Practice Hospitality

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,
for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
Hebrews 13:2

Hey guys!
It's Deeds, just SUPER excited to share a couple of MAJOR things going on right now! 
First, just this month, Sweet n Sassy Stamps released some beautiful #tb stamp sets.  Additionally, Korin Sutherland is putting together dream-like deals for the every-day-crafter and bible journaler.  Discounts, deals, and more!  But why?

Well, we're celebrating Sweet n Sassy's Stamps 11th birthday!  11 years old! 
You'll find all the information through videos and posts on the facebook page, the youtube channel and the website regarding the different ways we're celebrating - you don't want to miss out!

Something I've always struggled with is hospitality. Not, not, NOT my strong suit, and I have to work really hard at it.  Being an extrovert doesn't automatically make you a wonderful host and I've become all too aware of how little I practice the heart of God behind "hospitality." 

We read verse after verse in the inspired Word of God about this concept.  It's something that we see throughout scripture in various forms and styles.  We find accounts given to us as examples of God's intentions when it comes to hosting - which is more than just opening the doors of our house.

It's more than interesting to me when God places a "bug in my ear."  That "bug" tends to multiply, crowd, and take over the "free space" in my brain.  But gracious God always lends the helping hand of the Holy Spirit to truly impact and move.  This in turn places the conviction deep down, and I'm caused to visit this area time and again.

Hospitality is often a burden.  God never said it wouldn't be.  In fact, in ALL places of scripture, it's an inconvenient labor of love.  True, authentic, holy love.  It's administered via the belief in God's Word, and taking action on those beliefs.  It starts with the heart. 
So what does hospitality look like, according to scripture?

Hillary @creativefaithco provided a 26-day devotional to help us gear up for such a time as this - the Advent season - called, "The ABC's of Christmas."  Within the pages of this book, we have a letter attributed to something that relates to Christmas, along with scriptural prompts and simple challenges.

"H" is for Hospitality.  Obviously, during this time of year, the crazy of hosting and preparing our homes and lives is inevitable.  However, there's more to hospitality than simply opening the doors of our homes, and it's more than providing a fun place to sip, eat, and party with friends and relatives; it's being aware of the strangers and unknowns of our world and seeking to show them the openness and warmth of the Lord Jesus.  Hospitality in the Bible happens toward those who are otherwise outsiders, outcasts, those without, and those with need.

The process videoand devotion on my channel goes a little further into this, as well as my hopes for myself and my family this year in the matter of being hospitable.  What are your thoughts about hospitality?  Does opening your house seem bothersome when it comes to people you don't know?  If we think about God's idea and mode of hospitality, does that change our thinking at all? 

Much love,

Deeds