Don't Close the Tent Flap

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

Heb 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

 

So by grace, we have been saved. Now what? How than shall we live? One thing that should mark a spiritual child of Abraham is hospitality. Open up to all people that God sends your way. Be prepared to share God’s abundant grace toward you, with them.

 

 What does that look like? What did it look like in Abraham’s world and what does it look like in our world today?

 

Here’s a peek at Abraham’s world from  Ge 18:2-8, let’s see what we can learn from it.

 

 So he lifted his eyes and looked, (Open your eyes, God may be bringing someone into view who needs to interact with you.

 

and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them,(He ran toward the opportunity not away from it!) and bowed himself to the ground, (He greeted them respectfully)

 3 and said, "My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. (Be inviting)

 4 "Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. (Seek to refresh)

 5 "And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant." They said, "Do as you have said."

 6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, "Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes."

 7 And Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender and good calf, gave it to a young man, and he hastened to prepare it.

 8 So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; (Don’t be chincy, go top shelf with your attention) and he stood by them under the tree as they ate. (Respect their privacy)

 

It’s kind of eerie to think that the person you met at church on Sunday morning, and then invited them over for brunch could be an angel! But I would encourage you to not think that that particular person is hiding a set of wings under their jacket, rather, think of angels as messengers sent by God.

 

By being hospitable you open the door for a message from God delivered to you by your interaction with this person. God often reveals His will and something he wants to teach us through our interaction with other people. Don’t close the flap on  your tent to these possibilities. God wants to teach you through these “strnagers”

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word