DCLM Daily Manna 17 December 2022 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Gains Of Hospitality
TOPIC: Gains Of Hospitality (DCLM Daily Manna 17 December 2022)
TEXT: 3 John 1:1-14 (KJV)
1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
7 Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.
KEY VERSE: “Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers” (3 John 1:5)
MESSAGE:
There is an interesting story told about England’s Queen Victoria. She loved being able to go out and be by herself, without being recognised, so she could mingle with ordinary people. To keep from being noticed, the queen would ‘dress down’ and go out all alone. On one of her walks, it began to rain and she knocked on the door of this old cottage to borrow an umbrella. Not recognising the queen, the elderly woman who answered the door lent her a beat-up umbrella. The next day, a royal messenger returned the lady’s umbrella and he said, “The Queen asked me to return your umbrella.” The elderly woman was heard to say, “If I had only known who it was, I would have given her my best.”
John, the apostle of love, wrote to Gaius to commend his love for the truth and his hospitality both to believers and strangers. Gaius was saluted for his care for the brethren, especially the visiting saints who were apparently unfamiliar to him but were nevertheless well taken care of and accommodated. These saints were on an evangelistic mission and came with a letter of introduction from Apostle John. But Diotrephes, a leader in the church, did not receive them. His action was condemned by the Scripture. The epistle concluded with an admonition to the brethren to follow good examples and continue in Christlike charity.
The world will not be convinced and won unto Christ if we do not show love. Besides, God loves the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son for its salvation.
We are commanded to love strangers and throw the doors of our homes and churches open to welcome people who are displaced and distressed. We are to give shelter to the homeless, food to the hungry and clothing to the naked while taking all necessary safety and security precautions.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Without love, the gospel will not sell.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Ezekiel 1-2
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
