Saturday 9 Sep 2017

September 9: Genesis 19:1-3

Key Verse: Genesis 19:3
But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate.

Devotion:
Have you ever been to a strange place and wondered what you were going to do or where you were going to go or stay? Going to a foreign country is always difficult, not least because we probably do not speak the same language, but also because of the differences in our surroundings and culture. People from other countries are quite different in the things they do, expect and want. When we go there for the first time, we do not know the customs, how people will react or much else other than what we have heard from others; being there is quite different.

Imagine what it is going to be like for people from other places when they come to visit your end of the world. Imagine how out of place they will feel and how they will have to worry about what they should be doing or where they should be going. Imagine how much you would enjoy someone coming up to you and asking if they could help you if you were in their place. Being as though we now have a global neighbourhood (one where others are only a flight away), being a good neighbour is no longer just seeing how people are next door, but how they are when they are in your country.

We are all able to help people out, not just when we see them in great need, but when we see them in circumstances when we think we would need help if we were in their shoes. Being able to step forward and offer a hand may well be all that is needed for them to enjoy their holiday or to feel welcome. Imagine how welcome people would feel in your church if they were greeted in a friendly way and made to feel at home. Imagine how much you would be doing to encourage them back into God's house and be closer to Him. We can reach people wherever we are and in every circumstance, we can encourage them to see how we want to be more like Christ and show everyone true brotherly love.

Points to Ponder:
Do you discourage some people from being your friends?

When was the last time you insisted on inviting someone to church?