BROTHER SLAVE!
Today’s Reading: Philemon
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Items displayed in an Israeli museum from the Roman occupation time period. Some of these items may have been used by a slave in serving his master. Slavery was a common social practice in the time of today’s reading.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Philemon 15-16
For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 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.
This was written as a personal letter in Paul’s own handwriting, a one-to-one letter to his friend Philemon whom he led to Christ several years before (19b). The letter had to do with a runaway slave named Onesimus, who had belonged to Philemon, perhaps before Philemon had become a believer in Jesus Christ. Now, Paul has found Onesimus in Rome and led him to receive Jesus as his Saviour and Lord.
The content of this short letter reveals that Paul had a great love for each of these men, master and slave. He knows that the love of Jesus, which changes everything, will alter their relationship forever. They are now linked in the Holy Spirit as true brothers! We learn from this letter that God’s love in Christ is the only means whereby we find true freedom, ultimate respect for each other, and genuine love! In another letter, not to an individual but to us all, Paul writes, “In lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3b). This is truly revolutionary!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, I thank You for Jesus, Your Son and my Saviour and Lord! He, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, is continuing the revolution in my life. I pray for grace to love others as Paul loved Philemon and Onesimus. I know that this is only possible by Your indwelling Holy Spirit. Fill me again, Holy Spirit, with the love of God, I pray fervently in the Name of the Person who loved all of us with a perfect love, Jesus Christ. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Paul’s personal letter to Philemon has inspired me throughout 53+ years of television ministry. The highest number of personal letters I wrote in any one day was 50. Most days I would average 10 letters. I would record them on what was called a dictaphone, and my secretary, Valerie James Battaglia (now these indispensable people are called assistants), would transcribe them; I would sign them, and then they would be mailed. For some of my letters she would take shorthand and then type them. Ron just calculated for me what may be true, that I’ve written over 100,000 personal letters through the years. Just to think of this makes me feel very much fulfilled. One personal letter, the memory of which I cherish, was in answer to a 14-year-old boy named David Boyd from St. Catherines, Ontario. David wrote to me in the late sixties asking for our Crossroads Bible Correspondence Course, which we used to offer to new believers. I remember marking his examination paper and giving him 100%. Later, after years of study and ordination as a minister, he became Dean of Men at the Bible College from which I had graduated years before. He helped found a Bible College in Israel, and much more!
Yours for the joy of personal letters, phone calls, e-mails, texts, etc.,
David
P.S. Here is the world’s oldest city gate through which one can still walk. It’s in the wall of a 4,000-year-old Canaanite city, Ashkelon. It dates to the time of Abraham. Pictured in front of the gate are some of my friends from a past tour to Israel.
Sorry this is posted twice, yesterday, and today. Wishing all saints a blessed day in the Lord. May peace be on earth, as it is in heaven. Amen.
Be in My Presence
Be in My Presence,
Let me speak to you.
For I have much to tell you, my child.
If only you would have ears to listen.
You need not the love of humans, friend or foe.
Your worries need not rest on others’ acceptance of you.
Keep your eyes affixed on Me.
I will deliver a life of transformation in the making.
My light and love I give you with the blessing of your salvation.
Rest in peace in knowing the gifts I have for you.
Beverlee Kay
c. Nov 2017
It is worth reading again and again and again!!! Peace be with you all????
Amen! Kathie.
Amen Kathie !
These words are wonderful and do true. Thank you Beverlee.
I covet your prayers for little Judah, today he is at sick kids. He will start tomorrow and have a series of chemo over the weekend. It is a different kind so they don’t know how Judah will react to it. Thank you in advance for your prayers dear folks. Eleanor M.
Praying for little Judah that the new treatment would
help him get well, in Jesus precious Name, Amen!
agreeing in prayer with Joy, for little Judah!!!~
Oh Lord God, we bring baby Judah before You. Hold Him close, Lord. Be with the hands of medical staff who administer his chemo, tomorrow. Work a miracle through this chemo, that it heal him, quickly and completely. Breathe through Judah, Holy Spirit, that he may be well. Give him strength. Give him comfort. Give him rest. In Jesus’ precious Name. Amen, amen, and amen.
Yes, Amen and Amen agreeing with you in prayer for little Judah, for the Lord’s intervention!!!
Amen!
Agreeing with all the prayers for little Judah. Lord not our will, but your will be done. Amen
Dear sweet Judah
You are a very special little boy! GOD HAS SOMETHING VERY DYNAMIC PLANNED FOR YOU! You are being prepared to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the whole world and you will be able to share your life experiences with others and share how God Almighty touched your life and healed you COM0PLETELY, HE HEALED YOU FROM HEAD TO TOE! 100% healed!
We come with great boldness to the throne of our Lord God Almighty and we believe for a bolt of healing to touch your body, and you will be healed in Jesus Name!
amen amen amen
Thank you Beverlee for sharing!!
Thank you Ron and Ann for continuing your DAD’s blog I am so grateful for his daily spiritual words that start my day. It has been such a blessing to me thank you Blessings
Amen
Yes Thank you
Amen, indeed!
Enjoyed reading Paul’s letter to Philemon twice today. Praying for little Judah that he will do well with the new treatment tomorrow. Glad you posted your poem twice Beverlee as I wanted to say that it is very meaningful. Thank you dear sister. Had the privilege of attending Bible College with David Boyd and visiting him at the Bible College in Israel. Blessings saints.
Father God
I pray for Jodah that you would sorround him with Holy Spirit
give him your peace. Let him know that you are always with
hime I pray that these medication will work, and heal this
little boy in Jesus name
Amen
I love your poem Beverlee I hope you don’t mind if I copy it
on paper.
Lianne Hogg
How special it is when the Love of God is extended to a friend for a friend as Paul does in this letter to his friend Philimon!!!
Have a glorious day in the Lord all you saints…thanks for sharing!!