“…Always be eager to practice hospitality” (Romans 12:13)
Paul’s exhortation to pursue hospitality reminds us that we should seek to be a blessing to others both personally and corporately. Being a blessing means we want to strengthen and build up someone else. We can bless others by affirming their value with encouraging words, acts of kindness, or gifts.
We recently held our annual Family Fall Festival in which we as a church seek to be a blessing to our community. There were many visitors to our campus who carried burdens. We had prayer volunteers who heard about those concerns and had the privilege of praying with them and offering a word of encouragement to them. There were families attending who needed the time to be a family. We provided a setting that was safe and allowed them to relax, laugh, and recharge. There were those who came who didn’t know Jesus. We had the opportunity to share the good news of Jesus, his love and sacrifice for their sins, the forgiveness of the those sins, and the life everlasting he gives.
To be a blessing requires intentionality and effort on our part, but it is worth our time and resources to know the gospel seed has been planted and see the smiles of gratitude because someone took the time to encourage them.
PRAYER PROMPT: Dear Lord, make us a blessing to someone today for your name’s sake. Amen.
Kevin Carrothers serves as pastor of Rochester FBC and president of IBSA.
Pastors, join the IBSA Pastors’ Prayer Room on Facebook. E-mail oweaver7307@gmail.com.