WEEK 51 – DAY 3

HOSPITALITY: THE LORD’S HANDS AND HEART IN ACTION

Practice hospitality to one another (those of the household of faith). [Be hospitable, be a lover of strangers, with brotherly affection for the unknown guests, the foreigners, the poor, and all others who come your way who are of Christ’s body.] And [in each instance] do it ungrudgingly (cordially and graciously, without complaining but as representing Him). 1 Peter 4:9 (AMPC)

Opening one’s home to fellow believers was a common practice at the time this letter was penned, but Peter urges it to be done wholeheartedly, lovingly and not just because of custom. This was especially needed as believers were displaced because of persecution. Would we be ready to share our homes with brothers or sisters in similar circumstances? The time may come when this is again a necessity.

Recently, it looked as if we were going to need a place to stay for a couple of days. A hotel was out of the question because Susan needs a specialized hospital bed with a continuous airflow mattress to prevent pressure sores and other discomfort. Also, transferring her into and out of a hotel bed that would not be height adjustable would be extremely difficult. Christian friends of ours stepped up and offered to let us stay in their home. They would have needed to remove the bed in their guest room and move a television in for us, but they were willing to do the work to accommodate Susan’s needs. This is the body of Christ in action!

Lord, help us to be Your hands by offering hospitality to our brothers and sisters in Christ by opening our homes, providing a meal, helping with transportation, etc. Help us to do so willingly and not grudgingly out of Your love that flows through us by the Holy Spirit’s power.