Encourage

Philemon

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

Years ago, another pastor told me about his habit of keeping an "affirmation" file. Over the years, when anyone has sent along notes or thoughts of thanks, prayer and support, they've been placed in a plain manilla folder and filed in a drawer.

That file has become an in-case-of-emergency "memory bank" of sorts. When the hard days come, as they surely will, that pastor can physically look and find the refreshment that his soul needs. Encouragement doesn't have an expiration date.

Another wise Christian once told me, "God will send encouragers, just when you need them most." I witnessed the ministry of another pastor who has taken up note-writing and encouragement as a way of life. Nowhere in scripture does Jesus expect his disciples to be in this thing alone.

"Faith-sharing" sounds intimidating. It really doesn't have to be. Show someone a sign of love, encouragement and support today. Small things do matter, and you'll find your own heart "refreshed" along the way.

Prayer: Lord, may our witness for you be effective.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.
Scripture for Saturday (no blog, but a good place to go anyway!) Philemon 8-25

Scripture for Sunday: 1 Timothy 1:12-17
We'll see you at SOTH for worship this Sunday, 9 & 11 AM with Sunday School at 10 AM. Have a great weekend!