Do Not Neglect To Show Hospitality...

Heb 13:1-2 Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Confession time...

In the course of life we often encounter opportunities to serve others and blow past them due to our busy schedules, blindness to the situation, or just plain old selfishness. Yesterday was one of those days for me.

I had been riding on a passenger train for about 4 hours. While I was on the train I was enjoying the beautiful landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. The Olympic Mountain range with its snow capped peaks and the calm water of the Puget Sound set the stage for a great trip. The train was packed full of passengers. My seat assignment was next to, let's just say, a rather large man. Across the table from us was his wife and small child. I was planning on doing some computer work while on the train and due to my cramped quarters I was unable to move, let alone whip out my laptop and write.

Being a railroad employee helps tremendously in these types of circumstances. I walked up to the train conductor and told her my plight. She was more than accommodating and gave me a seat with my own table in a car that was virtually empty... Kudos to the conductor for that one.

I spent my almost 4 hour trip reading God's Word and working on building a website I have been developing for some time. I prayed, ate a snack or two, and caught up on some loose ends. It was a great trip home.

As I approached the busy train station I called ahead to have my ride ready and waiting for me as I disembarked. Sure as clockwork, the ride was there. Oblivious to the hustle and bustle of the other passengers as they greeted loved ones with hugs and kisses, I was in full speed heading to my ride. I had somewhere to go and if you stopped in front of me you would probably get ran over.

Just as I approached the curb I was greeted by a disheveled city resident. He had probably not been showered in quite some time and was missing several teeth. He held out his hand toward me and explained that he was a veteran. In his hand was a tattered veterans card with his picture on it. He asked me for a dollar. Now here is the confession...

I would love to say that I was Jesus at that moment. That I looked him in the eyes and felt his aching heart. That I understood his struggles as he lived as a beggar on the streets. And then offered to pray for him and give him the dollar he was asking for. But that didn't happen.

I did look him in the eye however. Not to understand his heart, but to express my inability to offer any hope. I answered his request with a quick, "Sorry man, can't help you" and ran off to my ride. As I sat in the van in my 10 minute ride to my final destination I began to think about what just happened. Did I just miss an opportunity to entertain an angel? Did I do what Jesus would have done? What a selfish person I discovered I was.

As I discussed this situation later that night with my wife an image came to my mind. I visualized this disheveled homeless guy walking up to Jesus and asking for a dollar. And as Jesus was about to show him His love and compassion, I jumped in front of Jesus and basically said, "Sorry, can't help you. You will need to get it from someone else"

Oh how we can be so lost in our own selfishness. Would it have changed a thing if I had spent even one minute with this guy? It wouldn't have changed my getting home in time for dinner, but it may have changed his life for eternity.

Lord, forgive me for times like this when I am so caught up in my own thoughts and desires that I forget about those you place in my life that I can help. I am your hands extended and I pray Lord that you will give me another chance to show your love and grace to a stranger.

Blessings to you as you draw closer to him today.

Keith

Salvation Sunday: The Importance of Repentance

When I think of Salvation the first thing that comes to mind is the act of repentance. Repent and be baptized it tells us in the book of Acts (Acts 2:38) As I think about this weeks Salvation Sunday post, I am led to the subject of repentance.

So, this week I get a little help from M. G. Easton. The Eastons' Bible Dictionary defines repentance as this:

There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance.

1. The verb metamelomai is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Mat_27:3).
2. Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge.
3. This verb, with the cognate noun metanoia, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised.
   

Evangelical repentance consists of (1) a true sense of one's own guilt and sinfulness; (2) an apprehension of God's mercy in Christ; (3) an actual hatred of sin (Psa 119:128; Job 42:5, Job 42:6; 2Cor 7:10) and turning from it to God; and (4) a persistent endeavor after a holy life in a walking with God in the way of his commandments.

The true penitent is conscious of guilt (Psa 51:4, Psa 51:9), of pollution (Psa 51:5, Psa 51:7, Psa 51:10), and of helplessness (Psa 51:11; Psa 109:21, Psa 109:22). Thus he apprehends himself to be just what God has always seen him to be and declares him to be. But repentance comprehends not only such a sense of sin, but also an apprehension of mercy, without which there can be no true repentance (Psa 51:1; Psa 130:4).

True Christian repentance is when you have identified your sinfulness before God, you have an understanding that God is merciful, a disgust for your sin, and a desire to pursue God through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Daily In Christ – Salvation Sunday Challenge

If you haven’t done so in your life, now would be a good time to REPENT!

I pray today that you can come to know Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

Blessings,
Keith

True Life Challenge: Stay Awake!

Mar 14:37 And He *came and *found them sleeping, and *said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?

There is a story in the Gospels that I am always amazed to read. Jesus is telling His disciples that He will soon be betrayed and then takes three of them to the garden of Gethsemane to pray. He shares with James, Peter, and John that His soul is deeply grieved to the point of death. (Mark 14:34) As He is crying out to the Father for the cup that is set before Him to be removed the three men who are to keep watch fall asleep.

Every time I read this portion of scripture I can only wonder if the men who accompanied Jesus really knew in their heart who this Man truly was. And then I begin to look at my life and wonder how many times Jesus asked me to watch and pray and I simply fell asleep.

Daily In Christ - True Life Challenge

Today's challenge is quite simple. Ask the Lord today to reveal to you the times that you have "fallen asleep" on Him rather than keep watch. Not doing what God has asked of us is sin. Be still and quiet before the Lord and I am confident the Holy Spirit will remind you of some things. When He does, ask for forgiveness and make today a new start in your walk of obedience with Him.

We serve a God of grace and love. If you read further along in the story (Mark 14:32-42) you will find that He had to wake the disciples three times... three! How many times has He reminded you to be obedient? (and me) God will always allow us to turn from our sin and start fresh with Him.

May the Lord bless you as you seek to be more aware of Him and His Spirit in your life.

Blessings,
Keith