August 08, 2025 | Be God's Family
Future Hopes and Warm Greetings
Scripture: Hebrews 13:22-25(NIV)
22 Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly.
23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.
24 Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings.
25 Grace be with you all.
Devotional
With these words the author of the book of Hebrews concludes this writing that reads like a sermon. The people are encouraged to do several things we might find helpful.
“Bear with my word of exhortation.” It’s one thing to hear a sermon, to read some Scripture, or to listen to what another believer has to say. It’s another thing to apply it to your life. James 1:22 states, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” My definition of a disciples is someone who knows, loves and obeys Jesus. What does it mean to you when this thirteen chapter book ends by saying, “Bear with my word of exhortation”?
“Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people.” The Christian faith was not meant to be lived alone. While I love the fact that our devotionals, podcasts and sermons are available online, I also lament it. We were meant to do faith together. Earlier in this study we read, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another” (Hebrews 10:24-25). Our “witness” demands “with-ness.”
“Grace be with you all.” We live in the grace of God, poured out through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The grace of Christ is the air we breathe. Acts 17:28 reminds us “For in him we live and move and have our being.”
For the past fifteen weeks we have been exploring the book of Hebrews. What stands out to you from this journey of faith? How do you see Jesus more clearly? In what ways is the Lord calling you to live differently?
Say a prayer to God, declaring your discoveries and commitments. Amen!
Poem
Blessing
Psalm 96
May you always know grace
May you always have peace
May you dwell in God’s temple
May your love never cease
May your life be e’er fruitful
May you know great increase
May your children know Jesus
May you serve great and least
May you know God’s abundance
‘Til together we feast
