Household WELL “W” Welcomes in Jesus

Household WELL “W” – Welcomes In Jesus

Each week in January we will be looking at one of the letters in the word WELL to be reminded about how we can live out our calling as a household WELL. 

                                      WELL=  Welcomes In Jesus

                                                        Engages With Neighbors

                                                               Listens For Insight

                                                                    Loves To Try 

A Household Well Welcomes in Jesus

There are a number of ways you might read and interpret that statement, but the primary intention is gleaned from switching the last two words around, and by looking at the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:5-10.

5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.  – Luke 19:5-6 ESV

“Christ at Heart’s Door” by Warner Sallman

This is how scripture describes Zacchaeus, and how a home of disciples acts.  We’re not talking about a conversion event from unbelief to faith, but we’re talking about every moment of every day, a home centered on Jesus.  He is part of everything, he doesn’t need our invitation.  But, our attitudes and actions change when we actively participate WITH Jesus in everything we do.  We can welcome Jesus into every aspect of our home lives.  We can welcome Jesus into our meals together by giving God thanks, sharing a devotion, etc.  We can open our days together talking about where we need God to show up that day, and praying for eyes to see and feet and hands to move and work.  We can close the day with Jesus by asking where we have seen God through the day, by lifting up all our cares to Him in prayer.  We can participate with Jesus in what we watch on TV and the internet, giving Him thanks for rest and entertainment, and by asking Him what is being said about our culture, what the understandings, beliefs, and needs are, and how that compares to God’s Word.  We can participate as we play, as we parent, as we discipline, as we clean, as we cook, and as we prepare to spend time with others.  We, as a family unit, can help each other to know that our identity is secure in Christ, that we are so deeply, dearly loved and cared for.  And we can help each other know that we are eternally safe.  We can even get ready to participate with Jesus at work and school, by asking Him for the help we need, asking Him to show us what He is doing in our work and school, and looking to love others.  The list goes on and on.

In Deuteronomy 6:1-9 the greatest commandment is given (according to Jesus).

5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. – Deuteronomy 6:5-7 ESV

This is it.  A household WELL has Jesus at the center of everything they do, and they know He is with them.  They live out loving God with every fiber of their being, and the love they share is an extension of that.

In any moment we can ask, “Jesus, how are you filling my home with your love, and making this place a well where anyone who is thirsty can come and experience your life giving water?

I would love to hear what you learn as you continue to practice (or add in new practices) loving God as a household. Share are as a comment, or if you want to talk about it, email me at [email protected]

 

Teammates,

Matthew Wipperman

[email protected]

Pastor and D.M.M.

the Church