.  

Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you.  As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7

This instantly reminded me of my Pastor when I read it this morning. He is someone I would be safe to imitate, because he imitates Jesus Christ. Paul, the main writer of the New Testament, had something to say on this topic, as well: “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) This verse in Hebrews also reminds me to pray for my Pastor, and you should pray for yours as well. Their job is not easy, and I can’t think of many people who need more prayer than pastors in this day and age.  

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8  

How comforting to know that in this crazy world where everything is always progressing and shifting, that Jesus will never change? I love that about Him, and it’s one attribute I praise Him for every morning: His unchanging faithfulness.

Don’t be led astray by various teachings; for it is good for the heart to be established by grace and not by food regulations, since those who observe them have not blasphemed. Hebrews 13:9

This verse reminds me of what I just learned as I studied the first half of Galatians: to know the truth.  At the time when Galatians was written, the people in Galatia were being led astray by Judaizers who were coming in and distorting the truth. They were insinuating that salvation required faith plus works. In the Old Testament there were strict guidelines over what was to be eaten and what was not to be eaten, and in this time in Galatia, the false teaching was prevalent. Paul was preaching grace to them, and though they knew the truth, they were willingly being led astray. The writer of Hebrews is warning us of that same thing, even today!  

Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep—through the blood of the everlasting covenant equip you with everything good to do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21

God Himself is peace. Don’t you love that? He is our great Shepherd! I don’t know if you’ve ever read anything about sheep and how easily led astray they are, but consider researching them, and then keep that in mind when you read again that Jesus is our great Shepherd. There is a wonderful book on this topic, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by W. Phillip Keller that you should consider reading if this interests you. You’ll never be the same after reading it, I promise.  

One final thought I’d like to leave you with is this: Jesus will equip you with everything good to do His will. Someone needs to read that again, slower this time, and maybe out loud. Jesus will equip you with everything good to do His will.  

What are you facing in life right now that seems like a giant looming over you? Is it an idea that the Lord planted within your heart? Are you working on an unfinished book? Do you need some boldness to speak up in your workplace? Do you need to make a change in your life right now, and the Lord could be using these words as a confirmation? He will equip you, beautiful Friend, just lean into Him and ask Him to help you, and He will, I promise.

A Closing Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your word that reads us as we read it. The Bible tells us that the word is living and active, discerning our thoughts and heart, and I trust that someone needed to read these words today.  Use Your word that is written out in her life, Holy Spirit. Comfort her, fill her with peace, and help her to step out in faith today. I love you, Lord, and I ask this in Your strong and holy name. Amen.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

When Jennifer isn't focusing on her family of her husband and four (almost) grown sons, she is passionate about leading women to a deeper knowledge of and relationship with Jesus, through the reading of the Bible and through prayer. After years of serving in student ministry, the Lord pulled her out of that and planted her solidly in the women's ministry within her local church. She leads a small group on Wednesday nights, and together they study the word of God verse by verse, and book by book of the Bible. She loves to write, and you can find her sharing regularly on her blog, Overflowing With Thanksgiving. She also loves to sing and to help lead worship at her church, and will always be a choir girl at heart. You can find out more about her and her hobbies on her favorite social media outlet Instagram, as @JenLloydGoodwin.