Genesis 24:10-27

Hospitality as a Sign

Abraham’s wife Sarah had been buried. Abraham was older than dirt. (I mean well advanced in years.) Isaac was becoming an adult. He needed a good wife.

In those days, dating, living together for a while, having a child and then perhaps getting married didn’t happen. Isaac’s father Abraham enlisted his chief servant to find a wife for Isaac. Abraham had him make a solemn promise though, that he would not get Isaac a wife from the Canaanites they were living among, but from Abraham’s own country. He wanted to be sure that Isaac’s future wife came from the same spiritual foundation as his family. Abraham was aware of the importance of both the husband and wife having a heart for the Lord in order to work together to build a marriage relationship on the solid ground of God and the teachings of the Bible.

Have you ever prayed to God with words something like this; Father, please help me to know your will. I pray for your guidance and direction. Lord please clearly reveal to me my path that I may without a doubt know the message is from you.

That is in a way the prayer of the chief servant of Abraham. Upon arriving to the town of Nahor, the servant prayed; “Oh Lord, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a girl, “Please let down your jar that I may have a drink, and she says, “Drink and I’ll water your camels too” – let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.”

Hospitality accompanied by sincerity is very welcoming. That is exactly what the girl offered the servant. She was the type of person Abraham asked the servant  to bring to him. In this case, the warm and welcoming spirit she exuded made the choice clear. She was just what the servant was looking for!

As Christ followers and lovers of the Word, we too must hold out our hands in welcoming hospitality to others. All others. The feelings or vibes we give off, may make a difference in the life path of another. Our outreach may be just what they needed.  

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ― Maya Angelou

Read/Listen to Genesis 24:10-27

God at Work in People

                                                                    Acts 8: 26-40

God is consistently vigilant. He works through us. Many are used for His purpose, who have no idea they are a vehicle for the Lord. Our Savior utilizes situations both joyous and devastating to impact the lives of his beloved.

I urge you to search your heart and memory. Depending on your age, you may have more memories than you can recall. That’s ok. We will all be there at some point. When have you been at work for God?

As it states in Matthew 25: 31-36, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on the throne in heavenly glory………..He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. Then the king will say to those on His right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world, for I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick, and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

Matthew 25: 40; “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

We are all coming from our own place in this world, and if we are still and listen to the Lord, can be honest about where we stand with Him. Each individual created by God has been dealt their own hand to play, and as Chuck Swindoll is often quoted: “Life is 10% what happens to us, and 90% how we respond to it.” Our circumstances may be difficult, challenging, devastating, comfortable, pleasant, and even euphoric at times, but no matter where we are now, it will not last. Life is a journey of hills and valleys. We are to give, share, and pour out our help to others when we can.

Philip took the opportunity in Acts 8 to explain the scripture reading to an Ethiopian official, and he in turn was baptized and received the spirit. We may not be baptizing and preaching the gospel in the same way Philip did, yet the way we conduct our daily lives is a testimony to who we are and whom we serve.

Read/Listen to Acts 8: 26-40 

Luke 24: 25-35

So there’s these two guys walking down a dirt road talking about everything that happened in Jerusalem to this, Jesus of Nazareth. They are approached by a stranger and asked what they are talking about. They cannot believe he does not know of the event, but he seems oblivious. The two men share that “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.” They had hoped Jesus was going to redeem Israel, but seemed disappointed that it had not happened. That Jesus was not the one.

As they traveled on foot together, this stranger shared with them what was in the scriptures about Jesus. He knew the complete version of the story, for he WAS Jesus, but they did not recognize him. Can you imagine walking and talking with Jesus, and not knowing it’s him? What foolish things would come out of our mouths that we would so want to take back? How many things would we wish we had said or done once we knew? These two fortunate souls even got to break bread with Jesus. Once thanks was given and the bread was broken and shared with them, their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus. Then in an instant, He disappeared. Geez, just when they would have had the opportunity to really have great conversation with Jesus, He is gone.

Perhaps there are times we too, unknowingly see, walk or talk with Jesus. He certainly has the power to arrive on the scene in a moments notice. If perchance Jesus does show up unannounced and in disguise, will we treat him as he modeled for us; unconditionally and without hesitation, with our whole heart? If he is not pleasing to the eye, or is difficult to be around because of his attitude or mental state, will we honor and respect him? Will we accept her for who she is and offer her what she needs even if she seems ungrateful? 

Listen to: "My Own Little World" by Matthew West
Read/Listen to: Luke 24: 25-35