June 20-21 (May 26) - Hebrews 13:1-5

For some reason this devotion didn’t get sent out to most of my groups. Therefore, I’m sending it again!

 

Let mutual love continue.

Do not neglect to show

hospitality to strangers, for by

doing that some have entertained

angels without knowing it.

Remember those who are in prison,

as though you were in prison with them;

those who are being tortured, as though

you yourselves were being tortured.

Let marriage be held in honor by all, and

let the marriage bed be kept undefiled ...

Keep your lives free from the love of money,

and be content with what you have

Hebrews 13:1-5

^NRSV

 

Today’s passage – except for a few words – is NOT about marriage. Rather, it’s about how to live an honorable Christian life.

 

·         Show love.

·         Be hospitable.

·         Visit the hurting and forgotten.

·         Honor marriages.

·         Don’t be materialistic.

 

Wait! Let’s turn that around … and make it be about marriage!

 

Let’s suggest that four of the ways to “honor marriage” in your house is to …

 

Show Love: The actual scripture verses say, “Let mutual love continue.” “Mutual love”?! Isn’t that exactly what marriage is? Isn’t that what family is? Isn’t that what being a good neighbor is? We should ideally practice love in our family and let it spill over into a lonely world.

 

Be Hospitable: Some people have the gift of hospitality. If you do, open your home! Very few of our friends will accept much of an invitation to church … but they’ll gladly accept an invitation to dinner at your home! Make your house a bit of a church. Welcome people. Pray. Be authentic – and when that means talking about Jesus, do that in an inviting way around the dinner table. And … if you don’t have the knack of opening your home … treat people to dinner at a restaurant.

 

Visit the Hurting and Forgotten: This is service. If you want to bless your marriage beyond navel-gazing-selfishness, serve! Now, there are plenty of ways to serve, visiting the hurting and forgotten is one of the most joyful and holy. The scripture talks about visiting prisoners and the persecuted. You can add the sick and elderly. Just serve!

 

Don’t Be Materialistic: This is powerful, powerful advice. Debt is a prison. Financial margin, on the other hand, is freedom. Being content with what you have brings peace, while chasing possessions causes slavery to the job, less time with family, and a host of mixed up priorities. Indeed, instead of bondage of materialism, try to cultivate instead the joy of generosity!

 

Question: Rank how well you do at each of these four life-blessing-attitudes and activities. What’s one tangible step you could take to enhance your life and family by heeding these calls?

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who’s writing this on a Tuesday

and is going home in an hour to clean

so a Tuesday night Bible Study

can come into my home

(Hospitality blesses our home!)