John 3: 16 (NIV)

John 3:16 (NIV)

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Thursday, December 6, 2018

Hospitable Hearts


My hope, as we enter the Christmas season is that we remember that this is a time to focus on the fact that Jesus came into this world for all of us.  This is a time to remember a great historical event and a momentous occasion of love from our heavenly Father. 

This is an epic happening that we need to recognize in a true reverent fashion as befits the Giver.  For those of us who have welcomed Him into our lives, may we ever be cognizant of His Holy Spirit presence within us, and thusly present ourselves as worthy of His precious gift.

Today we read a devotional from Chris Tiegreen that I found very inspirational.  I have included a portion below:



“Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

-        Revelation 3:20



This verse is often used to pose Jesus’ invitation of salvation to the unbeliever.  But Jesus is speaking to those who already know Him, and there are profound implications for us.  Jesus is clear that He is interested in more than your initial salvation experience.  He does not want only to be followed and obeyed.  He wants to be savored and enjoyed.  In the dining room of our life, He wants the lengthy, personal fellowship of the common meal, not the brief acknowledgement before it.  When Jesus enters in, it is for intimate union.

Jesus invites Himself into our churches and our hearts, and most of us have probably given a formal RSVP, allowing Him in.  But perhaps we have not thought much deeper than that.  When a visitor is coming to our home, we hope to make it as warm and inviting as possible, if, in fact, we want him to stay.  We’ll go to great lengths to give another person the pleasure of our hospitality.  Will we do so for Jesus?  When He stands at the door and knocks, waiting for us to hear His voice and open the door, will He find that the atmosphere within has been prepared for Him coming?  Will He find welcome there?



From – The One Year at His Feet Devotional – by Chris Tiegreen.

December 6 devotional.
May God richly bless you

Orest

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