Tuesday – December 14th – Philemon 1:12-13 -----
1: 12 I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,
13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel.
The Daily Walk Bible inspirational thought for today:
FAITH IS THE DARING OF THE SOUL TO GO FARTHER THAN IT CAN SEE.*
Hello Tuesday. Wow – for those who caught my mental lapse with the whole Titus/Philemon mix-up the other day – kudos to you! Sometimes my mind is attempting to process way too many things and I guess I reverted back to Titus all the while I was writing about Philemon. This time of year probably contributes to my not knowing who’s on first. Since we have been recording Christmas stuff since the 30th of November and I am getting ready to preach a Christmas Eve message on Wednesday evening you can see the pathway to confusion. Yes, we are having a Travelers’ Christmas Eve Service on Wednesday December 15th at 7pm.This service is for those who will be traveling away or busy hosting a house full of extra people on December 24th. All the sights, sounds, and songs of Christmas Eve will fill the evening. Everyone is invited to join us now. and then join us again on the 24th as well. However, anyone who attends has to promise to keep the “Expect The Unexpected” surprise a secret until after Christmas Eve. Shhhhh.
In our pick verses today, Paul continues his plea for Philemon to accept Onesimus back into his household and back into the fellowship of the Colossian church community. Paul’s request is that by accepting back Onesimus, Philemon is also symbolically accepting Paul. Paul is doing the proper thing by sending Onesimus back without knowing exactly how Philemon will react. The full letter of the law could be enforced for a runaway slave and Onesimus could be on his way to a death sentence. To expand on his plea, Paul expressed his initial desire to have Onesimus stay and help in Rome but understood this action would take the decision out of Philemon’s hands. Paul’s addition of “on your behalf” was Paul’s hinting at Philemon’s obligation to honor and respect Paul’s request. Paul’s ability to craft a heartfelt letter of request, while including hints of compassion mixed with a well-placed command here and there, remind me that the folks in first century are as educated and intelligent as we are today. We didn’t invent being smart during our lifetime.
Blessings
Pastor Jim
Wednesday – December 15th – Philemon 1:14-15
*Tyndale. The Daily Walk Bible NLT (Daily Walk: Full Size) (Kindle Location 64698). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
1: 12 I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,
13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel.
The Daily Walk Bible inspirational thought for today:
FAITH IS THE DARING OF THE SOUL TO GO FARTHER THAN IT CAN SEE.*
Hello Tuesday. Wow – for those who caught my mental lapse with the whole Titus/Philemon mix-up the other day – kudos to you! Sometimes my mind is attempting to process way too many things and I guess I reverted back to Titus all the while I was writing about Philemon. This time of year probably contributes to my not knowing who’s on first. Since we have been recording Christmas stuff since the 30th of November and I am getting ready to preach a Christmas Eve message on Wednesday evening you can see the pathway to confusion. Yes, we are having a Travelers’ Christmas Eve Service on Wednesday December 15th at 7pm.This service is for those who will be traveling away or busy hosting a house full of extra people on December 24th. All the sights, sounds, and songs of Christmas Eve will fill the evening. Everyone is invited to join us now. and then join us again on the 24th as well. However, anyone who attends has to promise to keep the “Expect The Unexpected” surprise a secret until after Christmas Eve. Shhhhh.
In our pick verses today, Paul continues his plea for Philemon to accept Onesimus back into his household and back into the fellowship of the Colossian church community. Paul’s request is that by accepting back Onesimus, Philemon is also symbolically accepting Paul. Paul is doing the proper thing by sending Onesimus back without knowing exactly how Philemon will react. The full letter of the law could be enforced for a runaway slave and Onesimus could be on his way to a death sentence. To expand on his plea, Paul expressed his initial desire to have Onesimus stay and help in Rome but understood this action would take the decision out of Philemon’s hands. Paul’s addition of “on your behalf” was Paul’s hinting at Philemon’s obligation to honor and respect Paul’s request. Paul’s ability to craft a heartfelt letter of request, while including hints of compassion mixed with a well-placed command here and there, remind me that the folks in first century are as educated and intelligent as we are today. We didn’t invent being smart during our lifetime.
Blessings
Pastor Jim
Wednesday – December 15th – Philemon 1:14-15
*Tyndale. The Daily Walk Bible NLT (Daily Walk: Full Size) (Kindle Location 64698). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
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