Hebrews 13  This final chapter reminds us of some practical.. personal life choices.. that we will demonstrate as we walk in faith.. 

We will "let brotherly love continue".  We will "show hospitality". We will remember those who are in prison for their faith. We will honor our marriages. And, we will be free from the love of money, being content with what we have. 

Our motto will be the words of our Lord, "I will never leave you, nor will I ever forsake you."  Jesus, who is "the same yesterday, today, and forever".. is our helper.. and we do not need to fear what mankind can do to us.

"Consider the outcome of their ( the godly leaders)  way of life and imitate their faith.."  Even as we look back at the heroes of faith listed in chapter 11.. we can look at men and women of faith in our own generation.. who live out their faith before us.  Another version says it this way, "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation."  In other words.. they walk.. the talk!  These are the ones we want to imitate. 

The second part of verse 9 stands out to me.. ".. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace.. "  It is not by "strange teachings".. nor is it by following ceremonial laws.. that our hearts are made stable and established in faith.. it is by God's gracious gift. 

Once again, we are exhorted to look to Jesus.. "Let us, then, go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come."  Like those who went before us.. we also are called to look ahead.. to that which we hope for, but do not yet see.. we fix our eyes on Jesus.  We live our lives here in a way that takes us to be with Him forever. 

"Now 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, equip 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."  And amen!