Pray the words of this Lazaroo aloud, with sold-out surrender:

“…do not take him into your house or welcome him.”
(2 John 1:10)

There’s a difference, isn’t there, Jesus?

Just because I’ve allowed someone to come into my house
doesn’t mean I’ve welcomed them.

I can do all the things a good host is supposed to do.
But just because my guest

sits on my couch
eats my food
sleeps in my bed
uses my toothpaste

doesn’t mean they feel welcome.

I might resent their presence
feel inconvenienced
wish they had stayed elsewhere
wonder when they’re going to leave.

I don’t have to say any of those things, do I?

They can feel it.

Wow.

The same thing is true of my home church, isn’t it?

Dear God.

That guest who walks in for the first time…
may I do more than merely allow them to enter.

Help me make them feel truly

welcome.

_________
Judges 19:16-21; Proverbs 23:6-8; Matthew 10:14-15; Mark 9:36-37; Luke 9:51-53; Acts 18:27; Philippians 2:29-30; Colossians 4:10; Philemon 1:17; 3 John 1:10

What is Lazaroo?

Take Me Deeper

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.