DAY 1 – AUGUST 8

TITLE: “FELLOW WORKERS”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: Philemon 1-7

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: Philemon 1-2

Key Verse: “Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker.” Philemon 1:1

I am so very thankful that God is a faithful and patient teacher. When I was a pastor in my first church in Wilmington, California, I had the privilege of working alongside some very wonderful partners in ministry. I had several volunteer secretaries and office workers who typed sermon illustrations, categorized books and did a variety of church secretarial jobs that needed to be done. I had wonderful children’s and youth workers, as well as some outstanding musicians, who all volunteered their time and energy to the work of the Lord. As time went on, we developed a variety other partners in ministry, including lay pastors to help call on people. Even with all the volunteers that partnered with me in ministry, I had much to learn about how we really do need each other in the work of the Lord. God still had to teach me and remind me over and over again that we don’t have to do the work of the Lord alone. We are called to work together for His glory.

The Apostle Paul understood that he was not alone in ministry. He was a prisoner of the Lord, and was in prison when he wrote this, but he was not alone. He had his brother in Christ, Timothy, and others to partner with him. In Paul’s letters to him, Paul called Timothy a “true son in the faith.” I Timothy 1:2. He also had Philemon, who was a fellow worker in the things of God. In addition, we are told that Archippus was a fellow soldier in the work of the Lord. He was not a soldier in the Roman army, but a soldier in the army of Jesus Christ.

The only other person called a fellow soldier was Epaphroditus. Paul uses both the description of “fellow worker” and “fellow soldier” to describe him in Philippians 2:25. Both of these terms refer to others who partnered with him in the work of the Lord.

Paul had many others who were working in the harvest field with him, fellow workers who were in the “thick of the battle” with him. He was not alone. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now…” Philippians 1:3-5. Ministry was happening because others were partnering with him in the work of the gospel.

I am so thankful today that we are partners with one another in the work of the gospel. God provides others to join with us in the work of the Lord. In Christ, we are called to be fellow workers and solders together. May each one of us be faithful in doing our part in doing His work.

DAY 2 – AUGUST 9

TITLE: “GRACE AND PEACE”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: Philemon 1-7

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: Philemon 3

Key Verse: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philemon 1:3

This is the usual greeting of Paul to every person and every church to which he wrote. The danger of this familiar greeting is that we might not stop and reflect upon the “grace and peace that comes from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Take a few moments to reflect on the grace of God as you read the words to these powerful songs. The first is the Chris Tomlin arrangement we often sing in worship and the second is a hymn written by Annie J. Flint.

Amazing grace, How sweet the sound; That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found; Was blind, but now I see
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear; And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear; The hour I first believed

(refrain) My chains are gone I've been set free

My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood, His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be, As long as life endures (refrain)

Second Hymn about God’s Grace

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions, He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, He multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

DAY 3 – AUGUST 10

TITLE: “GIVE THANKS”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: Philemon 1-7

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: Philemon 4

Key Verse: “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers.”

Philemon 1:4

There are two characteristics in this verse from the life of Paul that call for our attention. The first is that of thankfulness. The Apostle Paul had a thankful heart for the people God brought into his life. He did not take the people partnering with him in ministry for granted. I appreciate the prayer of George Herbert, who prayed, “Thou who hast given so much to me, give one thing more-a grateful heart!” Paul was continually giving thanks to God.

Pastor and author, Warren Wiersbe tells about a ministerial student in Evanston, Illinois, who was part of a life-saving squad. In 1860, a ship went aground on the shore of Lake Michigan near Evanston, and Edward Spencer waded again and again into the frigid waters to rescue 17 passengers. In the process, his health was permanently damaged. Some years later, at his funeral, it was noted that not one of the people he rescued ever thanked him. Let us not be negligent in giving God thanks for His many blessings and gifts of grace.

The second characteristic is that of prayer. The Apostle Paul was a man of prayer. Concerning prayer, Paul instructed, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6.

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul wrote, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you…” Colossians 1:3. In his letter to Thessalonians, he wrote, “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.”

I Thessalonians 1:2. In the letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote, “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now…” Philippians 1:4-5. In his letter to the Ephesians, he wrote, “I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” