November 2 | Hebrews 13

Elaine Pierce
Nov 1
2 min read

DAILY READING

REFLECTION

God's Grace Freely Given

By Elaine Pierce

If you are a faithful follower of UALC's "Daily Worship," you will notice that this is the last Sunday we are studying the book of Hebrews. This last chapter focuses on more practical matters - how we live our lives out as Christians. This week's daily reflections will focus on one or two verses from this chapter every day. My bible's headline for this chapter is a good one: Concluding Exhortations. What does the writer want to leave with his readers?

He (or she) covers a wide range of topics:

Family (v.1),

Hospitality (v.2),

Prisoners (v. 3)

Marriage (v.4)

Leaders (v. 7, 17),

Clergy duties (v. 9-13)

Prayer (v. 18-20)

Being a Christian does not mean going to church on Sunday, putting some money in the plate, and heading out the door back to your 'real' life. Our faith encompasses all that we do, all that we say, all of who we are. As Pastor Steve Turnbull wrote in his introduction to our Hebrews study guide, "Hebrews teaches us to see how the story and promises of God are fulfilled in Jesus Christ.....All of it [how Jesus fulfills specific promises] will challenge us to grow in Christ and gain strength for endurance to eternal life."

How do we grow in Christ? How do we gain strength for endurance to eternal life? We can love each other as brothers. We can offer hospitality to strangers. We can visit prisoners. We can honor and strengthen marriages. We can pray for our leaders. We can recognize that Jesus paid the price - once and for all - and the new covenant is ours for now and for all time.

The book of Hebrews ends with a simple, yet profound blessing: Grace be with you all (v. 25). This does not mean that your life will be trouble-free. In fact, you will, if you live a long life, a life that is filled with the Holy Spirit, encounter stress, sadness, and failure - maybe even persecution. But grace, grace, God's grace, will abound, and you will meet him face to face on that day when he will wipe every tear from your eye.

Take heart! Give thanks! Praise God! To Him be the Glory!

PRAYER

Thank you, Lord, for your Word, that challenges us, changes us, and encourages us. Thank you for the opportunities we have this week to serve you and share your love. Help us to find opportunities to love our brother.....to share our gifts....and to give you all praise and all glory. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELAINE PIERCE

It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!