Scripture: Philemon 1.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Philemon 1:4-7 (NLT)
⁴ I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon,
⁵ because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people.

⁶ And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.
⁷ Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

Verse 5 was especially encouraging to me. So often we hear all the gossip/bad/wrong doings about an individual, but I can’t remember the last time that I had someone approach me with the exciting news about how they may have found in a mutual friend such faith in the Lord and how they displayed such love for all of God’s people. It’s odd, but you just don’t hear good news like that being the theme of gossip when referring to someone else. I am a firm believer that for every bad thing we see in someone, there are probably 4 or 5 good things that we could say about them. I also believe that as we promote the good in folk, the more encouraged they will become and eventually they will be encouraged to seek God’s help to overcome the character flaws that they are probably not at all happy about. The other thing that I would encourage everyone with, is to look deep inside at self before talking about the weaknesses of a brother or sister. The Bible says that we should take the board out of our own eye before challenging a brother about the speck of dirt in their eye. Similarly, I believe that we should examine self for similar character flaws before running down a brother or sister about their problem areas. Love that brother into a right relationship with God and help him with his flaws that don’t meet with your approval. That will display real love on our behalf.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Lord Jesus, I realize how hard it is to stay focused on the good in someone. Please give me strength today to do a better job of this and to concentrate on the good qualities they possess. I am reminded that You have never made any ‘junk’. Please help me to not make ‘junk’ out of the special people You have made and have blessed me with getting to know. I have so many flaws of my own that I should concentrate on, instead of focusing on the work that must come from You to fix the flaws in others. Please help me to display the love that was exampled by You in all that You did here on earth and all that You continue to do for us. Even in our unworthy condition You love us each and every day, please help us to do the same for our brothers and sisters in the Lord.

 

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