Have you ever accepted an invitation to another’s house,
feeling the invitation was genuine, the house warm and inviting, and finding
the struggle to leave when the night begins to flourish? My heart overwhelms with
the feeling of being comfortable, accepted, loved, open and honest when in the
home of a Christian woman given the gift of hospitality.
Martha had
the gift of hospitality for the bible declares she opened her house to Christ,
his disciples and followers. She waited
on her guests, supplied each with the necessities needed and cleaned
afterwards. Jesus Christ was a frequent
guest, meaning, God chose this house for bible study, fellowship and prayer
with his Son. The Lord endowed Martha
with the gift of hospitality, warmth and comfort.
I have a
friend who is gifted in hospitality.
This sweet Christian opens her house to parties, fellowship and prayer
breakfasts. She has these elegant and
decorative tablescapes fit for the cover of magazines featuring flowers,
candles, matching flatware, calligraphy place cards and the aroma of baked food
filling the house. She is a gracious
host, filled with attentive listening, inviting conversation, ensuring each
person feels at ease and comfortable.
Her heart opens with prayer, blesses each on e present and the
invitation for fellowship and food is truly an enjoyable experience.
I also
enjoy having others over for encouraging fellow believers, fellowship and
listening to inspiring testimonies while feeding the spirit. I pray for the discernment of how much to
say, what to pray, when the spirit needs to move and I remain silent. I pray my own home is a House of Prayer,
God’s sanctuary for praise and worship and entertaining those we would love to
bless. Remember, we as Christians should
open our homes to believers, but also those who needs Jesus Christ as their
savior. I pray over our children and to
teach them how to open their own hearts to those in need, to spend the extra
time preparing, cleaning, baking,
cooking and making each person feel special.
On the flip
side, I have also been in homes where I could have run out the door. I did not feel comfortable with that warmth
or genuine love for one another. Or as
Martha, began to focus on serving, cooking or cleaning instead of what was
important. Do not worry about the small
things or what the house may seem, pay attention to those who are in your home
for a reason (Luke 10:38-42). We
have taught our children to look for the ones who seem alone, standing
uncomfortable by themselves or ask if one would like to join in the
conversation. I know we can only be in
one place at a time, but I pray to God for the observant eyes watching those
who need attention, the ears to listen attentively for prayer or blessing and
hands to help those who need clean up for I never want to leave house
unattended.
Romans 12:13 encourages, “Share with
God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” There are some who do not
want to be bothered by others, do not want them in their homes and they pass
off the blessing to another person.
Whether you do not want to spend the time cleaning, hosting, cooking or
using your money for others, the Apostle Paul asks us to practice making others
feel welcome into the Christian faith. It can be the smallest gesture, one of
love and open arms, which can change a person’s heart. Make a dinner for a single guy or gal while
praying and encouraging them to stay strong in their flesh preparing their hearts
for the one God has for them. Invite a
widow over to feel the love and warmth of others as she may be grieving a lost
one.
Open your
home to bible study for new believers, encouraging the ones who are taking the
first steps in their faith. Invite your
pastor and his family for we are to withhold no good things from those who
instruct us (Galatians 6:6) After
assisting his flock all week, maybe he and his family need a nice meal away
from home, to be blessed by those he instructs.
Be the doer of the word and not just someone who gleans from the pastor,
but does not reciprocate (James 1:22). Christ had compassion on everyone who would
allow him into their hearts including the little ones who ran to him, the ones
who followed him and the sick who needed his healing touch. Mark
8:2-3 reads, “I have compassion for these people; they have
already been with me three days and I have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will
collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”
In Mark 9:36-37, Jesus Christ,
taking a children into his arms said, “Whoever welcomes
one of these little children in my name welcomes me me; and whoever welcomes me
does not welcome me, but the one who sent me.”
I
love that Christ welcomes the children for James instructs us not to pay favoritisms
to anyone, but welcome all with open arms (James
2:1-26). I pray your home is open for all, not just the “selective” few who
maybe well known, have the connections you desire in the church or want to be
friends with. God is no respecter of
persons, and neither should you be (Romans
2:11). Christians should lead by
example, not becoming weary in well doing, but making the most of every
opportunity to give to those less fortunate (Galatians 6:9).
When we
open are homes and hearts to the Lord, yes for fellowship and enjoying each
other’s company, but be ever watchful for gossiping and slanderous mouths (1 Timothy 3:7). I am always aware of what is mentioned in
confidence, prayer requests for the heavy burden and what others do not wish to
divulge. If we can imagine ourselves in
the very person we are discussing, would you want to be the topic of
gossiping? Would you want to be the
topic of those who whisperings for “prayer requests”? Women, at times, can be very catty. You lead by example and if present persons
refuse to respond to a quiet rebuke, take them aside again and gently tell
them, this is neither the time nor the place.
I am
thankful for the invitations we receive from those who enjoy entertaining and
hosting. I love the displays of food,
observing the time it took for making the house warm and inviting. I am thankful for those who have the gift of
hospitality, these Christian women can influence the next generation of youth,
instilling in them a Christ like behavior that is lost on many. I pray my own children enjoy opening their
homes and hearts to those in need.
Let us pray and
CONFESS the Word of God:
Adonai,
Thank you
for your church, thank you for the gospel of Jesus Christ and thank you for
sending your son to die for me, paying the price for my redemption and
salvation (John 3:16). I pray you use all the gifts bestowed on me,
chosen for me for your Kingdom (1 Peter
4:9-10). I pray to open my house for
bible study, for fellowship, for prayer, for service to you as an offering and
sweet aroma. I pray I have the strength
and never tire of spreading the Gospel, this seed in which is continuously
growing by faith (Colossians 1:6, 1
Peter 4:9, Galatians 6:9).
I pray you
teach me what I need to proclaim fearlessly (Ephesians 6:20). I pray my
love never grows cold or is lukewarm for those new to the faith, in need of
comfort, counsel, security, shelter, food and clothing (Matthew 24:12, Revelation 3:16, Mark 8:2-3). I pray my house is as a shelter of the Most
High, a beacon of light for you, a comfort for those in need (Psalm 91:1). May they never feel unwanted, neglected or
mistreated (Romans 12:13). May my house be as David’s harp, calming the
spirit with a peace that surpasses all understanding.
I pray to
never gossip, reveal what has been spoken in private, slander, covet or desire
more than what has been given to me from above.
I pray my reputation is an example of Jesus Christ, and never tarnished
by encroaching sin or past mistakes (1Timothy
3:7). May I be a woman approved by
God and entrusted with the Gospel (1
Thessalonians 1:4), sitting at the foot of the cross soaking in all your
truth, Word and counsel (Psalm 25, 1
John 2:27). Give me the strength and
discernment for balance in my life of when to study, when to pray, when to
give, when to teach, when to comfort and when to rest (Isaiah 11:2, Mark 6:31.
May I be as
John the Baptist, decreasing in my own flesh and increasing in you (John 3:30). I pray to be a doer of the
word (James 1:22), encouraging believers
in the walk with you, loving those who need to be picked up, gently rebuking
those in sin and comforting those who have had a loss (2 Timothy 4:2). I know you
will give me the finances to walk in the path chosen for me, to feed those who
are hungry, give to those in need and teach those who thirst. Help me prepare for the battle with the armor
of the Lord (Ephesians 6:12),
boasting only in the name of Jesus of Nazareth (Galatians 6:14), clothing myself with His grace and mercy. May He reign! Amen.
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