Note for 2024/07/04

‭Philemon 1:1-25 KJV‬

[1] Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, [2] and to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: [3] grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [4] I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, [5] hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; [6] that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. [7] For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. [8] Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, [9] yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. [10] I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: [11] which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: [12] whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: [13] whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: [14] but without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. [15] For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; [16] not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? [17] If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. [18] If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; [19] I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. [20] Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. [21] Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. [22] But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. [23] There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; [24] Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. [25] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant.

https://bible.com/bible/1/phm.1.1-25.KJV

Have you ever made a mistake that shamed you at the church? Maybe a lapse in judgment, or overreaching in a matter? The Lord knows, I have made many mistakes; so, I am truly grateful for forgiveness in Jesus Christ and hopefully, I have learned the right lessons in all of that. Have you ever been in need of a second chance? How many times should we forgive, what was Jesus' answer to His Disciples, when asked this?

This letter is written to stand for one with another in the faith of Jesus Christ. A brother's love requested instead of love of a servant. And, Paul stands even for the debt that Onesimus might have built up, in an example of brotherly love. Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you. How true this rings in the bowels (inward parts, affections) of what we ought to do for one another.

How many "chances" have GOD given us? I am not merely talking about us personally but also generally, even since man's exit from Eden. You see, we want to be forgiven of our errors, but how slow are we to forgive one another, especially when the cost is high? Paul does not just stand for Onesimus, but even stands for his debt too, to have it placed to his account. It reminds me of the parable of the Good Samaritan. What is faith, when it meets action? What is faith, when it becomes costly? Then, I remember again the words of Christ, "what you have done for the least of these, you have done for me." In Salvation, how much are we indebted to Christ? See here how Paul's faith is put in action.

Friends, what do we learn from the Word of GOD, and by the testimonies of Christ's Apostles? I ask you, think about this deeply; is there a difference between forgiveness and tolerance? For tolerance evaporates when forgiveness is introduced in love. That, then, higher than tolerance, which stems from patience, while tolerance is much more than blame. What does the term, "Christ in you" mean? Do we not Edge on to perfection in righteousness, even towards the righteousness of Christ? What then, is the nature of the Holy Spirit? Yes! By their fruit shall we know them, right? How then shall we be known, what tree am I?

So you trust the Lord Jesus Christ for the reformation in you? Do you honestly believe that He is the Author and the finisher of your faith? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. And if we can trust Christ for our faith and salvation, can we trust him for the faith and salvation, even the deliverance and redemption of our brothers and sisters in the faith? What Paul does here for Onesimus, Christ did for him. And not just for Paul, but also for you and me, He took our debt upon Him at the cross. How much has Christ forgiven? Do we need a wrist band to remind us of what Jesus would do? Have we somehow forgotten the state in which we were when we came to the faith? Are we not still all lacking in our perfection?

What is mercy? What is grace? What is compassion and what constitutes forgiveness? Or, shall we keep book of evil? "Forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." Does that sound familiar? What then, did Christ say is the greatest love? Here, Paul shows us a measure of it, laying one's life down for a friend. Yes, we are brothers and sisters in the faith, but I ask you, are we friends?

Shalom

Verse of the Day Expanded

‭2 Corinthians 3:15-18 KJV‬

[15] But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. [16] Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. [17] Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. [18] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

https://bible.com/bible/1/2co.3.15-18.KJV

A Look at Psalms

From the sequential reading of another reading plan I follow

‭Psalm 88:1-18 KJV‬

[1] O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: [2] Let my prayer come before thee: Incline thine ear unto my cry; [3] For my soul is full of troubles: And my life draweth nigh unto the grave. [4] I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength: [5] Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, Whom thou rememberest no more: And they are cut off from thy hand. [6] Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, In darkness, in the deeps. [7] Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, And thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Selah. [8] Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; Thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, And I cannot come forth. [9] Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee. [10] Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? Shall the dead arise and praise thee? Selah. [11] Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? Or thy faithfulness in destruction? [12] Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? And thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? [13] But unto thee have I cried, O LORD; And in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee. [14] LORD, why castest thou off my soul? Why hidest thou thy face from me? [15] I am afflicted and ready to die From my youth up: While I suffer thy terrors I am distracted. [16] Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; Thy terrors have cut me off. [17] They came round about me daily like water; They compassed me about together. [18] Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, And mine acquaintance into darkness.

https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.88.1-18.KJV

Note in Perspective

Oh, friends, consider this prayer with the action of our Lord Jesus Christ, did He visit the grave? Hand in hand, what forgiveness has He brought to us? Even that the dead will be resurrected.

When we are pushed far out from loved ones, from our land and away from peace, may it bring repentance. May the Grace of GOD preserve our soul for His Glory.

Shalom

Listen To

07 03 2024 This Is How Your Father Sees You - Romans 11

By Mike from Around the World of COT

Duration: 2 hours 25 minutes 52 seconds

Link:

https://soundcloud.com/ouncil1archive/07-03-2024-this-is-how-your-father-sees-you-romans-11

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