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January 18
Friday


THE
HOSPITALITY
MANAGER

READ:
Romans 12:9-21
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Distributing to the
needs of the saints,
given to hospitality.
__ Romans 12:13
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Victoria's family refers to her as the "hospitality manager" of their home. She lives in Singapore with her daughter and son-in-law. He is the RBC ministries international director, and they often have visitors. Victoria stays busy as a volunteer in the RBC office on that island nation, but her primary ministry is the gift of caring and hospitality. She makes their visitors feel welcome, loved, and cared for in their home.

The word hospitality means "love of strangers," and this is precisely what the apostle Paul was calling us to in Romans 12. In the midst of the practical challenges to believers about our relationship with God and one another, Paul said that we are to be "distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality" (v.13). This may call us outside our comfort zone to show love and care to those the Lord brings across our path. Hebrews 13:2 adds this intriguing thought about hospitality: "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels."

Often overlooked and sometimes unappreciated, the ministry of the "hospitality manager" is a great gift, and it brings with it the added possibility of surprising blessings along the way! __ Bill Crowder
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~My heart is filled, dear Lord, with love,~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~So let it show in words and deeds;~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~And help me share, in all my ways,~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~The overflow for others' needs. __ Hess~~~~~~~~~
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To stretch your soul, reach out with Jesus' love.

*************Today's Bible Reading __ Romans 12:9-21************

9 Let love be without
hypocrisy. Abhor what is
evil. Cling to what is good.

10 Be kindly affectionate to
one another with brotherly
love, in honor giving
preference to one another;

11 not lagging in diligence,
fervent in spirit, serving the
Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope,
patient in tribulation,
continuing steadfastly in
prayer; 13 distributing to the
needs of the saints, given to
hospitality.

14 Bless those who
persecute you; bless and do
not curse. 15 Rejoice with
those who rejoice, and
weep with those who weep.

16 Be of the same mind
toward one another. Do not
set your mind on high
things, but associate with
the humble. Do not be wise
in your own opinion.

17 Repay no one evil for
evil. Have regard for good
things in the sight of all
men. 18 If it is possible, as
much as depends on you,
live peaceably with all men.

19 Beloved, do not avenge
yourselves, but rather give
place to wrath; for it is
written, "Vengeance is
Mine, I will repay," says the
Lord. 20 Therefore ""If your
enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him a
drink; for in so doing you
will heap coals of fire on
his head."

21 Do not be overcome by
evil, but overcome evil with
good.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Xenophobia is an irrational fear of and contempt for foreigners. It
comes from the Greek words xenos for "foreigner" or "stranger,"
and phobos, meaning "fear." The word for hospitality is the exact
apposite of this. It means "the love of strangers." The believer is to
cultivate a caring response to those who are unfamiliar to us. __ HDF

Oh, I love this message. For me, it was greatly enhanced by the word study at the bottom -- I love word study. I love His Word too.

I don't know that I ever thought about the word "hospitality" in this deeper sense of the word -- involving strangers. Wow! God is so Good. He is ever faithful to reveal to us the things we need to know.

God bless you all,
Mack