Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13: 20-21 (NKJV)
As we come to the end of our study in the book of Hebrews, I urge each and every one of us to pray this prayer. It is every bit as relevant today as it was in the early days of the church. We live in a broken world and a broken society—broken by all of the evil that selfish, self-centered, self-exalting hearts filled with rebellion can bring. Is this not the prayer that we each need today? Indeed, the writer of Hebrews after pleading with his readers to “beware lest they drift”; had in Hebrews 13:18 also asked that they keep him in their prayers.
Let us look at that request as well.
Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. Hebrews 13:8
That is my prayer as well. Understanding how important words can be; I pray that my words only seek out truth from the scripture. Never do I want “me” to get in the way by action or word in displaying the fullness of God’s Grace, Love and Glory. Each morning before I write, I pray for guidance. Truth, honesty, integrity is too often lost in our “need to exonerate our own person”. So often our own agenda stands in the way of truth. We are so quick to make excuses for our own behavior or words; while, never hearing or seeing another’s reality. So yes, please pray for me as I pray for you and our nation this prayer.
“May the God of peace.”
In the beginning when God had created man in His image and had placed Adam and Eve in the Garden; He walked with them every evening. A beautiful relation of love, joy and peacefulness. Yet, Adam nor Eve really appreciated all that they had. Did they even realize what wonder, peace, love or joy even meant until it was gone? So easily swayed to wanting more; after all, they wanted to be God. Ever since, it has been the same down through the corridors of history. Men and women seeking to exalt themselves at whatever cost. Yet, God, knowing this would be the case; had from eternity past already established a way of re-establishing peace with all who would believe and accept His gift. He would make a covenant with man, so that He would have a people on whom He could lavish His love, His joy and His Glory. There would be dark and evil times. There would be great sorrows at times. Yet, through all that darkness over the ages; these, His people would come to realize the magnitude of love He had for them, His patience and His grace toward them. They would come to have hearts that would over flow with the bounty of His Grace and Mercy toward them.
“who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead”
When Jesus bore our sins upon the cross that darkest of days; it would have appeared to all that Evil had won. But no! The power that brought Jesus from the dead was the same power that defeated SIN and Death forever for all who would accept that gift of atonement. That power lives inside each person who accepts Jesus as their Lord and Master. We have the victory over sin and death; although, all too often we live our lives in defeat because we fail to recognize the truth of what we have. We have a life spiritually alive to God with the chance to sit at His feet in prayer and worship every day. Through the atoning blood of Christ, we may come boldly to the throne of Grace to seek Mercy.
“great Shepherd of the sheep”
The entire book of Hebrews is a plea to look to Him whose name is high above every other name in both Heaven and Earth. He is higher than the prophets, higher than the angels, and higher than any other priest. He sits on the right hand of the father ever making intercession for you and me. My protector, my deliverer, my comforter and my shepherd; Jesus Christ is my Savior and my Lord!!
“through the blood of the everlasting covenant”
God’s promise to each and every one of His Adopted Children stands firm. He has sealed the promise by His own mighty Word; standing upon His Justice and His Righteousness as Omnipotent Creator of the Universe. Then he signed the contract with the blood of His Son.
make you complete in every good work to do His will
So the prayer is this! May God complete every good and holy work in you. That is my prayer for you and for myself. May God Himself through the power of His might do whatever He needs or desires to transform this selfish human heart into one that will do His Good, Righteous and Holy Work in me. Whatever fiery trial I must walk through to be cleansed so that I might see His truth, let me walk with honor!!
Working in you that which is well-pleasing in His Sight
I pray each day that I might through action, word and with all my heart do that which is well-pleasing in His Sight.
Through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen
Without Him, I can do nothing.
Change, hope, peace, and love can only begin as we turn our eyes, our hearts and our voices back to God. Let this be my prayer today. Let the Change begin with Me. If each and every one of us will meet that challenge God can transform our hearts and our nation.
I also dedicate this to Chief David Brown of the Dallas Police whom I admire. My prayers are with him, with all the police and with all of the black community that are hurting. As [bctt tweet=”Chief David Brown said, “It is only by God’s Grace we will get through the next few days. ” username=”effiedarlene”][tweetthis]”Become Part of the Solution.” Chief David Brown[/tweetthis] Let it begin with me.
[bctt tweet=”Change Begins with Me-What Can God do with one heart totally devoted to Him? ” username=”effiedarlene”]
The Song I Chose for you today is I’m Praying For You
New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Picture used by Permission of Ronald Barba, who is the artist and holds the copyright. For information on purchasing go to: http://fineartamerica.com/artists/ronald+barba
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.