Hebrews 13 / December 9 - The Last things...

Well, I've been working on the message for Sunday, it's about Jesus as our Everlasting Father, and I read a website where people whose Fathers had died could post letters to their Dad. It was actually pretty sad. Some of the letters and short statements on the guestbook were very positive and gave a nod to God for His work in their lives through the difficult times. But others seemed just hopeless. There was more than one that said, I can't live without you, it's hopeless. Others talked of years of pain and sadness that would not go away. One asked the question, "why, why, did you have to smoke?" The pain and emptiness that was conveyed by many was terribly depressing. There were others though that spoke of the last things that were said, voice mails left or fun times. What would you say if it were your last chance to speak to someone?

Hebrews 13 is the epilogue of the book. Perhaps the last time the writer (who every he or she was) would ever speak to their audience again. What was so important? What couldn't wait? What had to be said?

Did you notice that what the writer says falls very close to the following; keep it up! Don't waiver! Keep doing what you know you ought to do! Love. Entertain. Remember. Keep pure. Be content. Consider. Don't be carried away. Look for the City. Obey and pray.

Get busy!

And the prayer of the one who penned this encouragement? That God would, "equip you with everything good for doing HIS will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to HIM, through Jesus Christ."

Would you like it in a nutshell? After all it is the holidays. Don't stop. Don't stop doing the things you know are pleasing to God - even if you want to - don't stop. Get up. Start again if you fail. Don't give up. Don't shut up. Don't... I don't know another one that ends in "up" but you get the idea. And when you move and go and don't stop God will equip you with everything for doing HIS will.

Have a great Wednesday.