PHILOXENOS: FOND OF GUESTS
Live Daily Footstool Devotional
Monday 11th September, 2023
Titus 1:7-8 KJVS - For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;8 But A LOVER OF HOSPITALITY, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate...
In order to be a good shepherd over God’s flock, you have to be willing to love strangers. You must have a character of always being ready to embrace new faces and strangers all the time. Pray that you will be able to make new friends and acquaintances.
The Greek word translated as "a lover of hospitality” is "Philoxenos”. I bet we are more familiar with the word " xenophobia” than we are with " philoxenos”, possibly because of certain events like the massacre of foreigners living in South Africa headlining the news in recent times.
Xenophobia is a fear or hatred for strangers and foreigners. Philoxenos is a love for strangers, a disposition to be hospitable and fond of guests.
Do you get jittery as yet when you suddenly find out that you have to receive a guest or two, yet you do not have enough resources to receive or cater for them? Have you felt absolutely unprepared when you suddenly have to receive a stranger into your home, feed them, accommodate them or give them money/ clothes/ beddings/ food? God wants you to make room in your life to accommodate strangers and always be read to host guests. Include a spare room in your dream home solely set apart for receiving guests. Don't spend all the money in your hand all the time on only you and yourself- allocate some to hospitality!
Hebrews 13:2 KJVS - Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
A life of philoxenos makes for a life full of experiences with the supernatural, and the entertainment of angels who are sent with divine messages and packages to deliver. Without an attitude and a readiness to receive strangers, we cannot successfully host the ministry of Jesus in our lives. Remember that Jesus was born in the home of someone who had a stable to spare for the hospitality of receiving a ' strange’ pregnant woman. Pray that God will help you to be happy to receive guests and love strangers. And be ready to do so, laying aside your fears, when the time comes.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thanks for Your Word. Please endow me with everything I need so I can be fond of guests. Make me happy always, not swinging moods and losing opportunities to entertain angels. Make me financially endowed, mentally sound and physically prepared to entertain and serve guests so that they will really feel cared for when they come to me, your humble servant, in Jesus mighty name. Help me overcome my own fears and inadequacies that make me unwilling to entertain unfamiliar faces, and also give me the grace to discern between wicked strangers and harmless ones in Jesus name. Amen.
Live!
Anastasia Bruce
Footstool Colour
