Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Christ's invitation to hospitality
Romans 12:9-16
Vs 13 Contribute  to the needs of  the saints and seek to show hospitality.
                   In this scripture portion, the apostle  Paul  describes different ways  to practice  sincere  love in a Christian perspective, with sincerity,discernment, honoring others,  enthusiasm,  patience, generosity,  humility,  sympathy, kindness and hospitality.  When we are able to mix them together, they form God's love,  which is perfect  and  unconditional.  We  are called to  practice love to the fallen world.
                   Hospitality means  a friendly and  generous reception to invite  people into your life situations.  It also means  providing service to others with  a courteous, welcoming attitude, with a feel of  sharing and caring.      Hospitality in the  biblical perspective, is not sharing our wealth and  other resources only, but includes  sharing ourselves in love and  giving ourselves for help, comfort and companionship.
                   Abraham  in Old testament, was a model for hospitality because he entertained  three visitors graciously. It turned out  to be a blessing to him and Sarah. As said in the Bible, “Don't forget  to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2). 
                     New testament  also emphasizes  hospitality. Jesus  emphasized  the importance of hospitality to those  in need, those who are hungry, thirsty, a stranger, a God's servant, an evangelist, naked, sick or a prisoner.  Christ  has even warned that failure to do so will have eternal consequences on his second coming.  Paul includes hospitality as  qualification for a  Lord's servant, which needs to be practiced  to one another without complaining. Apostle John highly recommends Christians to show love and sharing to fellow believers and servants of God and even  to non believers who began their journey for the sake of Christ, so that  we may become co-workers with the truth. (3John 1:7-8). 
                      Therefore, as disciples of Lord Jesus, shall we follow and be obedient to his command to practice  sincere love and hospitality to a needy stranger.
PRAYER
Lord,  may your grace enable us to practice sincere love of Christ by showing hospitality to a  person in need. Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Can we pursue  hospitality as  a virtue, gift, and a calling?

Dr. John K. Thomas  Tabor MTC  Staten Island
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more