Jesus once said, “it is better to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), but have you ever noticed with God that when you do give, you receive so much unexpected return? This month, we are painting portraits of the inviter, and one of the glorious blessings we have noticed among inviters is that they glean…
If you are anything like us, you recognize that God not only is a hospitable and welcoming God, but that He also charges us, as His image-bearers, to do likewise. And while we love receiving God’s hospitality, offering it to others can feel daunting in this fast-paced world where we live. That’s why we so…
While traveling a few weeks ago, I saw this image and just had to take a snapshot. There were profound messages in that scene. The black sheep looked so far removed from the herd, alone, isolated, and feeling the weighty stares of his herd-mates. I couldn’t help but ponder it. Do you ever feel like…
“And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” — Luke 15:20 ESV I sat on the ground, staring into my pink, Women’s Devotional Bible, reading that day’s message. Sitting in the…
Whether we are frequent students of God’s word or have barely opened the Bible, most of us have heard the term “Prodigal Son.” Jesus’s story of the Prodigal, or what some call Lost Son, is one of His most famous narratives from Scripture. If you are like me, you may have focused primarily on the…
Psalm 23 is one of the most familiar passages in Scripture, often recited at funerals or in times of trouble, grief, or uncertainty. Its words are familiar, comforting, and deeply personal. But, for me, there’s a particular line that jumps off the page: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”…
Last week we kicked off our series called Portrait of a Dinner Guest with a brief, perhaps seldom considered biographical sketch of Jesus as the guest. We learned that Jesus was invited to dinner many times during His earthly ministry. Sometimes others invited Him, sometimes He invited Himself, and a few times He even prepared the…
Have you ever experienced a dinner that was life-changing? Have you said yes to a simple dinner invitation, only to receive something far greater and long-lasting than the meal? We certainly have! For the next several weeks on this blog, we will be sharing our personal stories as dinner guests, and we will be painting…
If you want to understand God’s invitations more deeply and live with greater security and hope, we would love to stay connected.