Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
November 10, 2023
Hebrews 13:1-8
1 Keep loving each other like family. 2 Don’t neglect to open up your homes to guests because by doing this, some have been hosts to angels without knowing it. 3 Remember prisoners as if you were in prison with them, and people who are mistreated as if you were in their place. 4 Marriage must be honored in every respect, with no cheating on the relationship, because God will judge the sexually immoral person and the person who commits adultery. 5 Your way of life should be free from the love of money and be content with what you have. After all he has said, I will never leave you or abandon you. 6 This is why we can confidently say, The Lord is my helper, and I won’t be afraid. What can people do to me? 7 Remember your leaders who spoke God’s word to you. Imitate their faith as you consider the way their lives turned out. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!
Good Morning. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!
I love the words, “Some have been hosts to angels without knowing it.” I remember times in my life when I have stayed in the homes of others, even a stranger. When I was in college, I would go on marching band road trips. We would leave Bloomington early on a Friday morning and arrive in a prearranged town near the university for the next day’s football game. We would play our show at the local high school football game and then be hosted by band parent families for the night. Each family would host 4-6 of us. I remember feeling safe and welcomed by these families.
As an adult, I have opened my home to guests. I try to welcome anyone for whom I can meet a need. These encounters with strangers have grown into wonderful friendships where we have become more than friends, but family.
I am reminded of the parable of the sheep and goats. Remember when each sheep asked, when they had fed, clothed, and welcomed him (Christ), and he said, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ We must also remember the cry of the goats as they faced judgment when they asked when they had ignored his needs, “when did we see you hungry, in need of clothes, or fail to visit you? And he said, ‘‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’”
We are called to be the face of Christ for the world. Even a sip of cool water is welcomed by one who thirsts.
Loving God, We love you! We are fearful and cynical. We see those in need and first ask whether it is a scam. Help us to meet the needs of others without being the judge and jury. Thank you. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: We should offer hospitality to those in need.
Offer Christ to all! Pastor Liz
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