Examining Scripture: “Be of the same mind one toward another.Mind not high things,but condescend to men of low estate.Be not wise in your own conceits.Recompense to no man evil for evil.Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”Romans 12:16-17 Evaluating Soil: Hospitality requires a selfless frame of mind. It takes our minds off of…
Examining Scripture: “Bless them which persecute you:bless, and curse not,Rejoice with them that do rejoice,and weep with them that weep.”Romans 12:14-15 Evaluating Soil: Ugh! Blessing those which persecute us? That’s a tall order. I mean, we’re only human after all. We have emotions, different personalities, reputations to uphold, pride, self-respect, other things to do, and…
Examining Scripture: “Distributing to the necessity of saints;given to hospitality.”Romans 12:13 Evaluating Soil: Helping others requires a spirit of hospitality. Without it, we’re not likely to open our hearts, homes, and hands to someone else’s needs. On the other hand, if others don’t see a heartfelt benevolence expressed with sincere love and compassion, they aren’t…
Examining Scripture: “Rejoicing in hope;patient in tribulation;continuing instant in prayer;”Romans 12:12 Evaluating Soil: Showing hospitality can be a trying task when personal hope is lost. Who wants to host a dinner, plan an event, or have a party when you don’t even feel like smiling, much less rejoicing? Who wants to entertain when your patience…
Examining Scripture: “Not slothful in business;fervent in spirit;serving the Lord;”Romans 12:11 Evaluating Soil: I’m learning that people, much like plants, don’t like to be crowded. Plants thrive with space around them so that they can soak up the sun, air, and water. (Unlike weeds that thrive any place they find a smudge of dirt.) People…