11062012

Philemon 1

Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

1 Greetings from Paul, a prisoner for Jesus Christ, and from Timothy, our brother.

To Philemon, our dear friend and worker with us. 2 Also to our sister Apphia, to Archippus, who serves with us in the Lord’s army, and to the church that meets in your home.

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

Philemon’s Love and Faith

4 I remember you in my prayers. And I always thank my God for you. 5 I thank God because I hear about the love you have for all of God’s holy people and the faith you have in the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that the faith you share will make you understand every blessing we have in Christ. 7 My brother, you have shown love to God’s people, and your help has greatly encouraged them. What a great joy and encouragement that has been to me.

Paul praising the Philemon of his faith and his love, he open his heart and also open this house for church. We can learn from him, open our heart and our house, touch peoples heart with God's love.

Accept Onesimus as a Brother

8 There is something that you should do. And because of the authority I have in Christ, I feel free to command you to do it. 9 But I am not commanding you; I am asking you to do it out of love. I, Paul, am an old man now, and I am a prisoner for Christ Jesus. 10 I am asking you for my son Onesimus. He became my son while I was in prison. 11 In the past he was useless to you. But now he has become useful [a] for both you and me.

Paul is a leader but he didn't commanding Philemon to accept that running slave, he want Philemon to do it out of love. We should learn form that. Paul is the modal we can learn from.

12 I am sending him back to you, but it’s as hard as losing part of myself. 13 I would like to keep him here to help me while I am still in prison for telling the Good News. By helping me here, he would be representing you. 14 But I did not want to do anything without asking you first. Then whatever you do for me will be what you want to do, not what I forced you to do.

What did Paul do? He bring that slave accept Jesus in prison and sent him back to the master and ask Philemon to forgive that slave had run away and now become Christ slave and accept him back as brother. We are Christian, we should forgive others as how God has forgiven us. Real forgiveness is that how we hope others to treat us ans we also need to forgive others as we hopes. Is that the person we forgive still not get your kindness treat?

15 Onesimus was separated from you for a short time. Maybe that happened so that you could have him back forever, 16 not to be just a slave, but better than a slave, to be a dear brother. That’s what he is to me. And I know he will mean even more to you, both as your slave and as one who shares your faith in the Lord.

we are the same in Christ. We are brother and sister no matter you are slave or master, any differ races, culture, position... There is no differences between that. How we treat our brother and sister that show how you treat our Christ.

17 If you accept me as your friend, then accept Onesimus back. Welcome him like you would welcome me. 18 If he has done any wrong to you or owes you anything, charge that to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this in my own handwriting: I will pay back anything Onesimus owes. And I will say nothing about what you owe me for your own life. 20 So, my brother, as a follower of the Lord please do this favor [b] for me. It would be such a great encouragement to me as your brother in Christ. 21 I write this letter knowing that you will do what I ask, and even more than I ask.

Paul is great. He tell Philemon that to charge on him as what Onesimus owe him. Paul sacrifice all that because of love and it encourage Onesimus and build his faith. Is that any new believer that need your sacrifice to help them? We should be happy if we have the chance to learn to give out something fto help others. Let's us support them with bible study, pray and advice.

22 Also, please prepare a room for me. I hope that God will answer your prayers and that I will be able to come and see you.

Today I woke up on 12 something. After had my bible study, I start praying to God. I pray that God could use me and sent me wherever place other needs me. I want to know more about God, I want to share about God's love. God, I'm here, just sent me.

I pray for the Aunty that have a checking at hosp. Her CEA reading is 8 if not mistake. When her son tell me about that, I got a shock and I just comfort them as I also not sure about the seriousness of that case. When I check though net, I found that's the reading she probably have cancer cell in her body. I get shock and feel bad. Keep praying for her is the only way I can do for her. God please heal her, but dont do it with what I wish, Just carry on with your will and I shall trust you. I trust that in Romans 8:28 We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. These are the people God chose, because that was his plan.

Another hand I pray for my CG leader. She having a backache that after she fall from the chair. When I pray for her, I remember a song that I learn from a pastor in a special healing service held at PG church.

You are the God , that healeth me.

you are the God my healer

you sent your words and heal my disease

you are the God my healer.

I sms her can ask her to sing while she need that healing from God. thanks God that give me wonderful time spending with him. Thanks God.

Finally I also pray for my future partner in my life. I ask God to prepare one that could love my Lord and God with all his heart and love me with God's love. Beside I still wish I could help him in serving God and work together with him to serve God. That's my God was busying writing my love story for me.