[Pastor Ralph]

Q1. (Hebrews 13:1-3) How do hospitality to strangers and visiting prisoners relate to brotherly love (philadelphia)? Where are you strong in brotherly love? Where are you weak?

[Commissioned]

Q1. (Hebrews 13:1-3) How do hospitality to strangers and visiting prisoners relate to brotherly love (philadelphia)?
We are to show hospitality to strangers and if those in prison are strangers we are to show the same privilege of our hospitality regardless of their plight. As a fellow Christian they also need to be encouraged, to receive exhortations and the unadulterated Word of God.

Where are you strong in brotherly love? Where are you weak?
I am strongest when I share with groups. I need to focus more on the one on one situations, these I shy away from. Though I still love them, it's that up close and personal that I need to do more.

[Helenmm]

All men are made in the image of God. We are all brothers and sisters and should respect each other whatever our status in life. According to the parable of the Good Samaritan we are to treat each other with love and concern regardless of status etc. We don't know who a stranger may be and, while using wisdom, we should treat the stranger as a brother or sister, with high regard (until proved unsafe) and worthy of our attention and hospitality. This is largely how the gospel will be spread, because Jesus said we would be known by our love for one another - and how may a stranger taste that love if we do not offer it to him? Hospitality is a fact of life if one is serious about spreading the gospel. The stranger and the prisoner are much in need of attention - so we offer it. It could be oneself in prison, or in need of hospitality, therefore I offer it. The wonderful rule for everything Christian is "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". If I were a prisoner, I would like ..... If I were a stranger in town I would like .......

I'm strong in brotherly love with regard for people in need until I find my interest abused and assumed. I've trained in counselling skills etc. I'm weak where I sense possible rejection, because that was so much part of my youth. It's difficult to overcome.

[Patricia A]

<H5 style="MARGIN: auto 0in">Q1. (Hebrews 13:1-3) Sacrifices Pleasing to God</H5> 1Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.

How do hospitality to strangers and visiting prisoners relate to brotherly love (philadelphia)?

Hospitality is a way of showing care, love and concern to others and this is what brotherly love is all about. When we love someone we do what we can to show our concern, consideration and want to make them comfortable and want to do the best for them.

Where are you strong in brotherly love? Where are you weak?

With God’s help, I have strived to reach out to others who are uncomfortable in social situations. I am asking God to help me be more aware of how to help those in poverty situations and those with low self esteem (who sometimes are disagreeable as a means of covering up their feeling of low self esteem).

[Tabatha]

Q1. (Hebrews 13:1-3) How do hospitality to strangers and visiting prisoners relate to brotherly love (philadelphia)? Where are you strong in brotherly love? Where are you weak?

Real love for others produce tangible actions : (1) Kindness to strangers ( 13:2 ) ( 2 ) empathy for those who are in prison and those who are mistreated. ( 13:3 ) ( 3 ) respect for your marriage vows; and contentment with what you have. Make sure that your love runs deep enough to affect your hospitality; empathy , fidelity, and contentment

Some people say they cannot be hospitable because their homes are not large enough or nice enough. But even if I have no more than a table and two chairs in a rented room, there are people who would be grateful to spend time in my home. Are there visitors to my church with whom I could share a meal? Do I know single people who would enjoy an evening of conversation? Is there any way my home could meet the needs of traveling missionaries? Hospitality simply means making other people feel comfortable and at home, I was asking myself these questions after reading the scriptures and I can say yes to all of them. I have done these things, but have become slack in them because of my health.

We are to have empathy for those in jails and prisons, also the families of those in these places. Jesus said that His true followers would represent Him as they visit those in prison. ( Matthew 25:26 ).

My Strong point in these areas are enjoying cooking food for the sick people, calling seniors, e-mailing cards to encourage people who are going through difficults times, praying for people and ministering to them over the phone. Having a bible study in the local jail.

My weak area is not liking to attend social events at the church. I don't like to be around a large crowd. I perfer small gatherings. When I attend a large function I freeze up and don't like to be envolved in idle chit chat. If it is about Jesus or the bible I have no problems.

[JustJeff]

God does not respect persons, neither should we. It is our obligation to love, as He does and as He showed on Calvary. Whether brother, sister or hatefilled enemy, love is the same.
The love I show and give comes from the Holy Spirit within and as contagious as it is, I have a long way to go before I love as Christ does.

[s8nfighter]

Q1. (Hebrews 13:1-3) How do hospitality to strangers and visiting prisoners relate to brotherly love (philadelphia)? Where are you strong in brotherly love? Where are you weak?

Hospitality to all is brotherly love... Whether it is a stranger in need or a person in jail who is paying debt to society or in jail because of no wrong doing except thier loyalty to Christ.
I am the strongest in brotherly love when it comes to sharing with others in need. I have little but share what I have because I know what it is to be hungry. I know what it is like to be judged for not having much and therefore I do not judge on appearence. I know what it is like to sin and therefor I do not judge the sinner. I know what forgiveness feels like so I forgive. When it comes to brotherly love those are my strong points.
My weakness is the anger I feel when I see people taken advantage of. I have no compassion for the preditor who pounces upon a person in distress because this is their weakest moment. Banks charge the most intrest to those who can least afford it and justify that by saying that the greater intrest is necessary because of the greater risk. Wouldn't a lower payment be less risky??? Hospitals give better care to those with better insurance and little or no care to those without. Wealth building evangelists take the last dime from a starving person promising hope while they eat like kings. I guess that is the weak point of my brotherly love. I just cannot tolerate people taking advantage of other people; esp. when it comes to the word of God.

