Devotionals

In this world, we will always reveal a mark on our lives: 1) The mark of the Spirit or 2) The mark of the world. We determine that mark by how well we take charge of our hearts—the central core of our being—mind, will, and emotions. If we surrender to the work of Christ on the cross and follow his Word, we will treasure the eternal life and wisdom we have been given in the Spirit and align to produce the fruit of God’s pure love. If we resist the work of Christ and live for the desires of our flesh—the world’s temporary and selfish dainties—anything we accomplish that is not of the Spirit will perish right along with us.

The mark of a mature Christian is made certain by how we discern what is right and what is wrong according to God’s Word. Our decisions matter to eternity, so we are wise to understand godly decisions from ungodly ones. An immature Christian looks for ways to satisfy the flesh or fulfill only the Word of God that is self-serving or easy to honor. A mature Christian is satisfied by Christ and so whatever he or she has or does not have is enough. The life goal is always to please the Father, through the Son, by following the Spirit. If God says something must go—does not please or honor him—the mature believer says, “Yes, Lord,” while the immature believer says, “Yes, but…”

In our passage today, King Solomon has an encounter with God through a dream. For a while, he has watched and learned from the life of his father, David, and he has caught some Truth from that vantage point. Solomon is young and he knows God must equip him if he is going to lead the chosen people. So, he asks for Wisdom which pleases God. This is a very mature request for such a young man. Sadly, when Solomon begins to rule in Wisdom, as well as gain favor and riches, his head is turned toward fulfilling his flesh and worshiping other gods. Due to this failure, Solomon wrote in the Wisdom literature so we could learn, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Pro 4:23).

May God grant you a Happy New Year filled with abundant grace that produces the gift of wisdom and the fruit of divine love. Blessings!

1 Kings 3:5-14 NLT
5 That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!”

6 Solomon replied, “You showed great and faithful love to your servant my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you. And you have continued to show this great and faithful love to him today by giving him a son to sit on his throne.

7 “Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. 8 And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! 9 Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?”

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. 11 So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies— 12 I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! 13 And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! 14 And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for leaving us with the gift of wisdom so we can discern the difference between right and wrong—good and evil. It is our desire to please you and to live in a way that prospers our spirits, souls, and eternal life. Holy Spirit, help us to gain spiritual maturity in the year to come. Help us to live for you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Jesus’s warning about the end times is recorded within the Synoptic Gospels: Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, and Luke 2, and His warning is known as the Olivet Discourse or Prophecy. It was a conversation that Jesus had with Peter, James, John, and Andrew on the Mount of Olives just three days before His crucifixion. The location of their discussion plays a crucial historic and prophetic role, as Jesus left earth from this location after He appeared to His disciples for 40 days in His resurrected state (Acts 1:1-3, 9, 12) and He will return to the Mount of Olives when He comes again to rule the earth (Zechariah 14:1-4).

If you and I were present with Peter, James, John, and Andrew during their conversation with Jesus, and He answered questions about the temple, Jerusalem, and end times, image how we would have felt listening to Jesus foretell about the future. Keep in mind, we would have experienced His ministry as you and I had followed Him and witnessed His miracles firsthand. We would have known without a shadow of a doubt that we were disciples of the Messiah. This conversation would have meant even more in three days’ time when you and I witnessed the fulfillment of the prophesies and Jesus’s Word that He spoke to us when He said, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)

Friends, you and I are blessed without having seen Jesus and because we believe His Word by faith. (John 20:29) As we prepare to enter into a new year, we need to remember that God is a good Father Who seeks to rescue His children (believers) during every moment, good and bad. All He asks is that we allow Him to abide within us. We must let the Holy Spirit guide our hearts and illuminate Christ’s Spirit within our lives. We want to be prepared when Jesus returns. Jesus made sure to provide us with the best set of instructions (His Word) and His walking life was, is, and will forever be our example of how we are called to live today, tomorrow, and the remainder of 2025 and the rest of our walking lives.

