A Quickie Packing a Punch
June 17
Only 25 verses in the whole New Testament Book of Philemon and it gets mighty sticky.
It is one thing to forgive and forget (forget that person every existed and don't deal with them anymore)! Paul's letter from prison, to his wealthy friend Philemon, steps it up ten notches! In prison Paul has met Onesimus, a runaway slave of Philemon. Paul is writing to his friend asking him to take his slave back and treat him even better than before; treat him like family or as he would if Paul was coming to visit. Paul even offers to pay if Onesimus has stolen anything from Philemon.
Paul packs a powerful punch in verse 21. Confident of your obedience, I write to your, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
Paul uses such a great psychological technique, like the college co-ed who calls home and says she is pregnant, making her parents gasp. Then she says she is just kidding, she only needs $5,000. The parent gladly gives the money due to sheer relief she is not pregnant.
Paul makes a tough request, but finishes up with the confident (hmm, maybe cocky) comment, "knowing you will do even more than I ask".
Let's think of that person we do not want to forgive. ___________________
You know you have a name for the blank. I carried one around for 20 years before I was able to lay it down. God could ask us to invite that person to go on summer vacation with us. He could ask us to have them to dinner, but for our own good, our health and for an unhindered path to our prayer life He asks us to begin by forgiving them in our hearts. Now be prepared for a test run...running into that person today! :)
Father, the depth and magnitude of Your forgiveness is incomprehensible for our minds. It hurts to think of how we disappoint You, yet You welcome us back into Your arms again and again. Who are we that we think we have the right to hold grudges, but in the same breathe receive Your mercy? Whew. You search us and see it all without x-ray machines or fancy unforgiveness detectors. Help heal us of our hurts today and realize there are voids in the lives of our offenders that break Your heart. Give us compassion for You as the grandest parent of all and keep us on our knees praying for Your children. Fill us with attitudes which give us grace to walk beside those who can be downright unpleasant, remembering they most likely see us in the same light! :) Thank You for the potential You see in us Lord. Thank You for the purpose You created for us, help us unravel any snags keeping us from that purpose today. May we pack a powerful punch on the enemy through our prayers and perseverance for the cause of Christ. In His name we pray, Amen
Only 25 verses in the whole New Testament Book of Philemon and it gets mighty sticky.
It is one thing to forgive and forget (forget that person every existed and don't deal with them anymore)! Paul's letter from prison, to his wealthy friend Philemon, steps it up ten notches! In prison Paul has met Onesimus, a runaway slave of Philemon. Paul is writing to his friend asking him to take his slave back and treat him even better than before; treat him like family or as he would if Paul was coming to visit. Paul even offers to pay if Onesimus has stolen anything from Philemon.
Paul packs a powerful punch in verse 21. Confident of your obedience, I write to your, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
Paul uses such a great psychological technique, like the college co-ed who calls home and says she is pregnant, making her parents gasp. Then she says she is just kidding, she only needs $5,000. The parent gladly gives the money due to sheer relief she is not pregnant.
Paul makes a tough request, but finishes up with the confident (hmm, maybe cocky) comment, "knowing you will do even more than I ask".
Let's think of that person we do not want to forgive. ___________________
You know you have a name for the blank. I carried one around for 20 years before I was able to lay it down. God could ask us to invite that person to go on summer vacation with us. He could ask us to have them to dinner, but for our own good, our health and for an unhindered path to our prayer life He asks us to begin by forgiving them in our hearts. Now be prepared for a test run...running into that person today! :)
Father, the depth and magnitude of Your forgiveness is incomprehensible for our minds. It hurts to think of how we disappoint You, yet You welcome us back into Your arms again and again. Who are we that we think we have the right to hold grudges, but in the same breathe receive Your mercy? Whew. You search us and see it all without x-ray machines or fancy unforgiveness detectors. Help heal us of our hurts today and realize there are voids in the lives of our offenders that break Your heart. Give us compassion for You as the grandest parent of all and keep us on our knees praying for Your children. Fill us with attitudes which give us grace to walk beside those who can be downright unpleasant, remembering they most likely see us in the same light! :) Thank You for the potential You see in us Lord. Thank You for the purpose You created for us, help us unravel any snags keeping us from that purpose today. May we pack a powerful punch on the enemy through our prayers and perseverance for the cause of Christ. In His name we pray, Amen