Jer. 23:30 "Therefore," declares the Lord, "I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me. 31 Yes," declares the Lord, "I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, 'The Lord declares.' 32 Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams," declares the Lord. "They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least," declares the Lord." (NIV)

Darrell

[charisbarak]

We are to show hospitality to strangers because God said we should & that we may be entertaining angels some time! We need to encourage those who are down & out & even supply someone's needs. Those in jail need to have letters of hope written to them--especially Christian brothers & sisters. We can be witnesses of the love of Jesus at these times.

I have much growth needed to fully realize & be open to showing hospitality. It's rather hard with an unbelieving husband who is not a people person. Perhaps, one day, I will be in the position to invite others to my home. I guess God needs to grow me further first.....

[Nancy D.]

The rule to do unto others as you would have them do unto you helps us put ourselves in others's shoes and to treat them as you would like to be treated.

I am weakest when it comes to feeling I have been rejected as that is how I was treated as a child...and then I have trouble believing the other person REALLY WANTS to relate with me openly with love. But I nearly always treat others with as much love as I have to offer anyone a the moment.

[Stan]

Q1. (Hebrews 13:1-3) How do hospitality to strangers and visiting prisoners relate to brotherly love (philadelphia)? Where are you strong in brotherly love? Where are you weak?

It is the main form of love showing compassion was what Jesus did for all who were hurting and needed His help and He wants us to do the same show compassion to all who need us. I am not good at showing brotherly love to those I don't know. I know that Jesus show love to everyone but it's still hard for me. I need to reach out to those in need better than I do. Those I know in church or at work it is easier for me to show compassion to since I already know them and its easier to associate my need and wants towhat they might be in need of.

[masika]

Q1. (Hebrews 13:1-3) How do hospitality to strangers and visiting prisoners relate to brotherly love (philadelphia)? Where are you strong in brotherly love? Where are you weak?
Real Love for others produces tangile actions. Jesus said that His really followers would represent Him as they visit those in prisons. So we are to follow Jesus example if we want to be true Christians.

[PATJOE]

Q1. (Hebrews 13:1-3) How do hospitality to strangers and visiting prisoners relate to brotherly love (philadelphia)? Where are you strong in brotherly love? Where are you weak?

Hospitality to strangers is required by us, if we ourselves want to be treated warmly with hospitality. While on earth Jesus taught "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". The end product of obeying this is brotherly love. As Christians we also love each other,whether we have been persecuted and even imprisoned for our faith in God; or even if we were active criminally, imprisoned and found God in prison and turned our lives over to Him. I feel strong in brotherly love related to all of the above. I am still working on (with God's help) showing brotherly love to some very difficult people.

[Loisb]

Q1. (Hebrews 13:1-3) How do hospitality to strangers and visiting prisoners relate to brotherly love (philadelphia)? Where are you strong in brotherly love? Where are you weak?

1) We are to show love to strangers & visit prisoners, because we are to treat others as we want to be treated and we should be like one family. Everyone has faults and we should disregard them and love them just as they are with brotherly love.

2) I love being around people and I am a good listener. I love visiting the sick, hospitals and senior citizens. My heart goes out to these people.

3) Even though I love being around people, I am weak at speaking to groups. I am much better in one-on-one conversations. I am constantly nervous about being rejected by my listeners. I have been praying about improvement in this area.

[June]

Originally meaning blood family, today it means members of the Christian family. We are brothers and sisters in Christ.
Though I do not invite strangers to my home ----- I would feed any that came by and were hungry.
I do not visit the imprisoned. I give to the needy.
According to this passage I need to go under reconstruction.

[PCHRIS]

We, as Christians, should be showing brotherly love to all. Hospitality to strangers and visiting prisoners is part of that as the text shows we could be entertaining angels. We are not to shy away from doing these things even if it is just a smile to a stranger in the street all these things reflect the light of Christ in our lives.

My strong area would be I can start a conversation up with most people and talk about spiritual things and having comapssion for those who are socially rejected.

My weak point would be, and God is helping me to vanquish this, is sometimes I would start favouring someone, like spend extra time in discipleship or counselling, because of a certain gift they have, say in musical gifts, and I would go out of my way to help them. Hoping they will stay in our church and use their gifts.
It is very, very selfish and I am so thankful that God is changing my attitude in this thinking.

[Lisa Rupert]

Q1. (Hebrews 13:1-3) How do hospitality to strangers and visiting prisoners relate to brotherly love (philadelphia)?
Hospitality to strangers of all types is important because we are all children of God so that makes us each brothers and sisters in Christ strangers are our family. We should not judge one's misfortunes. We should love one another and leave the judgement to God for he is the only judge. We should visit the prisoners to help them with their faith. Reminding them that God loves them and is with them.

