Organizing By THE BOOK
July 27, 2007
We would like to share with you 2 different devotionals from Organizing By THE BOOK, Devotional Ideas from God’s Word
3 What Pleases the Lord?
Live as children of light …and find out what pleases the Lord. Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise. Ephesians 5:8, 15 (NIV)
Can the command be simpler? Find out what pleases the Lord and be careful to live that way. This takes some thought. Would it please the Lord for me to do something different from what I am doing in the house?
Because he hasn’t said so specifically, I don’t presume to know for sure whether God cares if:
I am late to appointments.
My clothes are scattered around.
I have to spend a lot of time looking for misplaced things.
I procrastinate in sending out sympathy, get well, or birthday cards.
The children’s school papers are not signed and returned on time.
We can all guess that he does care. But one thing is certain. He tells us to live wisely so we can fulfill commands he has clearly given such as:
Bear one another’s burdens. (Don’t make work for others. Help them instead.)
Love not only in word but in deed. (Don’t fail to actually DO something for others.)
Take care of the needy. (Don’t carelessly become the needy person that others need to take care of.)
Let your good works be seen so that your Father will be glorified. (Be productive.)
If our disorganized behavior interferes with any of these, I think I am on solid ground saying that God would like us to be more organized so we can do more for him.
Apply to your life
Think about it. What three things can you do that will help you live as a child of light? Use the space below (or your journal) to list three things that you think you can do to please the Lord. Make them small ones so you can put them into practice today or tomorrow. Then do them consistently day by day. After those are cemented, add one or two more things.
In that way you will be building wise behavior that will please the Lord.
39 Forget Not to Show Hospitality
“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews 13:2
This is not just a thought or an inspiration. It is a command. For some of us it is one of the most difficult commandments to keep.
“Thereby some have entertained angels unawares,” says the Scripture, probably referring most directly to the hospitality Sarah and Abraham showed to the angels who came to deliver the message that they would have a baby of their own. They entertained in an appropriate manner for the nomads they were.
For some of us the experience would be different, I am afraid. We hear a knock at the door in our modern home.
“Hello, Mr. Angel!” we gasp as we stall on the front porch, startled by the shining and the large wings. (“Kids pick up the living room! Dump all of that stuff in the bedroom!” we whisper urgently over our shoulder toward the living room.) “How can I help you? Does the Lord need something special from me today?” (“Hurry up kids, hurry!”)
“Well, I’m not quite ready to do anything extra today. I have so many things to get caught up with. I really wish I could.” (“Is it all clear yet, kids? Not yet? Just shovel it all in the back. We’ll clean it up later.”)
“You have to go…, so soon? Can’t you stay a minute longer? Well, can you come back when I’m not so busy? Let me know a little in advance if you can. But I want you to know, I want to serve the Lord in every way I can. Please come back. I’m just not quite ready today.” (“Never mind, kids,” you sob closing the door. “It’s too late this time.”)
But it is a life changing experience. Angels will return. They always do. From now on you will be ready to show hospitality to them whether or not they come with wings. Friends who need God’s salvation, unexpected visitors from church, family, those who are in need or have come to meet your need will be welcomed.
Your house is not just a changing, sleeping, or eating station. It is a place of hospitality —- hospitality for God.
Apply to your life
What can you do to be a more hospitable person?
