Hi how are you? I am well. This week my youngest son turned 28 so I am feeling my age a little bit only in years and not physically. It reminds me that I still have a lot to do before Jesus returns. Time seems to be going so fast. We are nearly at the end of January.
This week I want to talk about receiving in the context of loving God and loving others. The definition of receiving I want to focus on is in the context of welcoming or receiving.
When you go to a wedding, sometimes what they have is a receiving line. In essence, it means that the guests stand in line and welcome the bride and groom- they receive them into the wedding venue. This is how we should be with God and others.
With God, when we believe what Jesus did for us and repent of our sins, we receive salvation and receive Jesus in our hearts. Jesus said in Revelation 3:20 that He stands at the door and knocks. It is not a physical door but the door of our hearts and lives. Every day Jesus stands at the door and says can I come in today? When we open the door, we receive or welcome Him in. This is a great way to start your day.
What about receiving others? Both Jesus and James had much to say about this. James says in chapter 2 of his book, that if we welcome a rich man but ignore a poor man, that is not good. We need to welcome or receive anyone that comes in our Church no matter what they look like. That is the love of God shining through us.
What about outside the church? Jesus addressed this in the Good Samaritan story in Luke 10. This story is all about who is my neighbour? Who are the ones I am going to receive and assist? Is it the ones only in church or what about those we met in our daily lives? Jesus died for everyone no matter what they have done. It doesn’t excuse their behaviour but the love of God allows us to see others through the love of Jesus. Who is standing outside your circle that needs to be received by you and I?
This week let’s concentrate on our love walk with God and others. Let’s open our lives up to walk with God each day and then open up to receive those ones God wants us to have in our lives.
Have a blessed week and keep living the life God intended for you,
Bless you
Karen
Living the life God intended 