Hosting!

What happens when people make A VISIT. There are some visitors who overstay their welcome while others are made to feel very much at home no matter how long they stay. Some visitors bring a blessing to their host and may also leave a blessing behind when they leave. There are also times when someone will be angry with another and say, "I'm going to go pay them A VISIT and give them a piece of my mind." In such a case the host may be very reluctant to open the door.

When it was time for God to bless Abraham and Sarah with the child He had promised, we read. . .
"(1) THE LORD VISITED SARAH as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had promised. (2) AND SARAH CONCEIVED AND BORE ABRAHAM A SON in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him." ( Genesis 21:1-2 ESV)

All of what God had said He would do, He brought about. When it was the time, God fulfilled His promise. Here the plan was coming to fruition of the promise that through Abraham's seed, all nations of the earth would be blessed. ( Genesis 22:18)

GOD'S VISIT was an amazing thing. It brought blessing to Abraham and Sarah and also to us in Jesus being the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise. ( Galatians 3:16) When God pays A VISIT, things happen and His power is to be noted. However, when lives are not being lived in accordance with God's Will, that visitation can be in the form of punishment. (i.e. Exodus 32:33-34 )

What kind of host are we to God? Jesus noted God's desire in connection with our lives as follows:
"(23) Jesus answered him, 'If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and WE WILL COME TO HIM AND MAKE OUR HOME WITH HIM.'" ( John 14:23 ESV)

It is not merely A VISIT God desires, but rather an ongoing relationship with us. Are we living such that the Lord can feel at home in our life? Are we comfortable abiding in His presence? Do we desire His remaining with us, or would we rather He left and went home! If He is cramping our style, we need to take another look at the manner in which we are living. Though we find ourselves having to remove from our lives things not appropriate for His dwelling with us, may we always recognize the greatest blessing having Him constantly in our life provides.

Have a great day BEING A SUITABLE HABITATION FOR THE LORD!
Carl

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