Throwing out the welcome mat

Years ago, I had a friend who was somewhat socially awkward. Conversations with him tended to have long, uncomfortable pauses. But, he loved having people in his home. He built his house specifically to allow for extending hospitality. There were two extra bedrooms and a large dining area, along with an over-sized kitchen. Every visit with him was enjoyable. Hospitality is an amazing gift. Some homes just say, “welcome, friend” from the moment you enter the door. It’s not just the meal that has been prepared or the towels laid out on the guest bed for you, it’s more. You can feel the love and acceptance of the host that says, “we’re glad you are here with us.”

A Christian who desires intimate communion with the Spirit, who wants Him to be ‘at home’ in his life, will be hospitable to Him. Are you hospitable to the Holy Spirit? Does the way you live extend a warm welcome to Him? The Scripture warns: "Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted." (Ephesians 4:30, The Message)

If we fill our lives with things that are focused on self-interest; if we are impure, given to filthy speech; if we clutter our hearts and minds with the stuff of entertainment, Ipods, and TV; we should not be surprised that we know little of His Presence. He will be grieved by our lack of hospitality!

I felt this yesterday as I was on a extended drive. I hit the Prime Country button on my Sirius radio. Mindlessly as the miles on I-80 rolled by, I hummed along with one song after another. An hour later when I turned it off to take a phone call, I realized that I felt very alone. Reflecting on that sense of isolation, I became conscious that I had spent an hour with people celebrating ‘friends in low places where the whiskey drowns and the beer chases my blues away,’ and other equally inspirational thoughts! I’d allowed myself to be immersed in songs about drunkenness, infidelity, and sorrow! Smile, if you will, at my words but I know what I felt and it was not the smile of God.

Hospitality requires choices that put the other person first. If God, the Holy Spirit, is first, we will throw out the welcome mat to Him, concerned that we do not grieve Him with our thoughts, words, and actions.

Here’s a word from the Word. It will teach you how to welcome the Spirit.
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-23, NIV)
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Holy Spirit Thou Art Welcome

Holy Spirit, Thou art welcome in this place.
Holy Spirit, Thou art welcome in this place.
Omnipotent Father of mercy and grace,
Thou art welcome in this place.


Lord, in Thy presence there's healing divine.
No other power can save, Lord, but Thine.
Holy Spirit, Thou art welcome in this place.
Thou art welcome in this place.


Fill all the hungry and empty within.
Restore us, Oh Father, revive us again.
Holy Spirit, Thou art welcome in this place.
Thou art welcome in this place.

Rambo, Dottie / Huntsinger, David
© 1977, 1983 John T. Benson Publishing Company (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067) / HeartWarming Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067)