Welcome Home
Good Morning!
I just returned from the Seattle Convention late Monday night. It was such a blessing. Will elaborate in time.
The Master Electrician has been making headway on this brain’s rewiring, and by His leading and grace was empowered to accept the mission to welcome whoever I was with.
In that process, I felt welcomed and at Home!
Much love in Christ,
Joy
# 195 Welcome Home!
“Be hospitable to one another, without murmuring. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:9-10
The word ‘Hospitable’ in Strong’s #5382 means fond of guests; Vine’s defines it as “love of strangers.” In 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:8 it is listed as a quality of a mature leader.
It is God-like to be fond of guests, and to entertain strangers. That is what God has done for us through Christ!
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
…:remember that you were at the time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise having no hope and with God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ…” Ephesians 2:12
The foundation of being fond of guests is being fond of blessing. As part of the spiritual seed of Abraham this is our purpose: to bless all our human family. Acts 10:38 records one aspect of blessing others in Jesus earthly ministry. “You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the holy spirit and with power, and how he went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with him.” This is one aspect of our ministry also. Empowered and motivated by the holy spirit we ‘do good’ and find a way to be a blessing to those we come in contact with. There are so many people openly oppressed and weighed down by effects of sin in this world.
Jesus also made special effort to spend time with his followers to bless them through his teaching and his companionship. They walked everywhere together. In his last week on earth there was a concerted effort to comfort and equip them for the future that he knew they would face. John 16:1; and chapters 13-17. He washed their feet, and he passed on the torch to us, of blessing our fellow followers. John 13:14.
“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.” Romans 12:10-13
“Let the love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2 Don’t let uncommon or unknown ground be in the way of serving others and helping them feel they belong in your home: You do not know what messenger the Lord is trying to send you, you don’t know the blessing you may receive! And you don’t know what blessing the Lord has determined for you to give!
There is also an aspect of hospitality that can be exercised away from home, when we help others feel welcome in our presence.
As we live the adventure of welcoming others in the spirit of Christ in this life we are preparing for the future ministry of welcoming the whole groaning creation into the freedom of becoming part of the family of God! Romans 8:20-21
I just returned from the Seattle Convention late Monday night. It was such a blessing. Will elaborate in time.
The Master Electrician has been making headway on this brain’s rewiring, and by His leading and grace was empowered to accept the mission to welcome whoever I was with.
In that process, I felt welcomed and at Home!
Much love in Christ,
Joy
# 195 Welcome Home!
“Be hospitable to one another, without murmuring. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:9-10
The word ‘Hospitable’ in Strong’s #5382 means fond of guests; Vine’s defines it as “love of strangers.” In 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:8 it is listed as a quality of a mature leader.
It is God-like to be fond of guests, and to entertain strangers. That is what God has done for us through Christ!
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
…:remember that you were at the time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise having no hope and with God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ…” Ephesians 2:12
The foundation of being fond of guests is being fond of blessing. As part of the spiritual seed of Abraham this is our purpose: to bless all our human family. Acts 10:38 records one aspect of blessing others in Jesus earthly ministry. “You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the holy spirit and with power, and how he went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with him.” This is one aspect of our ministry also. Empowered and motivated by the holy spirit we ‘do good’ and find a way to be a blessing to those we come in contact with. There are so many people openly oppressed and weighed down by effects of sin in this world.
Jesus also made special effort to spend time with his followers to bless them through his teaching and his companionship. They walked everywhere together. In his last week on earth there was a concerted effort to comfort and equip them for the future that he knew they would face. John 16:1; and chapters 13-17. He washed their feet, and he passed on the torch to us, of blessing our fellow followers. John 13:14.
“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.” Romans 12:10-13
“Let the love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2 Don’t let uncommon or unknown ground be in the way of serving others and helping them feel they belong in your home: You do not know what messenger the Lord is trying to send you, you don’t know the blessing you may receive! And you don’t know what blessing the Lord has determined for you to give!
There is also an aspect of hospitality that can be exercised away from home, when we help others feel welcome in our presence.
As we live the adventure of welcoming others in the spirit of Christ in this life we are preparing for the future ministry of welcoming the whole groaning creation into the freedom of becoming part of the family of God! Romans 8:20-21
