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Podcast – Biblical Hospitality
Biblical hospitality is sharing our homes, our lives with strangers as well as friends. When one is not sharing material possessions, it is difficult to share spiritual treasures. Hospitality was modeled by the Incarnation as Jesus shared His glorious self with us and we must share ourselves with a lonely, hurting world.
Preached 8.19.2012 in Havre, Montana
Biblical Hospitality
In a nutshell, biblical hospitality is opening up your life and sharing it with those you meet, whether they are people you know well or complete strangers. It isn’t hosting a party, giving a donation to charity or buying a bum a meal. It is sharing what you have – your food, your home, your clothes, your resources – both material and spiritual with other people. The people of God are aliens and strangers whom God has welcomed into the household of faith. In turn, God’s people are to “make room” for the stranger, not only in the community of faith, but in their personal households.
In a very real sense, a person who has a difficult time sharing material possessions with the stranger will have an even more difficult time sharing their spiritual possession (faith in Jesus Christ) with them as well. The New Testament writers Paul, Peter and the author of Hebrews all command the followers of Jesus to show hospitality. A person could not serve as a church leader without having a life characterized by hospitality, widows in the church were not even eligible for benevolence unless they were hospitable to strangers, that is how serious God commands us to practice this.
Is your life characterized by hospitality?
Hymn Devotions Day 7 – Standing on the Promises
DAY 7 – STANDING ON THE PROMISES
The second verse of this hymn strikes me profoundly. God’s promises cannot fail. The omnipotent, all-knowing Creator God is able to keep every promise He makes. He is trustworthy, He is true. Whenever the storms of doubt and fear howl at me, whenever I am assailed by the knowledge of my own inadequacy, I can stand on God’s promises because He never fails.
There are over 3,000 promises in the Bible. 2 Peter 1:3-4 says this about those precious promises:
“God’s divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises so that through them you may become partakers of His divine nature”
Oh, what a great passage. God gave us these promises of His so that we can partake of His divine nature. He gave them to us so we can live a godly life through our relationship with His perfect Son!
Truly, I am bound to Him eternally and can overcome each day the doubts and fears Satan throws at me by using the Spirit’s Sword, the Holy Word of God. I will resolve to know these promises and to stand on Him. Will you?
Lord, help me to study Your Word and find your promises. Help me to hide Your Word in my heart so I will live a godly life and not sin against you. Help me to stand on Your Word. Amen.
STANDING ON THE PROMISES by R. Kelso Carter
Standing on the promises of Christ my king
Through eternal ages let His praises ring
Glory in the highest I will shout and sing
Standing on the promises of God
Standing on the promises that cannot fail
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail
By the living Word of God I shall prevail
Standing on the promises of God
Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect present cleansing in the blood for me
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free
Standing on the promises of God
Standing on the promises of Christ, the Lord
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord
Overcoming daily by the Spirit’s sword
Standing on the promises of God
Standing on the promises I cannot fall
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call
Resting in my Savior as my all in all
Standing on the promises of God
REFRAIN
Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God my Savior
Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God
Weekly Photo Challenge: Merge
I was surprised to find a Pegasus statue flying in a Chinese city. The combination of Greek mythology with Chinese architecture was cool. Someday I’ll blog about why they built it
Hymn Devotions Day 6 – I Am Resolved
DAY 6 – I AM RESOLVED
This upbeat, quick-tempo hymn inspires and challenges me to live for Christ daily. All too often I find myself being charmed by the delights of this world. Like Abram’s nephew Lot, looking at the lush valley towards Sodom, I find myself dazzled by the shiny façade of material things.
Oh, how I long to discipline myself to pursue those things which are higher and nobler, godly things that deserve my single-minded devotion. The author of the song, Palmer Hartsough, makes a great observation that “friends may oppose me, foes may beset me.” Not only will Satan try to distract me from my resolve to follow Jesus but even Christian friends, who have succumbed to worldly temptations, will also oppose me. Radical, fanatic and other appellations will be hurled at the one who pursues hard after God.
Still, even though friends may not understand my desire, I want them to join with me. This hymn urges me to invite them on the journey into complete discipleship. By leaning on and learning from God’s Word, by seeking guidance from His Spirit in prayer, we can journey together in spiritual growth.
How resolved are you to let go of the things of this world and follow after Jesus?
Lord, give me the discipline to instill Christ-like habits in my life. Help me to look beyond the things of this world and pursue hard after those things which will make me be an asset to Your kingdom. Fill my eyes with glimpses of You.
