OUR DAILY BREAD 20 AUGUST 2024 DEVOTIONAL, TUESDAY ODB MESSAGE
Our Daily Bread 20 August 2024 Devotional TOPIC: Our Impact on Others
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: 3 John 1:1-8
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Psalms 105-106; 1 Corinthians 3
KEY VERSE: It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it.
TODAY’S INSIGHT(Our Daily Bread 20 August 2024)
Third John is a personal letter from “the elder” (1:1)—whom most scholars say is the apostle John—to Gaius. Gaius was a member of the church (most likely in Asia Minor) whom John commended for faithfully opening his home to “traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you” (v. 5 nlt). In contrast, John confronted Diotrephes, a proud and self-important person in the church, who was motivated by self-love and selfish ambition, and opposed hospitality toward itinerant (traveling) teachers (vv. 9-10).
Offering hospitality was a key concern because inns were unsafe and few in number. Paul urges us to “always be eager to practice hospitality” (Romans 12:13 nlt). The word for hospitality used here (philoxenia) means “love to strangers.” Peter encourages us to “continue to show deep love for each other . . . . Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay” (1 Peter 4:8-9 nlt).
Our Daily Bread 20 August 2024 Devotional – MESSAGE
When Dr. Lee, my seminary professor, noticed that Benjie, our school custodian, would be late in joining our lunch gathering, he quietly set aside a plate of food for him. As my classmates and I talked, Dr. Lee also quietly placed the last slice of rice cake on a dish for him—adding some grated coconut as a delicious topping. This kind act of an eminent theologian was one of many—and what I consider an overflow of Dr. Lee’s faithfulness to God. Twenty years later, the deep impression he made on me remains.
The apostle John had a dear friend who also left a deep impression on many believers. They talked about Gaius as one who was faithful to God and the Scriptures, continually walking in “the truth” (3 John 1:3). Gaius showed hospitality to traveling preachers of the gospel, even though they were strangers (v. 5). As a result, John said to him, “They have told the church about your love” (v. 6). Gaius’ faithfulness to God and to other believers in Jesus helped further the gospel.
The impact my teacher had on me and the impact Gaius had in his day are powerful reminders that we can leave an impact on others—one that God can use in drawing them to Christ. As we walk faithfully with God, let’s live and act in a way that helps other believers walk faithfully with Him too.
REFLECT: How do you know that you’re walking in the truth? What can others learn from your life?
PRAY: Dear God, I need Your help to be faithful to You and Your truth. Please help me to live in a manner that will draw others to You.
Our Daily Bread 20 August 2024 Devotional, Tuesday ODB Message. Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB) is a Christian organization founded by Dr. Martin De Haan in 1938. It is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with over 600 employees. It produces several devotional publications, including Our Daily Bread. our daily bread devotional for today audio our daily bread booklet.