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1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, 2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God 5 because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. 7 I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother. 8 For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, 9 yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. 10 I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me. 12 I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. 13 I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. 15 Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.(Philemon. Yep the whole book! NRSV)
A tremendous Tuesday be yours dear Friend! My prayers for a great and blessed day. As you pray, I would ask prayers for the brave souls from FUMC Gonzales who are joining Nellie and me on a tour of Greece tomorrow! We fly out from Austin to Frankfurt, then from there to Athens. We are nervous and excited! The exciting part for me are the sites where we will experience the places where Paul the Apostle made his defense of his faith in Christ Jesus and did his preaching. Pray for traveling mercies there and back. We shall return on the 14th. We are excited! (Next trip is next summer to Germany! Please let me know if you're interested in attending the every ten year Passion Play in Oberammegau, Germany! June 22-30, 2020)
Did you know you must read a whole book in the Bible? If you took the time to read or listen to the 21 verses of Philemon, you have read one complete book in the Holy Bible. Please pat yourself on the back and tell yourself what a good boy or girl you are! You may still not believe me, and that's quite natural since it has no chapters, just twenty-one verses. And yet, it is a very important epistle (letter) from Paul, already a prisoner and soon to be executed for his faith, and as he himself says, "an old man (v 9) (and something my letters and emails say more and more these days! Hey, you young people; don't laugh! It'll be here before you know it!).
The matter is a quite serious one. Philemon is a Christian, called by Paul "a brother, dear friend, and co-worker" in Jesus' ministry. And yet, he is a slave owner. Yes, gasp if you want to; it was a terrible practice at whatever point of history one finds it. And the issue that Paul wants to resolve is a runaway slave. The man was named Onesimus, and he was owned by Philemon. And it got to the point where one day Onesimus ran away and may have sought Paul because he knew of his heart and conviction for all things Jesus. Onesimus made his way to Paul's prison and served him there as a prayer partner and helper for the aging prisoner. Paul writes this letter informing Philemon that his slave is coming home, in hopes that he is no longer a slave but a "son" of the Apostle, and this letter pleads with Philemon to welcome him back not as a slave but now as a brother in Christ Jesus, and with the promise from Paul that he will pay him anything that he may still owe him. It's funny how Paul jabs gently, "I say nothing about your owing me even your own self." A jab between loving brothers is how I see it. And the closing that says, Philemon will "refresh" Paul's heart in Christ by doing the right thing with this runaway slave. Paul wants Philemon to forgive Onesimus so that reconciliation can take place.
We are not perfect people even though we bear the name of Christ as Christians; we are forgiven yet struggling daily with our sins, and yearning to be made more perfect today than yesterday with Christ's help. Our actions towards others can either refresh and renew others, or we can kill and destroy others. Our aim should be like Paul's, to bring reconciliation where it is needed and working to make more disciples. Christ goes with us and makes this possible!
PRAYER: Awesome God, bring to my heart the joy and boldness to work among all of Your people, especially those hurting and in need of healing. Make us workers of Christ, in Whose name we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Make someone smile with your love today!
Blessings of love,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