I AM RESOLVED by Palmer Hartsough
I am resolved no longer to linger
Charmed by the world’s delights
Things that are higher, things that are nobler
These have allured my sight
I am resolved to go to the Savior
Leaving my sin and strife
He is the True One, He is the Just One
He hath the words of life
I am resolved to follow the Savior
Faithful and true each day
Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth
He is the living way
I am resolved to enter the Kingdom
Leaving the paths of sin
Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me
Still will I enter in
I am resolved and who will go with me?
Come, friends, without delay
Taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit
We’ll walk the heavenly way
REFRAIN
I will hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free
Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to thee
Hymn Devotions Day 5 – Dare To Be A Daniel
DAY 5 – DARE TO BE A DANIEL
Written by Phillip Bliss for his Sunday School class, this hymn has been a favorite of mine since I was a boy. Both inspiring and challenging, Bliss throws down a gauntlet in urging believers to stand firm for the truth and to be active in conquering evil. In a day when a false definition of tolerance is making its way though society, the words of this song encourage us to act like one of the heroes of the faith.
Like Daniel, we are encouraged to live faithful lives by standing firm in obedience to God’s commands, even when the rest of society is compromising. We are urged to be brave and not to shirk from our duty. Though others may fall away, though we alone may seem to be remaining faithful, we must stand firm for our beliefs as Daniel did.
I often wonder, as I read the book of Daniel, how many other captive Jews just blended into Babylonian society. Apparently he was the only one who took praying to God seriously. The rest, well, it wasn’t politically correct to be seen worshipping God. How many of us fall into the trap of being politically correct instead of obedient?
We can accomplish great things for God when we walk in the might of His power and share the gospel message. May we go before the Lord today and pray that we will have the courage to stand for our convictions as Daniel did.
Lord, grant me conviction of heart like Daniel. Help me to stay the course, to be true and faithful. May it start today, let me not shirk from sharing the gospel with one who needs to hear Your message.
DARE TO BE A DANIEL by Phillip Bliss
Standing by a purpose true
Heeding God’s command
Honor them the faithful few
All hail to Daniel’s band
Mighty men are lost
Daring not to stand
Who for God had been a host
By joining Daniel’s band
Many giants great and tall
Stalking through the land
Heedlong to the earth would fall
If met by Daniel’s band
Held the Gospel banner high
On to victory grand
Satan and his hosts defy
And shout for Daniel’s band
REFRAIN
Dare to be a Daniel
Dare to stand alone
Dare to have a purpose firm
Dare to make it known.
Hymn Devotions Day 4 – Lord. Like A Publican I Stand
DAY 4 – LORD, LIKE A PUBLICAN I STAND
This hymn is not as widely known as the majority of others in this devotional, but it is very powerful and moving. The words of this hymn are taken straight out of the gospel of Luke, chapter 18. The author, Thomas Raffles, shows us what is necessary to obtain God’s pardoning grace and mercy – confession and repentance.
Throwing himself at the foot of God’s throne, confessing the agony of his sinful soul, the penitent tax-collector pleads for mercy based on Jesus’ atonement. He stands in contrast to the Pharisee who assumed that because he was religious, he was in good standing with God. The tax-collector knew that righteous works were not enough to find pardon before a God who demands perfection. All he can hope for is to confess all of his sins, all of his unrighteousness and throw himself on the mercy of the Heavenly Court. As he does, he finds Jesus’ mercy and saving power.
What a wonderful picture this song gives us of the hope that is found in Jesus. As you go before God’s throne today, like the publican call upon His mercy and confess your sins. You, too, will find the cleansing power of Jesus’ blood washing away your sins and making you justified in the sight of God.
Lord, here I stand, naked before you. You know me, my ways, my thoughts, my deceitful heart. I can offer no excuse. I can offer no works that are pure to atone for my sins. I repent and cast myself on your mercy. Be merciful to me Lord, a sinner.
LORD, LIKE A PUBLICAN I STAND by Thomas Raffles
Lord, like the publican I stand
And lift my heart to Thee
Thy pardoning grace, O God, command
Be merciful to me
I smite upon my anxious breast
O’er whelmed with agony
O save my soul by sin oppressed
Be merciful to me
My guilt, my shame, I all confess
I have no hope nor plea
But Jesus’ blood and righteousness
Be merciful to me
Here at the cross I still would wait
Nor from its shelter flee
But Thou, O God, in mercy great
Art merciful to me
Hymn Devotions Day 3 – O Worship The King
DAY 3 O WORSHIP THE KING
This majestic song lifts you up in praise to the One seated on the Everlasting throne. The use of adjectives such as shield, defender, friend, maker and redeemer tell us of God’s character.
