Wednesday – December 15th – Philemon 1:14-15 -----
1:14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.
15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever,
The Daily Walk Bible inspirational thought for today:
MORE CAN BE LEARNED FROM LIFE’S TRIALS THAN FROM ITS TRIUMPHS.*
Happy Wednesday to you! What a great day to be able to serve God as a representative of the Kingdom of Heaven! Our inspirational thought for today is one of those wisdom filled life lessons relevant no matter who you might be. I saw something very similar the other day which means God must be trying to get my attention around this matter. Instead of looking at our stumbling as potential failures we will be better served as seeing them as teaching moments. On the other hand, we also must resist the temptation that in our times of triumphs we jump in and take credit for what God has done. Humility to serve God is at the heart of our calling as fully committed followers of Jesus. What have your learned recently that will strengthen your walk and your witness?
In our pick verses today, Paul takes his request for Onesimus’ freedom to the next level. There are two very important reasons why Paul would not keep Onesimus with him in Rome. First, he did not have Philemon’s consent to take responsibility for Onesimus. Second, and more importantly, perhaps God would use this opportunity for Onesimus to be permanently with Philemon as a spiritual brother and not a slave. As a follower of Jesus our own right actions are always freely chosen and should not be done under duress, compulsion, or from a selfish motive. Even in the life of the church the course of harsh discipline should only be considered as a means of last resorts. When we first choose to be heavy handed in correcting a wayward believer, we have failed in using Christ’s methods of example, appeal, and gentle persuasion. How might this wisdom be applied in your life today, this week?
Blessings
Pastor Jim
Thursday – December 16th – Philemon 1:16
*Tyndale. The Daily Walk Bible NLT (Daily Walk: Full Size) (Kindle Locations 64756-64757). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
1:14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.
15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever,
The Daily Walk Bible inspirational thought for today:
MORE CAN BE LEARNED FROM LIFE’S TRIALS THAN FROM ITS TRIUMPHS.*
Happy Wednesday to you! What a great day to be able to serve God as a representative of the Kingdom of Heaven! Our inspirational thought for today is one of those wisdom filled life lessons relevant no matter who you might be. I saw something very similar the other day which means God must be trying to get my attention around this matter. Instead of looking at our stumbling as potential failures we will be better served as seeing them as teaching moments. On the other hand, we also must resist the temptation that in our times of triumphs we jump in and take credit for what God has done. Humility to serve God is at the heart of our calling as fully committed followers of Jesus. What have your learned recently that will strengthen your walk and your witness?
In our pick verses today, Paul takes his request for Onesimus’ freedom to the next level. There are two very important reasons why Paul would not keep Onesimus with him in Rome. First, he did not have Philemon’s consent to take responsibility for Onesimus. Second, and more importantly, perhaps God would use this opportunity for Onesimus to be permanently with Philemon as a spiritual brother and not a slave. As a follower of Jesus our own right actions are always freely chosen and should not be done under duress, compulsion, or from a selfish motive. Even in the life of the church the course of harsh discipline should only be considered as a means of last resorts. When we first choose to be heavy handed in correcting a wayward believer, we have failed in using Christ’s methods of example, appeal, and gentle persuasion. How might this wisdom be applied in your life today, this week?
Blessings
Pastor Jim
Thursday – December 16th – Philemon 1:16
*Tyndale. The Daily Walk Bible NLT (Daily Walk: Full Size) (Kindle Locations 64756-64757). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
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