Tag: Hebrews 13
Our Great Shepherd!
Scripture reading for October 30: Hebrews 13
“Now may the God of Peace Who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21
The writer of Hebrews concludes his letter with a blessing for a benediction. I love blessings and all God’s people love to be blessed and rejoice in their deliverance from the curse of sin and death. Here God the Father is called the “God of Peace” because of His wonderful plan of redemption that worked out peace with God and sinners who were separated from God and under His wrath. His amazing plan was to send His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to demonstrate the love of the God of Peace. Jesus would be God’s final Word that would draw mankind to repentance and faith and adoption into His forever family.
Jesus Christ is introduced in this blessing as the Great Shepherd of the sheep. Jesus came to call His sheep out of the world of sin and darkness. He came to lead them to quiet waters of peace with God and green pastures of transforming food. This Great Shepherd laid down His own life as a sacrifice for sin to purchase back the lost sheep. He gave His own blood to make an ‘eternal covenant’ of righteousness by faith. The Father sent His Holy Spirit to equip the purchased sheep to love Him and others and do His will. The Holy Spirit would make them pleasing to God as He worked increasing faith and obedience into their lives through a deeper walk with God. All this results in glory and honor and praise to God the Father and Jesus Christ forever and ever! Amen!
Have you received this blessing from the God of Peace? Are you pleasing God through a life of faith, doing what is pleasing in His sight? Is the Great Shepherd leading you each day to fulfill God’s will and live a life of peace and worship?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your peace through faith in Jesus Christ. Thank You for the Great Shepherd Who leads me daily through His Holy Spirit to do what is pleasing to God. May my life and faith bring joy and glory to my Great Shepherd and the God of Peace. Amen.
Worship God–obey leaders!
Scripture reading for October 31st: Hebrews 13
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Hebrews 13:15-17 “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise–the fruit of lips that confess His name. And do not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work may be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
Worship is a powerful response of faith that centers our souls on an omnipotent and loving God. It enables us to do good works and help others no matter how hostile the environment. God is worthy of our praises and is pleased by good works done through faith. Obedience to leaders and joyful submissions to their authority provides a protective covering over us and our families. These leaders have been placed by God to help you and watch over you.
Observations for over-comers: Worship involves praising God with our lips and doing good deeds by obeying the word of God and following the Holy Spirit. “He who obeys instructions guards his life, but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die.” (Proverbs 19:16)