Passage of the Day:
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 6 I 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. 7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people, Philemon 1:4-7.
Reflection:
Philemon was a first century Christian who the apostle Paul brought to faith in Christ during his time in Colossae. Yet, Philemon was also a slave owner of Onesimus, who abandoned Philemon. Faith becomes difficult when another Christian breaks your heart, disappoints you or lets you down. Paul is serving as a mediator between Philemon and Onesimus, seeking to restore their relationship now that Onesimus has also converted to Christ. Unfortunately, all Christians are flawed, Romans 3:23, with skeletons in own past that we don’t want anyone to know about. Perhaps, this is what Paul means by the expressions, working out your salvation.
Prayerful Action:
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose, Philippians 2:12-13.
Fueling your Faith this Spiritual Season:
There are times when I find myself comfortably numb, stuck in a pattern where I’m not excited about anything in life, including God. Like exercising, running or working out for the first time in a while, this can be a grind. Yet, part of a faith journey involves throwing off anything that is weighing you down spiritually, Hebrews 12:1-2. The more convicted I am by the power of the Holy Spirit, the greater my desire to want to change for the better. This is when faith becomes difficult, grinding through periods of life so that the abundant life is still within reach, John 10:10.
Song of the Day:
Final Thoughts:
All human beings have secret scars from their past which the Devil often exploits and brings to your attention. May the lyrics of Secret Scars help you get over the times in life when faith is difficult.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 