Letters From PaulSample

PREPARE

Take a moment to quiet your heart as you set aside today’s distractions.

Ask God to prepare you to read and receive his holy Word.

READ: Hebrews 13:1–3, 5–7

Dear Friend,

Keep on loving one another as Christians. Remember to welcome strangers in your homes. There were some who did that and welcomed angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them. Remember those who are suffering, as though you were suffering as they are.

Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.” Let us be bold, then, and say,

“The Lord is my helper,
I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?”

Remember your former leaders, who spoke God’s message to you. Think back on how they lived and died, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Remembering you,

Paul

REFLECT

While we don’t know who wrote this letter, it is frequently attributed to Paul. It is likely that Hebrews was written to a group of Jewish Christians who knew the Old Testament well and were familiar with the story of Abraham and the covenant promises of God. Many in the community were facing persecution and imprisonment because of their faith. Because of this, the book of Hebrews contains practical encouragement for remaining strong in the Lord. What encouragement do you see in this passage? Do you find Paul’s words encouraging for your own walk with God?

This passage offers practical ways to show Jesus’s love in outpourings of service that help us love others as we love ourselves. Which acts of service could you show someone today?

PRAY

Our writer tells us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Pray with this statement in mind. Notice how it puts your prayer requests in an eternal perspective. Ask God to ground your faith in this truth and encourage your heart with this daily reminder.