Thought for the Day: Have you ever walked into a place and immediately felt that you were not welcomed there? The stares and cold shoulders were enough to make a polar bear shudder and the environment was not one in which you felt comfortable or even safe. In 1817, St. Stephens was named the territorial capital of Alabama. It had 2,500 citizens, was a bustling place, with mercantile stores, newspaper offices, doctors’ and lawyers’ offices, a plethora of amusements and 60 saloons – but not a single church. Lorenzo Dow, a Methodist itinerant preacher, intended to change that. But, he was not received with a welcome. His fervent preaching and condemnation of local sinners escaladed to the point that they “tarred and feathered” Dow, tied him to a log and sent him down the Tombigbee River. As he floated away downriver he was heard to say, “I curse this place! Very soon it will be haven only to bats, owls and snakes.” Within a short period of time, yellow fever came and the people in the town died. One family who had received Dow and given him food and shelter were spared. The town as a result became nothing but a home to bats, owls and snakes. Certainly, we would not want to welcome those into our home or city who would do harm; however, too often the good and righteous are not received with a warm and welcoming spirit. Throughout the Bible, as God’s people we are told to welcome people to Christ as we would welcome Christ Himself. So, we must not make the same mistake that St. Stephens made and become a haven for bats, owls and snakes. And, if not physically, we can become a place of spiritual desolation. There is great reward in receiving and welcoming people to Christ and welcoming those of Christ as well. Scripture for the Day: Romans 15:7 Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Let Us Pray: Lord, give me a welcoming spirit both to those who need to be welcomed to Christ and to those who are already His. Amen.
Posted on: Thu, 24 Jul 2014 12:41:45 +0000
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