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Listen while you read: "O Worship The King"1 (Lyrics) |
Last week, I had the carpet cleaners in to clean the rugs in my apartment. They were in a mess from dirt tracked in during the winter. Everything in the living and dining areas was well cleaned, but unfortunately, the cleaners left a big mess around the welcome mat outside the front door. I had to call them back to finish the job properly.
What we present to others — our welcome mat — is often like that: in a mess. Others can see it only too well, for it is obvious in the way that we greet them. Do we give people our support? Do we really welcome others into our lives with gladness? Are we open and friendly, offering to help people — or are we spiritually cut off from them, not caring?
I have noticed that busy people today tend to ignore others in trouble. But that is not Christ's way. He wants to love and care for them through us. God's love prompts us to open the door to other people, as we invite them to step across the welcome mat of our lives.
What does God think of us? Are our days spent in pleasing God or in seeking our own pleasure? We can do foolish things during the day and then pray at night that God will bless us. Instead, the course of our day changes when we live by faith, knowing that God is with us. It is His love that we are called to share with others. Jesus said:
Matthew 18:5 – Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. (NIV)
Hebrews 13:2 – Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. (NIV 2011)
The welcome that we give to all, even those coming to us as strangers, is an opportunity to introduce Jesus into their daily tasks. So let us take any occasion to clean up the mess on our welcome mat. What we want is to share with others God's love and kindness. We need to introduce Jesus to them. His love is what we all need.
2 John 1:6 – This is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. (NIV)
Please pray with me:
Prayer: O Lord, as You enter my front door, I welcome You and look forward to serving You throughout the days ahead. Please enter my life each day and help me to share what I have with others throughout the day as I serve You with gladness. I am not a carpet cleaner; it is You Who cleans up my life in order that I may serve others in Your name. Thank You, Lord Jesus. Amen.
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Thanks for the challenge, Iris.
Thank you, Iris, for this reminder to be welcoming. Blessings.
Good word today Iris!
Blessings.
Thank you, Iris.
I particularly like the prayer and will share it with my study group.
Iris, thank you for reminding us that no matter our age or where we live, were can always be witness for Christ.
(TEXAS)
Good morning Iris – I love that God spoke to you through carpet cleaning! Your closing prayer is just so apt. Thank you again for your devotional ministry. God Bless you today and always.
Good morning, Iris. “The course of our day changes when we live by faith.” This is a powerful statement, and a powerful challenge. If we could all live by faith – truly live our faith – all day, every day… I think it would be a different world.
Thank you for your devotional this morning.
Blessings.
Thank you, Iris.
One of my besetting sins is, when busy with the newspaper work I feel impatient when someone calls me on a matter not related to business.
When I take time to listen and respond, the Lord somehow makes time to get all the business taken care of as well!
Hello, Iris,
Thank you for this reminder of how important it is to watch for opportunities to welcome others to our Lord’s fellowship. Here at my new home, I see many folk feeling disoriented, far from family and close friends. One of them, in hospital now, is struggling due to that loneliness and lack of physical comfort. I tried to assure her of God’s love and the meaningful gift of His Son, Jesus, to each of us now. Devotional material such as yours reaches many listening hearts, I know, Iris, and I thank our heavenly Father for you caring.
Grace and peace in your ongoing journey.
My Dear Iris.
Now that your carpets are clean, along with the porch, you can relax and enjoy doing whatever brings you joy to share with others. Every morning before I roll out of bed, I ask the Lord to make me a blessing to someone this day, no matter what and how it may be. I don’t even have to know. I know good and well that the Lord is using you in very special ways with all the retired folks where you are living. There are always those who have great difficulties feeling that is the end of their lives and no one really cares.
Bye for now, Iris, God loves you and so do I.
Thanks, Iris.
A wonderful reminder and a beautiful prayer!
Thank you always for your devotionals. It is so important to encourage others to live for Jesus.
Dear Iris,
What a precious, homey devotional that anyone can relate to!
Dear Lord, help us to keep our welcome mats visible and clean to welcome any one to our abodes to visit with the Lord and ourselves.
Make our homes a sanctuary where we share your presence.
Amen.