A Re-post From Bill Crowder of Our Daily Bread

True Hospitality

May 18, 2013 — by Bill Crowder

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Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn

Read: Revelation 22:16-21

Let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. —Revelation 22:17

Bible in a Year:
1 Chronicles 4-6; John 6:1-21

In 1987, our family moved to California to take up the pastorate of a church in the Long Beach area. The day we flew into town, my secretary picked us up at the airport to take us to our house. As we pulled into traffic, the very first thing I saw was a bumper sticker that read: “Welcome To California . . . Now Go Home!” It was not exactly a warm and cheery welcome to sunny southern California!
I wonder if there might be occasions in our lives when we send similar signals to people around us. Whether we are at church, in the neighborhood, or at social gatherings, are there times when we fail to make others feel welcome in our world?
In Romans 12:13, Paul instructed his readers to be “given to hospitality.” The book of Hebrews goes even further, saying, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels” (13:2). By showing gracious kindness to those who come our way, we echo the Savior’s invitation for salvation, which declares, “Let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17).
To show someone loving hospitality just might be the first step in showing that person the way to heaven.

Give as ’twas given to you in your need;
Love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper indeed;
Unto your mission be true. —Wilson

Live so that when people get to know you, they will want to get to know Christ.

A Re-post From Anne Cetas of Our Daily Bread

God’s Strong Arm

May 17, 2013 — by Anne Cetas

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Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn

Read: Exodus 6:1-8

I will redeem you with an outstretched arm. —Exodus 6:6

Bible in a Year:
1 Chronicles 1-3; John 5:25-47

My friend Joann had a strong desire to become a concert pianist and to travel and perform as either a soloist or as a piano accompanist. While majoring in piano performance in college, she developed tendinitis in her right arm, and it became too weak to perform the solo recital that was required. She graduated with a degree in music history and literature instead.
She knew Jesus as her Savior, but she had been rebelling against Him for several years. Then through further difficult circumstances, she sensed the Lord reaching out to her, and she turned back to Him. Eventually her arm grew stronger, and her dream of traveling and performing came about. She says, “Now I could play to God’s glory instead of my own. His outstretched arm restored my spiritual life and the strength in my arm to enable me to serve Him with the gift He gave me.”
The Lord promised Moses that His outstretched arm would rescue the Israelites from bondage in Egypt (Ex. 6:6). He kept that promise even though His often-rebellious people doubted (14:30-31). God’s mighty arm is outstretched for us as well. No matter the outcome of our situation, He can be trusted to bring about His will for each of His children. We can depend on God’s strong arm.

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms. —Hoffman

With God’s strength behind you and His arms beneath you, you can face whatever lies ahead of you.

A Re-post From Dave Branon of Our Daily Bread

I’m Sorry, Man

May 16, 2013 — by Dave Branon

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Read: Matthew 5:21-26

Be reconciled to your brother. —Matthew 5:24

Bible in a Year:
2 Kings 24-25; John 5:1-24

When my son-in-law Ewing and I attended a sporting event, we enjoyed watching both the game and the people around us.
One of those people showed both the bad and good side of humanity. This man had apparently lost track of his seat. As he was looking for it, he stood squarely between us and the field. A man sitting in front of us also had his view blocked, so he told the guy, “Could you move? We can’t see.”
The lost man responded sarcastically, “Too bad.” A second request got a similar but more heated response. Finally the man moved on. Later came a surprise. He returned and told the man he had blocked, “Hey, I’m sorry, man. I was upset that I couldn’t find my seat.” They shook hands and the incident ended well.
That interaction made me think. As we go through life striving to find our way, situations may frustrate us and cause us to respond to others in an un-Christlike way. If so, we must ask God to give us the courage to apologize to those we have offended. Our worship, according to Jesus, depends on it (Matt. 5:23-24).
We honor God when we make reconciliation with others a priority. After we have been reconciled, we can then fully enjoy communion with our heavenly Father.

It’s not easy, Lord, to swallow our pride and ask
others to forgive us. But You want us to seek
reconciliation before worship can take place.
Help us to seek forgiveness when necessary.

Confession of sin is the soil in which forgiveness flourishes.