Remain in close relationship with Jesus this year and dig deep into His Word each any every day so you are not sleeping, but watching for Him, and prepared for His returns. Blessings for your 2025!

Mark 13:32-37 (NLT)

32 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 33 And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!

34 “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. 35 You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. 36 Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. 37 I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!”

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Your Word that is our guide, that brings us closer to You, and that prepares us for Your return. Help each of us to grow even closer to You this new year. Holy Spirit, we do not want to be sleeping, we want You to radiate within us and out through us. Guide us each day with Your wisdom and fill us to overflow with Your fruits so that as we produce more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control we are receiving those fruits back in blessings. We love You, Jesus, and we look forward to seeing what You have planned for 2025. In Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

The Bible—the Word of God—reveals so many miracles within its pages, because nothing is impossible with God if people will believe [Mk 9:23]. Miracles display the love and power of God over even the natural order of things, because God compassionately responds to human need. God created the human race, so he is most certainly going to care for us.  

Today, please consider three of God’s greatest miracles he performed for the purpose of meeting human need if we will believe: 1) The Word of God miraculously came down from heaven and became human—in the form of a humble baby—to show humanity the Way we were originally created to live in the world; 2) The Word of God humbly laid down his physical life of holy Truth in exchange for our human life filled with sin [rebellion against God] in order to be the powerful and redeeming Door of Hope for the believer’s eternal life and future miraculous resurrection from the dead; and 3) The Word of God is the new miraculous Life imparted to believers and empowered by the Holy Spirit so we can now live the Truth in the midst of a world filled with sin [Jo 10:7, 14:6].

This is the miracle of Christmas:  The Lord of Love has been born as a Gift to humanity. The Lord of Love came with the purpose of being the Savior for humanity. The Lord of Love now offers humanity new life—eternal life—that is filled with His perfect presence.  Believers now live with the anticipation that at any moment the divine life and activity of God may be revealed through and around us. Let the Word open your spiritual eyes and ears and shine the love of Christ! Merry Christmas!

John 1:1-4 NLT Christ, the Eternal Word
1 
In the beginning the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.
2 
He existed in the beginning with God.
3 
God created everything through him,
    and nothing was created except through him.
4 
The Word gave life to everything that was created,
    and his life brought light to everyone.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the love Gift of your Son, the Savior, for your human creation. Now we can live with your indwelling Presence leading and guiding us toward your righteous character and holy nature. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

NOTE: I will be taking a break from writing the devotionals, but will start back up New Year’s Day. Love to all! Merry Christmas!

Our passages today take us throughout the Bible and reveal the Good News about the birth of the Messiah, the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ – Immanuel, Who is God with us. We see that the prophets, in the Old Testament foretold about the Child Who would come to rule as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. The psalmists wrote about the Lord and sang praises to Him and proclaimed the Good News of His saving love. The Apostle Luke, in the New Testament, documented the story of the Baby born in the manger. His account aligns with what the prophet Isaiah foretold 700 years before Jesus’s birth. Luke’s writing allows us to step into each person’s position within the story. We witness how Jesus is their Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, just as He is for each one of us. As this Advent week of Love guides us to focus on the birth of the One Who is Love, Jesus, we cannot forget what the Apostle Paul instructed. The Baby, Who we celebrate His birth this Christmas season, is the One Who brought us salvation, and He is the same One Who will return for His Church. We reside in this evil world, but live by His wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, as we reveal His Love to the world, and until He returns for us, His Church.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (NLT)

6 For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His government and its peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
will make this happen!

Psalm 96:1-2 (NLT)

1 Sing a new song to the Lord!
Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
2 Sing to the Lord; praise his name.
Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.

