DAY 57
DATE: 2/25/2013
Good Morning! My name is Sarah Herrold and I was asked to give you a devotional thought from the book of Philemon.
KEY VERSES:
1:15-18 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account.
REFLECTIONS:
Philemon was a personal letter written to a man named Philemon. It was a plea from Paul to receive one of his former slaves, Onesimus. Apparently Onesimus had stolen from Philemon and ran to Rome, where he met Paul and got saved. Now Paul is asking that Onesimus is received back to Philemon, not as a slave but as a brother.
This is a great story to teach your kiddos about reconciliation. It is always God’s will for people to be reconciled to each other, whether blood family or family in Christ. Paul was actually offering to pay for the wrongs of Onesimus in order to reconcile him to his owner. Wow!!! With Easter just around the corner it is a good reminder that 2000 years ago Jesus paid the price for our wrongs so that we could be reconciled to our “owner.”
APPLICATION:
Once you get saved it breaks down barriers. We don’t live in a class system like Paul was writing to, but if we aren’t careful, other walls like race, status, education, wealth, and personality can separate us from one another. God has called the church to unity, breaking down the walls and embracing your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Thank you for being a part of the Route 66 Challenge. Thanks for reading, and you have a blessed day.
In Christ,
Sarah
WHEN YOU GOT SAVED: 5 yrs. old
FAVORITE BIBLE CHARACTERS: Mary, Martha’s sister; Mary, Jesus’s mother
FAMILY: Paul (Husband), Chloe (10), Caleb (6), Carter (5)
OCCUPATION: Stay at home mom and wife
FAVORITE BOOK IN BIBLE: Psalms