Open Arms
Reading: 3 John 5-7
“Practise hospitality” (Rom 12:13)
Some are by nature very hospitable. Rebekah, even before her marriage, as a teenager was a hospitable girl, may be because her family was so (Gen 24:18,19). Sarah was ready to cook in her old age for untimely guests (Gen 18:6). Some of us, who frown at guests, need to practise hospitality and learn. It is not just what we serve, but the way we receive guests. Without showing partiality, whether our guest is rich or poor we should flash a friendly smile. The Indian custom is to just serve a glass of water, which does not go without reward (Mt 10:42). Then if necessary you can serve coffee, tea or snacks. Do not force your guests to eat. Talk pleasantly and send them off sweetly.
We must be well-known for our hospitality like Gaius who became the talk of the town for his good natured entertainment of believers (Rom 16:23). It is a quality required for leaders who are normally hard-pressed for time ( 1 Tim 3:2). It is especially expected of women (1 Tim 5:10). Nowadays because most women work outside the home, they find it hard to entertain guests. So have some snacks and drinks always ready at home (1 Pet 4:9). Lydia was a hospitable lady (Acts 16:15). It is good to train your children to entertain guests which will be a relief to you and an added virtue for growing children.
Once I noticed a beggar near a tea shop looking at the people drinking tea. So I bought him a tea and proceeded on my way. He quickly had his tea and started following me. When we were near a provision shop he called me. I thought he needed something else and went. He bought a biscuit packet and pressed it into my hands. I suppose, till today, that he was an angel. Even though nowadays it is risky to entertain strangers, we must do it on all possible occasions (Heb 13:2). We should also know the tactics of expertly saying good-bye to those who waste our time.
Gaius has another certificate to his credit. When brothers and sisters, strangers to him, came knocking at his door and told him that they were evangelists on their way, Gaius went out of the way to feed them and see to their comforts. John’s comment about this is that, that was the way we work together that the truth may spread (3 Jn 8). Let us practise and practise and improve till we become Gaiuses and Lydias for the Kingdom.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
Open Arms
Reading: 3 John 5-7
“Practise hospitality” (Rom 12:13)
Some are by nature very hospitable. Rebekah, even before her marriage, as a teenager was a hospitable girl, may be because her family was so (Gen 24:18,19). Sarah was ready to cook in her old age for untimely guests (Gen 18:6). Some of us, who frown at guests, need to practise hospitality and learn. It is not just what we serve, but the way we receive guests. Without showing partiality, whether our guest is rich or poor we should flash a friendly smile. The Indian custom is to just serve a glass of water, which does not go without reward (Mt 10:42). Then if necessary you can serve coffee, tea or snacks. Do not force your guests to eat. Talk pleasantly and send them off sweetly.
We must be well-known for our hospitality like Gaius who became the talk of the town for his good natured entertainment of believers (Rom 16:23). It is a quality required for leaders who are normally hard-pressed for time ( 1 Tim 3:2). It is especially expected of women (1 Tim 5:10). Nowadays because most women work outside the home, they find it hard to entertain guests. So have some snacks and drinks always ready at home (1 Pet 4:9). Lydia was a hospitable lady (Acts 16:15). It is good to train your children to entertain guests which will be a relief to you and an added virtue for growing children.
Once I noticed a beggar near a tea shop looking at the people drinking tea. So I bought him a tea and proceeded on my way. He quickly had his tea and started following me. When we were near a provision shop he called me. I thought he needed something else and went. He bought a biscuit packet and pressed it into my hands. I suppose, till today, that he was an angel. Even though nowadays it is risky to entertain strangers, we must do it on all possible occasions (Heb 13:2). We should also know the tactics of expertly saying good-bye to those who waste our time.
Gaius has another certificate to his credit. When brothers and sisters, strangers to him, came knocking at his door and told him that they were evangelists on their way, Gaius went out of the way to feed them and see to their comforts. John’s comment about this is that, that was the way we work together that the truth may spread (3 Jn 8). Let us practise and practise and improve till we become Gaiuses and Lydias for the Kingdom.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
