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So Helpful Bible in one year: Judges 13–15 Luke 6:27–49 Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:13 Today's Scriptures & Insight: 1 Peter 4.7–11 The person who called the Christian radio station said his wife was returning home from the hospital after surgery. Then he shared something that spoke deeply to my heart: "Everyone in our church family has been very helpful in taking care of us during this time." When I heard this simple statement, it reminded me of the value and need for Christian hospitality and care. I began to think that the love and support of other believers is one of the greatest ways to demonstrate the life-changing power of the gospel. In First Peter, the Apostle was writing a letter to be distributed among the churches of the 1st century in what is now the country of Turkey. In this letter, he forced his readers to do something about what his friend Paul wrote in Romans 12:13: "Practice hospitality." Peter said, "Love yourself deeply. offer hospitality," and told them to use the gifts God gave them to "serve others" (1 Peter 4:8–10). These are clear instructions to all believers in Jesus on how we should treat believers. We all know people like that caller's wife, those who need someone to come together and show Christian concern and love. In the strength of God, let us be among those who stand out for being "so useful". Reflect & Pray What has God prepared you to do for those in need? How has God revealed His own hospitable nature? Love God, help me look around at people who need an encouraging word or action on my part. Then help me offer you hospitality. 
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We are blessed to be a blessing. I remember one time that I killed our refrigerator by stabbing it. I was making some frozen pies and there was ice on the bottom of the freezer, and instead of defrosting it properly, I tried to pry the ice off with a knife and broke through the coils. It was right before we were leaving for a week to attend church conference in Tulsa, so it was no problem to clear out the refrigerator and leave it while we were gone. At the conference, I told our pastor and his wife what I had done. The Sunday after we returned, at church he told the congregation about it and after church, a man told us that he had an older refrigerator that we could have, and even pick it up that afternoon. He said it would work until we got a newer one and then could be a second one. Another man came to us as we were leaving and said that his wife and he wanted to bless us with a refrigerator, but it would be a few days because we would have to go pick it out at the door and have it delivered. His wife met us at the store and paid for everything. Our church family was always doing things like that. Sometimes, we are the receiver, and sometimes, we are the giver. I prefer to be the latter, but without the former there can be no latter. Be a prism, spreading God's light and love, not a mirror reflecting the world's hatred.
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