DATE POSTED: Monday, December 4, 2023, and I was blessed to be at Florida Hunting Adventures, Okeechobee, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE Living Bible (TLB) IS FOUND IN Hebrews 2:11-13

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: We who have been made holy by Jesus, now have the same Father he has. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call us his brothers. For he says in the book of Psalms, “I will talk to my brothers about God my Father, and together we will sing his praises.” At another time he said, “I will put my trust in God along with my brothers.” And at still another time, “See, here am I and the children God gave me.”

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: For those with siblings, you may remember a time where you felt like slipping under the dinner table, or behind the family home while someone important visited your home, because you may have been embarrassed by a sibling who acted up! Knowing that God knows everything about us and all about what we say or do, there may be times that you feel embarrassed to enter into God’s presence, for you are well aware of your ‘acting up’- your sin, and you are ashamed to see, or hear, what God might say about it. But friends, I was so comforted by the words shared by the author of Hebrews under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I trust that you will be reminded of why the Bible teaches us that Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father petitioning the Father on our behalf – He considers us His brothers and sisters! Is there any wonder He voluntarily surrendered Himself to die on a cross at Calvary – it was with His brothers and sisters foremost on His mind, and to secure a heavenly home for those who would surrender their lives to His sacrifice and calling. When a sinner answers the call to salvation, because of what Jesus did at Calvary, can you imagine the joy and celebration that Jesus and the angels must initiate before the Father? After all, one more has been added to the chorus that will stand before the Father singing praises when we see Him face-to-face! Despite what I already said about the embarrassment of some siblings, more often than not we stand very proud to be associated with our siblings. I feel like Jesus was feeling a certain amount of happiness and pride to rejoice before the Father over His brothers and sisters who would join Him one day soon in a hallelujah chorus before the Father! But please allow me to caution those who might take this lightly and assume that they are destined for heaven, even in their sin. Heaven, and this meeting place before the Father, is a place reserved for those who accepted the greatest gift ever given – the one given by God – His precious Son, whom He sacrificed for those who would surrender their lives to His lordship. These precious saints become the ‘brothers and sisters’ of our Lord Jesus, referred to in our Scripture today. Are you included in that number dear friend? This is a decision and action that requires you to become personally involved in the decision, and in seeking and believing on the name of Jesus. Parents, wives, siblings, nor pastors can do this for you. This requires your direct, personal decision and action. Please read my Footnote below for tips on becoming a Christian. Know that the return of Jesus to collect all His brothers and sisters could be any second after you read these words, so please don’t delay.

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Thank You Heavenly Father for the gift of salvation, made possible through an enormous sacrifice You made at Calvary through Your precious Son. In 1976 You made me very aware of this sacrifice and helped me set pride aside to surrender my life to Jesus. Having been given the privilege of writing this devotional, I am now asking that You will prick the heart of every reader who happens across this blog. Please draw them to Yourself, and make them fully aware that the brothers and sisters referred to in todays Scripture, represent folk who have totally surrendered their lives to the lordship of Jesus Christ. No church or religion could save them. Nothing but the blood of Jesus, shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of their sin. Thank You Jesus for accepting us as Your brothers and sisters, because of what You did at Calvary. Oh how we anxiously await that great day when we will stand before the Father in total adoration and hearts filled with praise! AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby your home and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!