Luke 2:1-20 (NLT)

The Birth of Jesus

1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

The Shepherds and Angels

8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Titus 2:11-14 (NLT)

11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for coming into this dark world to save us. Help us to share your love into this world. Holy Spirit, open doors for each of us to connect with people who need You. We praise You, Jesus, for being our Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Guide our hearts to love as You love. In Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

During yesterday’s sermon, Pastor Mary helped us to remember that Love is not simply a four-letter word, Love represents Jesus. Today’s passage from the Apostle Paul continues to guide us to further understand that Love, Who is Jesus, is the supreme visible representation of the invisible God. Paul is stretching the Colossians’ perception of God, and the Holy Spirit is seeking to use today’s Word to stretch each of our perceptions of God.

Within the next 48 hours, we will celebrate the birth of Jesus, Who lovingly came to earth to reconcile everything to Himself. God made peace with everything in heaven and on earth through the ultimate sacrifice of pure love that Christ made on the cross.

If you and I truly believe that Jesus’s sacrifice is our greatest gift, then His love should fill our hearts each and every day, and we should want to share this gift with others. There is no greater gift than the gift of God’s love. Not one of us deserves it, but He graciously lavishes us with it, and His love is available to everyone.

Each one of us is an essential part of the Body of Christ, His Church; and Paul reminds us that Jesus is the Head of the Church. Consider how lost we would be without our head. Jesus is the Head because He is all wisdom, all knowledge, and He knows the loving plans that He has for His Church. As the Body, you and I need to love Jesus and love one another like Jesus loves each of us so that we can come into agreement with His glorious plans for His Church. As Paul clearly reminds us, Christ is Supreme over absolutely everything.

Colossians 1:15-20 (NLT)

Christ Is Supreme

15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
16 for through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.
17 He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
18 Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead.
So he is first in everything.
19 For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
20 and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

Prayer: Jesus, please forgive me for minimizing Your love at times. Help me to make You and Your love the foundation of each day. Quicken my heart to know when I am not representing Your love. Thank You for coming into this world to save me. Your loving sacrifice is my greatest gift. Holy Spirit, please guide me to share Your love today with others. I ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

During this Advent season, we have explored in greater detail some beautiful Gifts that have been deposited within us because of the incarnation, death, and resurrection of the Christ. We have Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love when we connect to Christ. According to Scripture, the greatest Gift given to humanity is God’s LOVE.

Salvation is a Gift that comes by the grace of God, but we must believe in Christ’s abundant and perfect Love to rescue us (Eph 2:8). God is Love and his Love is central to the work of salvation—the Good News or Gospel. Believers are those who have received Love’s rescue of eternal life. Christ delivered us from sin and death and now we live by faith in that pure Love to help us become like Jesus.

Becoming can be tough. The challenges before us are always an attack on faith and our choice to Love God through “the difficulties,” as well as Love those who are “the difficult.” But, fear not, because God makes his Love possible. Our part is to make the choice. It is God’s Love that energizes our faith and gives us direction and patient endurance for living in the likeness of Jesus.

In the New Testament, God’s Love in Greek is agapao: unconditional and preferential Love that is activated by a choice of the will. It is not based on natural emotion or given to the deserving. We are to be filled with agape for everyone; it is the mark of the Spirit on the physical temple of genuine believers. Agape is Love that seeks the good and well-being of others; a Love we have chosen to receive and share. Jesus is our example of agape and everyone born of God allows his Love to fill and flow by FAITH.

We are rapidly heading toward the celebration of Christmas and Hanukah. Christ is the Light of God’s Love who shines the Truth of God in the darkness of the world and reveals the way to his heart and presence. Let God’s agape for you fill and overwhelm you with his goodness and grace. Receive the Spirit of Christ as you think about Christmas and choose to walk in God’s Love each day. You will be making a journey of Hope, Peace, and Joy in the Love of God for YOU!

