Meditate.
Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God's grace, not from rules about food, which don't help those who follow them. We have an altar from which the priests in the Tabernacle have no right to eat. Under the old system, the high priest brought the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, and the bodies of the animals were burned outside the camp. So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood. So let us go out to him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace he bore. For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit. Hebrews 13:7-17
Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Who have been those leaders in your life? Have you been obedient to their direction—commands—teachings? Are you a spiritual leader for someone? Is Jesus your ultimate teacher and leader? He should be if He is your Lord and Savior—if you are putting Him first in your life. I consider Him to be the focus of my life—I choose to consider “what would Jesus do” when I have choices to make. There are so many times that circumstances, prior commitments, and responsibilities control my day…but there are always choices.
There is security in knowing that…Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So I should not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Knowing that Jesus does not change His mind…and knowing that He will keep His promises gives me peace and strength. Because He promised, I know that He will never leave me or forsake me. That is a promise I claim and to which I cling.
I love the assurance
that the author of Hebrews also gives us…For
this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to
come. That mansion in heaven that has many rooms is going to be wonderful!
We don’t know what our heavenly home will be like—but we know that the streets
will be paved with gold (Revelation 21:21) so we can imagine that it will be
glorious! No one will go hungry in Heaven. God has promised a wonderful
banquet…which I anticipate will be on going…forever. The promise of His
generosity inspires me to do good and to
share with those in need now. There are certainly plenty of people in need
with the COVID situation. In their December 4, 2020 news release, the Bureau of
Labor Statistics in the Department of Labor reported that there are currently
10.7 million people unemployed in the US. Food bank lines are long all across
our country. People are hungry—so now is the time to give of your resources and time. Are they spiritually hungry, too?
Wonderful buffet in a hotel at the Dead Sea.
Israel
Will we have such a buffet in Heaven?
Food brings joy to my heart and I praise the Lord...
For His generosity!
Share the Joy!
With the home and the bounty of food we’re assured in Heaven, we can continually offer a sacrifice of praise and loyalty to the Lord God today. During the Christmas season it is easy to sing praises with so many wonderful Christmas carols being played in homes, on the radio or TV, and in stores wherever we go. When there is not music do you have a song of praise in your head? The seasonal songs are continually replaying in my head—and with those I choose to praise the Lord. Is your sacrifice of praise joyful?
Prayer ~ Thank You God that we can make our own choices… and hear Your voice teaching us. We so look forward to walking those streets of gold and rejoicing with You. Joy and contentment. Sharing that with others is my choice for today. Help me to spread Your JOY to everyone I meet today, whether it is on the phone in person or giving financially. I am content in all things. I need only more of You.
Verses of Salvation ~ When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:4-5
©
2020 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Unless
otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation,
copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of
Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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