Encouraged

Have you ever had someone come to you when you were in a crises, put their arms around your shoulders and say, “I have been praying for you.” ?  These are wonderfully encouraging words.  What strength I feel when someone gives me a hug and says “I love and appreciate you.”

Hearts are refreshed through our expressions of affection.  Let someone know today that you love them (Philemon 1:7).

A Beautiful Vessel

Sometimes believers emphasis our unworthiness to the point that we can no longer see the beauty of God's creation in who he made us to be.  All we see is our failures.

Paul wrote, "That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus"  (Philemon 1:6).

Notice he said" to acknowledge every good thing in you in Christ"

Remember to worship God for what he has done in you and how he created you to be a beautiful vessel of his.

Faith Toward the Saints

Paul talks about Faith toward the The Lord Jesus Christ and the saints (fellow believers) (Philemon 1:5).  We understand faith toward The Lord Jesus, but how do we show faith toward saints?

Relationships of all kinds require faith including relationships with people in the church.  We have faith that God will work in us and through us, bringing his glory to those we know.  We have faith that church members have a desire to do good.  Most people do not set out to hurt others.  We handle situations as best we can, but are naturally prone to mistakes.

When we are aware of how often we have filed others, we find it easier to forgive those who fail us.

Something to think about

It looks like there were two other people who lived with Philemon. Apphia who most likely Philemon’s wife and Archippas, probably his son.  Philemon also hosted a church.

At the time of Jesus’ death and resurrection, the believers attended synagog.  But by the time Paul writes to Philemon, the persecution is so grey that believers had to either meet in secret and/or in homes.  Paul’s friend, as we know, was a wealthy man who had slaves.  But this man was not only rich in worldly goods, but that Philemon’s faith and love toward the Lord Jesus and the Saints was evident. (Philemon 1:5).

We often connect faith toward God as part and parcel of believing in God, but how do we have faith toward the Saints (fellow believers)?

Something to think about today.