Tag Archives: Philemon

A Year 4 Transformation: Day 327-When Faith Becomes Difficult

Posted on November 20, 2024 by expressyourself4him

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

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Moving from Have to Toward Thank You

Posted on June 12, 2018 by expressyourself4him

The Emancipation Proclamation was announced by president Abraham Lincoln on September 22, 1862.  This document which freed slaves and criminalized future slave owners became law on January 1st, 1863.  Unfortunately, the news of this decree did not reach Texas for another year, keeping many African Americans enslaved well beyond this date.  When freedom finally arrived, individuals were able to move from have to toward thank you.

No longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord, Philemon 1:16.

During the first century, a man named Onesimus was a slave owner, overseeing a young man named Philemon.  Serving as a slave prepared Philemon to be a faithful servant of Paul.  Based upon the passage above, Paul came to see Philemon as a brother in Christ, not a slave.  Thus, Paul’s recognized his devotion behind to scenes to ensure the success of Paul’s missionary journeys.  Philemon moved beyond having to do something because he was forced to by Onesimus.  Rather, Philemon’s work was inspired by a spirit of thanksgiving.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you, 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

When anyone decides to leave their former way of life to follow Jesus, this transition doesn’t always mesh well.  Attitudes, behavior and habits are hard to break, especially for those who become addicted to harmful things.  Understanding grace, mercy and forgiveness seem easy, but where a have to desire enters this equation, joy can be lost.  Christians shouldn’t go the church, pray and read the Bible because they think they have to.  Rather, these spiritual disciplines should be done out of a spirit of gratitude, remembering that you have been saved by grace through faith.  May this blog convince you to move from a have to mentality toward a thankful heart.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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