Let's Talk About....

Listen to the word:  hospitality

Spell the word:  H-O-S-P-I-T-A-L-I-T-Y

Use the word in a sentence:  It was refreshing to be met with such hospitality after our long journey.

Hospitality is about:  treatment—reception—disposition.

It is defined as the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers. It’s also defined as the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.

God's Living Word has the following to say about hospitality:

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. ~ Romans 12:13 TNIV

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ~ 1 Peter 4:9 TNIV

It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. ~ 3 John 1:7-8 TNIV

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. ~ Hebrews 13:2 TNIV

Hospitality is more than opening your home to others. It’s about opening yourself to relationship with guests as well as that stranger in the store, on the street or sitting across from you in the doctor’s office. Some encounters only come once, seize them and make them memorable.

Now that I’ve given you some food for thought, go out into the world and smile at strangers, make polite conversation while you wait in line at the grocery store and if you’re really feeling it, extend an invitation of yourself in some meaningful way.  ~ XOXOXO—Kim

IN GOD WE TRUST

TRUST. . .

• One in which confidence is placed.

• A charge or duty  imposed in faith or confidence or as a condition of some relationship.

• Depend.

• To permit to stay or go or to do something without fear or misgiving.

• Rely on.

• To hope or expect confidently.

The United States motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" first appeared in 1864 on a two-cent coin due to increased religious sentiment which existing during the Civil War. It wasn't until July 30, 1956 that Congress passed a law making "IN GOD WE TRUST" the United States' national motto.

War is a state of conflict teamed with aggression and disruption. Today, both individuals and nations are fighting all types of wars:  war on crime; war on drugs; wars between nations; war against sickness; the list goes on and on. So, with all of these varying wars going on, is there a current increased religious sentiment? If not, why not?

Scripture reminds of this:

And the LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." ~ Job 2:2 TNIV

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ~ 1 Peter 5:8 TNIV

With full knowledge that this evil lurks among us, who can you trust?

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

~ Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson

As a citizen of the Kingdom, are you trusting in God? Rely on Him! ~ Kim

Lists Were Meant To Be...

In Their hearts human beings plan their course,

but the LORD establishes their steps.

~ Proverbs 16:9 TNIV

I glance at the list; it's overwhelming.

I can't find the list, I search to no avail.

I start a fresh list on a crisp piece of paper.

Oh, the sanctity and insanity of the list.

The list is me planning my course. Honestly, sometimes, my plans aren't realistic. If God were writing my list, it would be one half of what I cram onto that tiny post it note or recycled scrap of paper. So the list is AWOL and I'm left to search the recesses of my premenopausal mind for some shred of what was scribbled on the list. I write things down because I can't remember them and now, adding insult to the injury of my memory lapses, I can't remember where I put the list. So, I stop.....I cry out the the Master, "Oh, LORD establish my steps." I can make all the plans, all the lists that I want to. In the end, it is My Heavenly Father who guides my steps. Go where God sends you. Godspeed! ~ Kim

ASK!

Why do we put our human limitations on God?

Why do we doubt His faithfulness?

Why are we afraid to ask Him for anything?

I don’t have all the answers.

The Old Testament makes reference to a man named Jabez. That’s it, just this one mention of this particular man.

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested. ~ 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 NKJV

His name literally meant “he will cause pain.” He asked God with a believing heart for very specific things and God allowed his prayer to be fulfilled. What a great example of faith!

Through Scripture we are repeatedly reminded to ask God:

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ~ James 1:6 NIV

I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. ~ John 16:23b-24 NIV

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ~ 1 John 5:14 NIV

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. ~ John 15:7 NIV

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” ~ Luke 11:9-10 NIV

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” ~ Mark 11:24 TNIV

So, what’s holding you back? ASK! ~ Kim