by Pastor Rich Carlson

"Everything I Need to Know I Learned In Kindergarten." It was a best-selling book and poster a few years back—a list of very basic concepts for living that just made sense. As I was reading Hebrews 13 this morning, I thought about that poster and how I could make a similar one out of this chapter. So here it is—Everything I Need to Know About Christian Living I Learned in Hebrews 13:

1.    Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.

2.    Do not forget to entertain strangers—they just might just be angels.

3.    Remember those in prison.

4.    Honor marriage. 

5.    Keep the marriage bed pure.

6.    Keep your lives free from the love of money.

7.    Be content with what you have.

8.    Remember your leaders.

9.    Do not get carried away by strange teachings.

10.  Be strengthened by grace.

11.  Continue to offer to God a sacrifice of praise.

12.  Do good.

13.  Share with others.

14.  Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.

15.  Pray for us. 

That is quite a list for me to digest today. Some items seem obvious; others cause me to stop and reassess my priorities. The list is a good reminder of some basic Christian concepts. I hope it encourages you, motivates you, challenges you, and focuses you on Jesus again today.

Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. "God is Faithful" is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.