Here is no aloof God, watching from way off in space. Here is a God intimately involved with His creation. This is, make no mistake, a hymn about the Creator and His creation. It was based on Psalm 104. In a day where evolution is held to be absolute truth, this hymn helps us to unashamedly sing out our belief in a personal Creator God.
The third stanza unapologetically states that God formed the world. The writer has in mind both the Genesis account of Moses and the book of Job, where God tells Job that He put boundaries on the waters.
God’s love and providence for His creation is evident throughout the song. It is because He cares and desires so deeply for us to have a relationship with Him, that we are able to sing of His glory and might.
God is our shield, an ever-present help in times of trouble. He defends us against the slanderous attacks of our adversary. He is our friend as well as our Lord, a mind-blowing concept is ever there was one. Most of all, He is our creator and our redeemer. He made us for Himself and redeemed us for Himself. All praise to the King of Kings, who is worthy of all glory and honor.
As you pray today, thank God for the ways He manifests Himself to you – a shield, defender, redeemer. He is not only your maker, but He will be your friend if you would yield your life to Him.
Thank you Lord, for creating us and the beautiful world we live in. We worship You, King of the Universe, and give you all glory and honor and praise.
O WORSHIP THE KING by Robert Grant
O worship the King, all glorious above
O gratefully sing God’s power and God’s love
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days
Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise
O tell of His might, O sing of His grace
Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space
Whose chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form
And dark is His path on the wings of the storm
The earth with its store of wonders untold
Almighty Thou power hath founded of old
Hath established it fast by a changeless decree
And round it has cast like a mantle, the sea
Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light
It streams from the hills, it descends to the plains
And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain
Frail children of dust and feeble as frail
In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail
Thy mercies, how tender, how firm to the end
Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer and Friend
Hymn Devotions Day 2 – Rock of Ages
DAY 2 – ROCK OF AGES
One of the greatest hymns of all time, Rock of Ages packs deep spiritual truths in its short stanzas. The Rock of Ages is, of course, Jesus Christ, the One who was cleft for us on the cross. He was pierced for our transgressions and by His stripes we are healed. To Him alone we must go for salvation. The final part of verse one, though, is truly deep:
Be of sin the double cure
Save from wrath and make me pure
God’s wrath is poured out on the sinner. Even now they are under His condemnation (John 3:17). The precious blood of Jesus, poured out on the penitent crying for mercy and salvation, satisfies the wrath of God the Father. Not only that, but it cleanses us from all unrighteousness, hence “the double cure.” So much truth packed into so few words.
The rest of the song hammers home the inability of man to save himself, whether by works, (labor of hands) enthusiasm, (zeal) or by sorrow (tears). Only Jesus, alone, can save. This is the great truth about our Lord. Not only can He save, but He does save.
One early, alternate version of the first stanza ended like this: Be of sin the double cure, cleanse me from its guilt and power. While this version is not used as often, it also contains a great truth. Sin is a terrible power that makes all of us stand guilty before God. Truly, we need to fly to the fountain filled with the blood of Jesus to be washed clean.
As you spend time in prayer and contemplation, thank Jesus for His saving grace. Thank Him for substituting Himself for you on the cross, taking the wrath of God in your place and being willing to save.
Thank you Father, for sending Your Son as the means of salvation. Thank you Jesus for atoning for our sins by paying sin’s penalty. Be our Rock, we pray, where we can find shelter for all eternity.
Rock of Ages by Augustus Toplady
Rock of Ages, cleft for me
Let me find myself in Thee
Let the water and the blood
From Thy wounded side which flowed
Be of sin the double cure
Save from wrath and make me pure
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy laws demands
Could my zeal no languor know
Could my tears forever flow
These for sin could not atone
Thou must save and Thou alone
In my hand no price I bring
Simply to Thy cross I’ll cling
Naked, come to Thee for dress
Helpless, look to Thee for grace
Foul, I to the fountain fly
Wash me Savior, lest I die
While I draw this fleeting breath
When my eyes shall close in death
When I rise to worlds unknown
And behold Thee on Thy throne
Rock of Ages, cleft for me
Let me hide myself in Thee
ta ethne 