By Wayne Braudrick

“One day Elisha went to Shunem. A prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to eat some food. So whenever he passed by, he stopped there to eat. Then she said to her husband, “I know that the one who often passes by here is a holy man of God, so let’s make a small room upstairs and put a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp there for him. Whenever he comes, he can stay there.”
(2 Kings 4:8-10 HCSB)

We were discussing the amazing woman of Shunem and her persistent hospitality. The talk turned to how important hospitality is for our souls and for those whom we bless when we are hospitable. As the conversation continued, we began to think through the blockades to hospitable living. That reminded my sweetheart of a passage she read years ago in Rachel Crabb’s book The Personal Touch:

“Hospitality is … an other-centered engagement with people that comes as naturally as breathing to [the one trusting God] and … it’s goal should be to encourage others. … Giving encouragement is more important than many of us often realize. What we call psychological problems are, in most cases, the product of painful, self-centered relationships. People have been hurt, and they spend most of their energy seeing to it that they don’t get hurt again. Nothing breaks into that cycle … quite like loving encouragement.” – Larry Crabb and Rachel Crabb, The Personal Touch”

In response to that great insight, one of my friends said, “The Lord has shown me over the years how I built a tower of self-protection to which I habitually retreat when interactions with others disappoint me. I have to struggle to turn away from this response and pray for the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen me to engage in love.”

This friend fights that good fight beautifully, shining in hospitality like the Shunammite. Recognizing his struggle allows him to take the selfish/fearful thought captive and persist in hospitality instead.

What thoughts do we need to capture? What keeps you and me from giving of ourselves in hospitable love?

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Titles From This Author

By Wayne Braudrick

“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”
(2 Timothy 4:2 NASB)

Carpe Diem
Our church recently enjoyed its annual missions festival – a remarkable celebration of our missionaries and their work around the world. Thousands of lives are changed every year through their dedicated ministry, and it’s an honor to highlight their labor. We also learn about our upcoming mission trips and remind ourselves that each of us is a missionary in our society. In fact, this year’s festival focused on our lives as Jesus’ sent people in our own area, and Sunday morning I witnessed a marvelous example…

Josiah Rogers serves as one of our missionaries, leading Bible studies for and sharing Christ with students at the University of North Texas through Great Commission Ministries (GCM). On Sunday morning, I spied Josiah at his booth. He beamed at me and said:

Wayne, a high school girl just came by to chat. It was her first time to ever come to church and she wanted to talk about college. She noticed the photographs on our table and asked to see how we use them to share the gospel of Jesus. I demonstrated, and she shared that she had always wanted to be a Christian. However, she was worried about what would happen if she trusted Jesus and then later did wrong. I was able to explain the true doctrine of justification by grace to her. She then sat in the chair here and prayed her belief in Jesus.

All I could say was “praise God.” And as I walked away, I prayed that each of us would be that ready to live out who we really are – the ambassadors of Jesus.

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Titles From This Author

By Wayne Braudrick 

“Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang: When the leaders lead in Israel, when the people volunteer, praise the Lord.”
(Judges 5:1-2 HCSB)

Deborah encourages
One of the remarkable things about the OT Judge Deborah is her heart for God’s servant-leaders. She really cares that they prosper in God’s calling. Further, her passion to encourage leaders appears to play a big role in the positive change she helps usher into her culture.

While reading Judges 4-5 recently, I was struck by Deborah’s repeated delight in leaders who lead. Awed at her promotion of volunteerism and edification of leaders, I scribbled in my notes, “Is that true of us? Do the people who lead God’s people know we are for them?”

They should. Deborah’s character should be ours as well.

Fascinatingly, a few days after I wrote that note, I received two little gifts. One was a letter from a precious little girl that encouraged me to keep teaching truth.

The other was a paperweight from a man at church – a rock that has the word “courage” inscribed on it.

Obviously, I am blessed with friends who are like Deborah. They inspire courage and call God’s servant to lead. I pray that I am like that and that you are as well. As Deborah knew, when we inspire leaders and volunteer it leads many to “praise the Lord.”

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