Philemon

Father God, thank you for with joy we shall draw from the wells of salvation. Thank you for the pleasure of reading and abiding in the Word in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Philemon 14 (NKJV)

"But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by complusion, as it were, voluntary."

Amen, thank you LORD.

In order to receive the full benefit of this sharing, I encourage you to read this very short epistle by the Apostle Paul. At this point, he is much older in his sharing of the gospel and is appealing to the believers to receive one of the ministers, Onesimus. At the same time, Apostle Paul desires for God's people to receive a full reward for a good deed that is done voluntarily and not by compulsion. Galatians 6:8 (NKJV) reminds us, that "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." These verses encourage one to reflect on the reason and motive of why you do what you do because God is a heart God. Honestly, I have found that it is also possible to go with the motions of living every day life without questioning why you may or may not do things a particular way.

I'll share an example from Scripture. In Luke 10:38-42, we are told of a story of two sisters, Martha and Mary. Martha was busy doing the right thing which is, getting food ready because Jesus had visited their home. So she was making sure everything was good and in order for Jesus unlike her sister who was doing nothing but sitting at Jesus' feet. At some point, Martha asks Jesus to tell her sister to come and help her with the chores and with Jesus at their house, one can only imagine the guests they had to entertain.

Now, considering this from a hospitality angle. When Jesus left that house, who do you think He felt closer to? Mary who was sitting at Jesus' feet, attentively listening to Him and spending time in conversation with Jesus or Martha who also really loved Jesus but was busy organizing, cleaning, cooking and getting things ready?

Believers who have the true spiritual gift of hospitality do not mainly focus on the outside things of menus and preparation of food, getting the house ready, cleaning the dishes or wondering what will happen when the guests leave later. As much as these things are important, the main focus of the host should be the joy of spending quality time with their guest.

May be this post got you wondering, why you do or may not do things a particular way. Thankfully, the Word of God shares a solution and promises to provide light in every dark area where our knowledge may fall short. Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) reminds us of the power of reading and meditating on the Bible and says, "For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."- AMEN.

I'll end with this Word found in Philemon 4-6 (NKJV)

4. "I thank God, making mention of you always in my prayers,

5. hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,

6. that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus."

   
   

Amen, thank you LORD.

Invitation to salvation: If you would like to receive Jesus and be born again into God's Kingdom, that is saved and have a personal relationship with God as Your Father and you as His child by receiving His Son, Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life, I invite you to say this confession:

"I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that; Jesus Christ, the Son of God came in a human body to die for my sins so that I could have a new life where I am dead to sin and alive to God. I repent of my past sins and enter the Kingdom of light where I choose relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and with God as my loving Father today and forever." AMEN.

GLORY TO GOD, You are now a new creation in Christ Jesus! In case you have not already, please read the book of Philemon alongside this sharing. God's Word is truly a blessing.