Devo Week 23 - Discerning the Unseen Realm
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Matt.10:16
Angel Assignments in the Earth - Blessings in Disguise
Opening your home is like opening your heart. Some of my most significant conversations have happened around the table. A simple meal becomes life changing. That’s what happened to Abraham and Sarah when they welcomed three visitors into their home. (Gen. 18) Sometimes all it takes is creating space for change to take place.
WHO IS FOR US
When we are friendly and welcoming to guests and visitors, God’s blessing is there: Abraham and Sarah received the angel’s prophetic announcement regarding the future birth of their son Isaac; Rahab was divinely protected and included in the genealogy of Jesus after hosting the Hebrew spies; and Ruth’s life was changed forever by the hospitality of Naomi’s kinsman redeemer, Boaz.
Hospitality is a gift that derives from God and is the very nature of the Holy Spirit who is actively building us together into a dwelling place for God. (Eph 2:22) The writer of Hebrews also tells us to be mindful of the work of angels and relationships through hospitality, especially when dealing with strangers. (Heb. 13:2-3) Jesus even called hospitality a ‘weightier matter of the law.’ (Matt. 23:23) This doesn’t mean opening your home to everyone, all the time. We must discern each opportunity. We want to maintain healthy boundaries, while also staying relationally open to others.
WHO IS AGAINST US
Satan likes it when we stay isolated from others and keep our doors shut. He tempts us through distraction or busyness, making opportunities for hospitality seem inconvenient and less important. Satan works to stop the flow of God’s blessing through hospitality. Like the Good Samaritan who was moved with compassion, when we offer hospitality to others in unexpected, inconvenient moments, angelic activity can be released in our lives. (Luke 10:25-37)
We experienced this when the Akeu Village Chief asked if his daughter could come live with us. His request was unexpected and came at an inconvenient time for us, but we discerned the Lord’s leading in it. So, we risked it, and how blessed we were because we did! She became our person of peace for her village, and our relationships with her family continue until this day. The Kingdom of God expands through divine connections that come from simple acts of hospitality. It did for Abraham, and it can for us!
PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH
Lord, we pray for the gift and grace of hospitality in our lives as we relate with those around us. Pour out Your Holy Spirit into our hearts and homes. Release Your angelic activity through our acts of hospitality for the Kingdom. Help us stay focused and attentive to Your leading in relationships. We ask that all the works of the devil attempting to stop the flow of Your blessings through acts of hospitality would be bound and destroyed, in Jesus’ name, Amen!