.entertaining angels.

Today = Hebrews 13 + Exodus 18-19 + Proverbs 8

Well first, before I get into the passage, I just want to say how bless I am to have the Christian community I have here at RPI now. At the beginning of my freshman year, I had no inclination I would ever have good Christian friends, who challenge me and love me with Christ's love. But he has given me more than I had ever hoped for. It has been amazing getting involved with my church and with other groups and friends on campus. My only prayer now is that God would use me in these relationships to glorify Him.

Ok, so along the lines of this is Hebrews 13! Basically this chapter is chock full of amazingness. I would write the whole thing....but that would be excessively long. You should look it up though :) http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%2013&version=NIV

"Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." (Hebrews 13:1-3)

I am enamored and terrified of the thought of entertaining angels. I know that I definitely don't act in a way welcoming to angels, or even to humans for that matter, all the time. Not even close. But it's also a beautiful challenge. What an amazing thing that we are able to interact with angels?! Pretty cool. I'm pretty sure I've done just this before, but I had no clue at the time. Sometimes I'm glad for the way I interacted with these people, sometimes I'm so disappointed. But in every situation, there seems to be a pattern of them coming in the form of a child, an elderly woman, or someone not necessarily "regal." God did not come for the strong and righteous, but the weak, weary sinners.

I also love the last part, which is pretty self explanatory:

"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good  and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon. May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13:15-21)