1 John 3:16-18 NLT 16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?
18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the Gift of Love to fill our hearts. We confess our barrenness and brokenness to reveal agape apart from you. Our hearts are open to the ways you desire to rescue us and we rejoice in the fulness of your Loving Presence. May you be glorified in our understanding and in our obedience. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Worship that leads us into missional service is the goal for believers. Worship is really coming into oneness in Christ through adoration and devotion; yet, worship alone is only part of our purpose while on earth. If believers are reborn and renewed by the Spirit in the image of Christ, we are going to need to understand the essential connection between the two. Mission is the believer’s action of helping others see and experience the love, compassion, and rescue of Jesus for the world. Christians [Christ-followers] are known by their holy love for God and neighbor [everyone else].

In our passage today, Dr. Luke wants us to understand our worship must come from a pure heart filled with love for God and others. Christ offered himself to God as a sacrifice for the world. In Christ, God has rescued us from an empty self-serving life. We are now invited to love God wholeheartedly and love our neighbors as we love ourselves; this demonstrates our desire to embrace holy works that brings salvation to the world and glory to our Lord. In this way we are being made holy and set apart for God’s purposes.

In his epistles, the Apostle Paul teaches those who are becoming holy have become “living sacrifices” (Ro 12:1). So, remember today you are called to be a “living sacrifice” for Jesus the Living Lord! Your will in exchange for God’s will; love calls for a sacrifice. Grace and blessings for your journey in Christ’s love, today!

Luke 10:10-18 NLT
10 For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.
11 Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. 12 But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 13 There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. 14 For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.

15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says,
16 
“This is the new covenant I will make
    with my people on that day, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
    and I will write them on their minds.”

17 Then he says,
“I will never again remember
    their sins and lawless deeds.”

18 And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the new covenant that no longer requires animal sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin. You became the only blood sacrifice needed; now we simply sacrifice our wills, so we can live for you and your purpose to save the world. We offer ourselves to you and the work of grace. Please continue to make us a holy people motivated by pure love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The world is confused and sometimes I am startled by the folks who buy into the deception. God’s children are called to live in Christ’s wisdom; and we know true wisdom when we hear it. That means believers also know foolishness when it travels past our discerning ears.

In our passage today, Jesus is speaking to the crowds. The Pharisees are also listening. He wants to hear them answer his questions about John the Baptist. Will the Lord hear wisdom or foolishness? One thing the crowd could all agree upon was the righteous ways of God. 

Wisdom’s children are recognized when they seek to live in godliness and obedience to the instruction of God’s love commands. The Pharisees sought to separate themselves from sinners as a way to be righteous in the love of God. However, Jesus—who has been made wisdom for us—proclaims righteousness is revealed through loving acts of mercy and compassion. We cannot separate ourselves from the sin that permeates the world, but Jesus can separate us from the sin that tries to hide in our hearts. Praise God!

Luke 7:31-35 NLT 

31 “To what can I compare the people of this generation?” Jesus asked. “How can I describe them? 32 They are like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends,

‘We played wedding songs,

    and you didn’t dance,

 so we played funeral songs,

    and you didn’t weep.’

33 For John the Baptist didn’t spend his time eating bread or drinking wine, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man,[a] on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ 35 But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being our Wisdom and helping us to recognize foolish living. We can grow in your character and nature, so we live in your Wisdom. Help us to live with mercy and be filled with compassion, because without you we would be living like the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Jesus calls us to be peacemakers; blessed is our future when we work for peace (Mat 5:9).  We need to study that word “peace” and the work of peacemaking in more detail, because people tend to have the wrong idea about it.  Sin disconnected us from God in whose image we were originally created.  Peace (wholeness) is what we experience when we enter back into a relationship with God; he begins to restore our broken images by his wholeness.  We work for peace as we help others find that same wholeness in God’s unfailing love.  

When we place our hope in becoming biblical peacemakers as God designed, we are purposefully revealing divine love so others can see how much God cares for the restoration of all his creation.  God’s love seeks to lead every human being to a place of wholeness in his presence.  This restoration in God’s love not only would affect people on a personal level, it would influence change in families, neighborhoods, communities, countries…the world.  This restoration is the work of King Jesus to build his Kingdom on earth.  

