“Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:” Hebrews 12:28 It’s hard to show hospitality without showing some form of reverence or respect for guests. Few people feel welcomed in a place where they are treated irreverently or with disrespect. Unfortunately, we tend to justify our treatment of ...
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Being Open to Wise Counsel
“A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsel:” Proverbs 1:5 Family, friends and guests are creative and interesting individuals who can be very informative too. When we invite people we know or from different walks of life into our spaces, there’s a lot to glean from their experiences and expertise. If we’re willing to open our ...
Continue ReadingPutting on a Friendly Face
“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12 Friendly faces show hospitality. All we have to do is smile. Smiles show kindness and warmth that welcomes others into our spaces and conversations. We all have access to one and they’re portable. Sincere smiles can melt cold hearts or ...
Continue ReadingDoing Well Amidst Suffering
“For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.” I Peter 3:17 Showing hospitality to others can be exhausting, especially when our efforts are rejected or aren’t appreciated or reciprocated. It hurts to be discouraged, disrespected, or discounted while extending the hand of kindness to people in need. It’s also hard to encourage people who ...
Continue ReadingTreating Family like Guests
“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him,how dwelleth the love of God in him?” I John 3:17 It does our hearts good to be treated like guests every now and then. There’s something special about being welcomed into someone’s space with a kind smile, tasty meal, comfy room, clean towels, mints or a hot cup of tea or coffee. ...
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