"Your Love Has Given Me Great Joy...."

            Have you had your Joy Juice today? Have you shared it with others?

            When we read the short book of Philemon, we should be encouraged and motivated.  Listen to Paul’s words as he wrote to his friend, a prominent and wealthy Christian man named Philemon. Verse 7 of the first chapter says:

^7 “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.”

            According to the customs of his time, Philemon was a slave-owner. His slave, Onesimus, escaped, went to Rome, became converted, and met Paul. When Paul realized what happened, he decided to write Philemon and encourage reconciliation and forgiveness between the two men.  Paul’s humility and love for both Philemon and Onesimus are evident and allow him to gracefully, yet boldly, mediate.

            What can we learn from Paul’s example?

• God uses willing people to bring about reconciliation and forgiveness.

•  Let’s remember that love, not judgment, must be the basis of our efforts to help others.

• Cover every situation in prayer and allow God to lead us and give us the right words at the right time…and to give others a receptive heart.

•  As believers in Jesus Christ, we should listen to the Holy Spirit and be obedient as He leads us to bring mutual respect, unity and reconciliation to others.

Oh, to hear the Lord whisper to us “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement because you have refreshed the hearts of my people.”