In our passage today from Isaiah, we must acknowledge Jesus is the God who deeply cares for people.  We can make gods [idols] of many things and try to worship them, but those gods will never be there for us or seek to draw us into a place of wholeness [hope, peace, joy, and love).  The false gods human beings make are dominating, demanding, demeaning, and very dangerous to those made in the image of the One True God; Satan is the author of each and every false god.  

Those beautiful gifts can only be found in the Savior who loves his creation.  God pursues people in order to love them into wholeness.  Therefore, the followers and believers of Creator God serve him by building others in his love and working to bring the wholeness of the Kingdom of heaven to earth.   

Isaiah 11:1-9 NLT  A Branch from David’s Line

1 

Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—
    yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.

2 

And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
    the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
    the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

3 

He will delight in obeying the Lord.
    He will not judge by appearance
    nor make a decision based on hearsay.

4 

He will give justice to the poor
    and make fair decisions for the exploited.
The earth will shake at the force of his word,
    and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked.

5 

He will wear righteousness like a belt
    and truth like an undergarment.

6 

In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together;
    the leopard will lie down with the baby goat.
The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion,
    and a little child will lead them all.

7 

The cow will graze near the bear.
    The cub and the calf will lie down together.
    The lion will eat hay like a cow.

8 

The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra.
    Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm.

9 

Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,
    for as the waters fill the sea,
    so the earth will be filled with people who know the Lord.

Prayer:  Lord, when human beings are being made whole in your perfect love, there is a greater measure of peace in the world. We are less selfish and more compassionate; we are more like you, Lord.  So, continue to draw us deeper into your shalom and help us to work for the peace of your Kingdom on earth.  One day your shalom—government of peace—will rule the world.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen. 

Peter reminds us that the word “pastor” isn’t merely a title, it’s a serious calling on one’s life to be a shepherd of God’s flock that is placed under their care. Shepherds (pastors) guide the flock (or spiritual Family), they provide biblical nourishment, they seek after the ones who stray, and they guard the flock from wolves (1 Peter 5). This is why we should all be in constant prayer for Pastor Mary. She is not only responsible for caring for our spiritual Family, but she also knows that those who teach will be judged more strictly (James 3:1).

In today’s passage, the author of Hebrews reminds us of the importance of the leaders of the Church, and how believers are encouraged to live a life that is growing by faith in the Truth, and Truth alone. We read within the passage that the leaders of faith much imitate the life of Christ, and thus their teachings must be of sound biblical doctrine, because the Gospel message of Truth is never changing as “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (v. 8) When Jesus spoke about the future and His return, He warned us of false teachers and to not be led astray (Matthew 24). He said, “And many will turn away from Me and betray and hate each other. Any many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good New about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.” (v. 10-14)

In today’s passage we see the comparison of Old Testament animal sacrifice, to the New Testament sacrifice of Jesus, through His death which reconciled us back to God. Our faith in Christ through our salvation and growing relationship with Him is our greatest gift, because it’s a reminder of Christ’s eternal promise of eternal life with Him forever. Remember, just as Christ was persecuted, so will you and I be persecuted for our faith in Him, but we must never let go of Jesus, the One Who is our True Peace, Hope, Joy, and Love!

Hebrews 13:7-17 NLT

7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. 10 We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat.

11 The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. 12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. 13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. 14 For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.

15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for Pastor Mary, the shepherd of our spiritual Family. We are blessed to be nourished with Your Truth through her. Holy Spirit, may You impart Your wisdom and strength to Pastor Mary, each day, so that she may continue to be Your guide, to feed, to seek, and to guard Your Church. Please allow each one of us to be continually growing in Your Truth. Help us to walk by faith, to read Your Word, to apply Your Word, and forgive us for sinning against You and others. Prepare each of our hearts to be ready for Your return. Holy Spirit, guide us to know Your voice and to discern when You are not speaking. We stand against false teachings and those who work to mislead Your Church. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.