Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

May 18
Saturday


TRUE
HOSPITALITY

READ:
REvelation 22:16-21
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Let him who thirsts
come. Whoever desires,
let him take the water
of life freely.
__Revelation 27:17
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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 evn 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. __Bill Crowder

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

*************************Today's Bible Reading __ Revelation 22:16-21***************************

16 "I, Jesus, have sent My
angel to testify to you these
things in the churches. I am
the Root and the Offspring
of David, the Bright and
Morning Star."

17 And the Spirit and the
bride say, "Come!" And
let him who hears say,
"Come!" And let him who
thirsts come. Whoever
desires, let him take the
water of life freely.

18 For I testify to everyone
who hears the words of the
prophecy of this book: If
anyone adds to these things,
God will add to him the
plagues that are written in
this book; 19 and if anyone
takes away from the words
of the book of this
prophecy, God shall take
away his part from the
Book of Life, from the holy
city, and from the things
which are written in this
book.

30 He who testifies to these
things says, "Surely I am
coming quickly."

Amen. Even so, come,
Lord Jesus!

21 The grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ be with you all.
Amen.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

The book of Revelation tells of the culmination of history. It is the
time when God finally and fully establishes His kingdom on earth,
and justice and peace prevail. "The tabernacle of God is with
men, and He will dwell with them" (21:3). Revelation recounts
the judgment of a rightous God on sinful man. But the book
ends with an invitation to hope and life. "The Spirit and the bride
say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say 'Come!' And let him who
thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely"
(22:17).