“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” (I Peter 4:9, ESV) When I think of hospitality, I think of my mother. She was happiest when cooking a meal for someone or finding some small gift to give them as they left our home. I can’t remember Mom ever displaying “grumbling…
“So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. And he was lame in both his feet.” (II Samuel 9:13, NKJV) This is the story of an unlikely friendship, a promise made, a promise kept, and unexpected kindness. You can read the entire story in I…
Growing up in Sweden, I loved receiving visitors in our home. I associated visitors with gifts—boxes of chocolates, beautiful cakes, and flowers—and as the recipient, it was always such a joy. My room would be converted to a guestroom as needed. Often, guests left gifts. I fondly remember running to…
“And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.” Ruth 2:20 When Ruth…
“No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a washtub or shoves it under the bed. No, you set it up on a lamp stand so those who enter the room can see their way. We’re not keeping secrets; we’re telling them. We’re not hiding things; we’re bringing everything out…
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (I Thessalonians 5:11, ESV) Joses, whom his fellow believers called Barnabas, was an encourager. That’s how he obtained his nickname. Barnabas means “son of encouragement.” He was the kind of person we would all appreciate having as…
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” (I Peter 4:8, ESV) I recently read a statement that said, “As you move about this world, be more than just another passing face — be a source of grace” (author unknown). It reminded me that…
“A glad heart makes a cheerful face.” (Proverbs 15:13, ESV) I discovered something today. The word smile is not in the Bible, or at least not in the King James Version. It does appear a few times in other versions, but usually in supplication for God to smile (shine) upon…
“Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of…