14 day plan

What the World Needs Now (here's a clue: more than love)

Day 3 of 14

NIV

Hebrews 13:5-6

5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;

never will I forsake you.”

6So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.

What can mere mortals do to me?”

Reflection

We want more possessions, experiences, power, highs, money, beauty, sex, and achievements, and we want each new acquisition or experience to be better than the last. We may recognise our need for sustainability but our unchecked appetite for more make it a dim prospect — unless we can learn to be content with what we have.

The writer to the Hebrews lets us in on the secret to contentment. It’s not found in any mantra or practice of self-denial but in remembering who we are, and whose we are. We are heirs of a kingdom that can’t be shaken (12:28). And we belong to God who promises to be an unfailing presence in our lives — ‘never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’ (13:5).

If we can grasp these truths, we will be rich beyond measure because we know, and are known by, the God who is the greatest blessing of them all.

In what areas of your life do you struggle with contentment? Can you say with confidence: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid? What can man do to me?’ (13:6)

Prayer

Our loving Father, please remind us of all your many blessings when we are tempted to desire more than what we have. Help us to be content with what you have given us so that we can share your gifts to us with others. Amen.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

Days

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2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

Hebrews 13:1-25

Concluding Exhortations

1Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 3Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

4Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;

never will I forsake you.”

6So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.

What can mere mortals do to me?”

7Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

9Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. 10We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat.

11The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. 12And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. 13Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. 14For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.

15Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 16And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

17Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

18Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. 19I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.

Benediction and Final Greetings

20Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

22Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly.

23I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.

24Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people.

Those from Italy send you their greetings.

25Grace be with you all.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.