Sunday, November 15, 2015

BROTHER SLAVE!

Today’s Reading: Philemon

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

Items displayed in an Israeli museum from the Roman occupation time period. Some of these items may have been used by a slave in serving his master. Slavery was a common social practice in the time of today’s reading.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verses: Philemon 15-16

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.

 

This was written as a personal letter in Paul’s own handwriting, a one-to-one letter to his friend Philemon whom he led to Christ several years before (19b). The letter had to do with a runaway slave named Onesimus, who had belonged to Philemon, perhaps before Philemon had become a believer in Jesus Christ. Now, Paul has found Onesimus in Rome and led him to receive Jesus as his Saviour and Lord.

The content of this short letter reveals that Paul had a great love for each of these men, master and slave. He knows that the love of Jesus, which changes everything, will alter their relationship forever. They are now linked in the Holy Spirit as true brothers! We learn from this letter that God’s love in Christ is the only means whereby we find true freedom, ultimate respect for each other, and genuine love! In another letter, not to an individual but to us all, Paul writes, “In lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3b). This is truly revolutionary!!!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father God, I thank You for Jesus, Your Son and my Saviour and Lord! He, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, is continuing the revolution in my life. I pray for grace to love others as Paul loved Philemon and Onesimus. I know that this is only possible by Your indwelling Holy Spirit. Fill me again, Holy Spirit, with the love of God, I pray fervently in the Name of the Person who loved all of us with a perfect love, Jesus Christ. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Paul’s personal letter to Philemon has inspired me throughout 53+ years of television ministry. The highest number of personal letters I wrote in any one day was 50. Most days I would average 10 letters. I would record them on what was called a dictaphone, and my secretary, Valerie James Battaglia (now these indispensable people are called assistants), would transcribe them; I would sign them, and then they would be mailed. For some of my letters she would take shorthand and then type them. Ron just calculated for me what may be true, that I’ve written over 100,000 personal letters through the years. Just to think of this makes me feel very much fulfilled. One personal letter, the memory of which I cherish, was in answer to a 14-year-old boy named David Boyd from St. Catherines, Ontario. David wrote to me in the late sixties asking for our Crossroads Bible Correspondence Course, which we used to offer to new believers. I remember marking his examination paper and giving him 100%. Later, after years of study and ordination as a minister, he became Dean of Men at the Bible College from which I had graduated years before. He helped found a Bible College in Israel, and much more!

Yours for the joy of personal letters, phone calls, e-mails, texts, etc.,

David

P.S. Here is the world’s oldest city gate through which one can still walk. It’s in the wall of a 4,000-year-old Canaanite city, Ashkelon. It dates to the time of Abraham. Pictured in front of the gate are some of my friends from a past tour to Israel.

7 thoughts on “Sunday, November 15, 2015

  1. Praise God for all our brothers and sisters in The Lord Jesus Christ
    Thank You David for all your life long stories from your heart God Bless You and keep you strong and going forward in The Lord as we are soldier s of The Cross of Our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ ♡♥♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♥♡♡♡♡♡♥♥♥♥♥

  2. What an inspiring message, this morning, David. We have gained a deeper understanding of Paul’s writing and what his letter to Philemon about Onesimus meant. It’s all about planting the seed of Christ. Your own letter writing to David Boyd who eventually would lead countless others to Christ, is another perfect example. Oh, the potential that each and every one of us has, as a flower in God’s garden on earth, to spread the seed for all to come to know, receive and blossom in the love, forgiveness and salvation of Christ, is beyond comprehension! We are in awe of You, Jesus! God bless you, dearest saints!

    At The Cross – Chris Tomlin (Passion 2014) Worship Song with Lyrics
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUvpBphq5og

  3. So great to see Paul’s love for his fellow man. Thanks for today’s study Rev. Mainse.
    Found this poem online about loving our neighbours as ourselves:
    Thy Neighbor As Thyself

    The greatest of all commandments,

    Given by God to mankind:

    “Love thy God, with all thy soul,

    And also all thy mind.”

    The second is like unto it:

    “Love thy neighbor as thyself.”

    But how do I love others,

    As much as I love myself?

    The answer to that question

    Is very easy to find,

    Just think of the love of our Savior

    When He died for all mankind.

    Remember that “our neighbor”

    It’s not just those next door.

    But all God’s children on the earth.

    That’s who His son died for.

    by Ron Tranmer
    Have a blessed day neighbours.

  4. Another inspiring blog again today from you David and fellow bloggers. Thanks. David Boyd was at Bible College here when I was David and on my first trip to Israel we visited that Bible College and David welcomed us and told us about the College there. Thank God for his life and ministry. Thinking and praying still for France.

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