A Good Word

Philemon vs. 19-25  ¹⁹I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. ²⁰I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. ²¹Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. ²²And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers. ²³Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. ²⁴And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers. ²⁵The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Isn’t it wonderful to anticipate the visit from friends or family?  As soon as we receive word of their soon-coming visit, we busy ourselves cooking and cleaning to make sure everything is “just right.”  Years ago when I used to visit my grandmother and great aunt in Dowling Park, there would always be a strawberry-rhubarb pie waiting for me.  I treasured those visits, and not just for the pie!

In today’s passage, Paul sends word to anticipate his visit.  This reminds me of another great word: ADVENT.  Indeed, the greatest anticipation for the Christian will be the second advent of Christ, when he returns to claim his faithful as his own.  It is for this event we daily prepare our lives through prayer, word, and deed.

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

Forgive us where we fail you, and forgive us when we allow our anticipation of Christ’s second Advent to dwindle and fade into the background of our busy lives. Rekindle the eager anticipation in us for the soon-coming return of your Son. In preparation, may all that we think, say, and do be what honors you.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion A Good Word was originally written for Sunday, May 23, 2010; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

 

A Good Man

Philemon vs. 8-18  ⁸Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, ⁹yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—¹⁰that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. ¹¹Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. ¹²I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. ¹³I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. ¹⁴But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced by would be voluntary. ¹⁵Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever—¹⁶no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the LORD. ¹⁷So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. ¹⁸If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.

Have you ever tried to remove the label from an object?  Isn’t it frustrating when remnants of paper are still adhered to the surface?  I have discovered a small dab of peanut butter can remove those sticky remnants of adhesive.  For the sinner, and remember, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God – Romans 3:23; it is the blood of Christ that removes the label of “sin” from our lives.  We each become a new person with a new purpose for life.

In today’s passage, we see the life of Onesimus changed from slavery to fellow saint.  Research tells us the name Onesimus actually means “useful.”  How interesting this good man was useful in name and actions.  As the blood of Christ cleanses you, and creates in you a new person, what new purposes will you find in which to be useful?

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

Thank you for the gift of your Son, whose blood cleanses us from every trace of sin.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion A Good Man was originally written for Saturday, May 22, 2010; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

 

A Good Reputation

Philemon vs. 1-7  ¹Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker—²also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home. ³Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ⁴I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, ⁵because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. ⁶I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. ⁷Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

It can be amusing when someone unknown to us is introduced and says, “Oh yes, I’ve heard a lot about you.”  Sometimes we sheepishly grin and reply, “I hope it’s all good!”  That moment reinforces the concept that true character is something you are when no one is watching.  Our reputations are built during times we are aware, but also during times we are unaware.  As Christians, we remember that others are watching our reactions and responses to life’s daily challenges.  Not only this, but others also watch to see how we interact with one another.

In today’s passage, Philemon is acknowledged as a person who “[has] refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.”  Can you think of a greater reputation to have than to be a person who refreshes the hearts of your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ?

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

Thank you for opportunities to love, encourage, and serve others. May we always be known as someone “who refreshes the hearts” of others.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion A Good Reputation was originally written for Friday, May 21, 2010; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.