Where are you strong in brotherly love?
My strength in brotherly love is in loving people, all kinds of people, no matter what the situation, find the Good in it and wear the example of Christ with compassion and love towards a mislead, misguided mankind.

Where are you weak?
I wasn't always strong in brotherly love and it is something that I work at everyday. At the store, at work, or anywhere I might be, I try to show some love to my other brothers and sisters in Christ even if it is something as simple as a smile, a hello, or letting someone with fewer items go before me in the store. I try to find the Good, even though at times it is a challenge but with Christ leading me I always prevail.

[AngelOnLine]

Q1. (Hebrews 13:1-3) How do hospitality to strangers and visiting prisoners relate to brotherly love (Philadelphia)?
We should love others as we love ourselves. Jesus said, “that which you do unto the least of these, you do unto Me.” It doesn’t matter if they are friends or people we don’t know, we should love and care for them.

Where are you strong in brotherly love?
I’m better with small groups of two or three. I especially love our Senior Citizens and continually seek them out to show them that I care for them and love them.

Where are you weak?
I’m weakest at talking in front of large groups. I’m basically a shy person and prefer groups of two or three.

[Ms CJ]

Q1. (Hebrews 13:1-3) How do hospitality to strangers and visiting prisoners relate to brotherly love (philadelphia)? Where are you strong in brotherly love? Where are you weak?


How do hospitality to strangers and visiting prisoners relate to brotherly love (philadelphia)?

* "If one member suffers, all suffer together" (1 Corinthians 12:26).

Where are you strong in brotherly love?

* In ministry gifts for the people of God, saved, unsaved and fallen ones from grace
Administration gifts to the church to help the church grow and minister to the churched
and unchurched
Intercession prayer (pray for one another so they may be saved)
To allow God to help me enter into a place in the spirit and watch for
the heart of God for the Church and things ahead for the Church ( meaning
the Body of Christ as a whole)
Praying for our leaders in our nations that run our country and for our military
To keep a watch over our nation and the world we live in ( praying for one
another)
WE MUST LOVE THE WORLD WE LIVE IN ( SAVED OR UNSAVED AND MAKE A STAND FOR
CHRIST IN IT) IF WE LOVE CHRIST, THEN WE MUST LOVE THE WORLD AROUND US AS HE HAS
STILL DOES ( FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THE HE SENT HIS ONLY SON, SO NONE WOULD
PERSIH, BUT HAVE EVER LASTING LOVE)

Where are you weak?

* Letting myself get tried or discouraged doing the work of the ministry
* Watching the dead works of the religious
* Finding myself judging the pride in church leadership and seeing them
abuse the leadership and having clicks ( having to remember to love them)
* Wanting to help and love the weak and beaten up and sometimes giving to much
and suffering loss and disappointment
To God be the glory who gives us the victory! Amen

[Craig]

Brotherly love includes compassion, mercy and attentative ministry. Hospitality to strangers and ministering to prisoners is an expression of brotherly of love in action -- a true act of caring and concern for the welfare and well-being of others.

My strength in brotherly love is reflected in jail ministry; nursing home ministry; family home ministries; community kids ministries and a general seeking to minister to others as God leads. As a Pastor I actively seek out people to minister to.

I'm weak in brotherly love in regards to those Christians who won't permit "God to be their God", and know better, while facing economic, relationship, health, etc. issues. People who will cry and wine, but will not make active moves to change the direction of their lives.

[Don W]

Hospitality to strangers and visiting prisoners relates to one form of demonstrating brotherly love to other Christians as well as non-Christians so that we might demonstrate the grace of God’s love through us to them. The only precaution I know from God’s Word is not to entertain those with false doctrines in your house: “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine (the doctrine of Christ mentioned in verse 9), do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds” (2 John 9-11). I don’t think that these verses mean that if one with a false gospel comes to our door we can’t present the gospel to them, but we’re not to invite them in and entertain them as if they were fellow-believers. I am fairly strong in showing brotherly (and sisterly) love to those I know in and outside of the church I attend, and I picked that particular church because she showed a lot of love to me when I was a stranger to them (and the church I attended for over a year before changing churches, I never met anyone there except the 2 church pastors—the exact opposite of the one I’m attending now), as well as I believe in the more formal church doctrine. I am weakest in the area of hospitality, namely because I am alone now and living in a small condo that doesn’t have room for any other person (and also I’m a lousy house-keeper). But before my ex-wife left me to go back to Washington, she was strong in the area of hospitality so we had many people over from church as well as people she met from attending the local community college, etc. I guess I didn’t learn from her hospitality so this is one area I need to work on in my life, but I do go out once in awhile with a person or couple to have lunch or dinner at a restaurant and am hospitable to them at that time, but don’t really consider hospitality one of my foremost gifts from the Holy Spirit. I don’t think that there is any case in the New Testament in which a believer actually entertained an angel from heaven in his home but I guess it could have happened and just was not written down in the Word of God. I could be wrong in this because this passage does mention that this has happened unknowingly to some believers. It would be a wonderful thing to have happen to anyone of us, I would think!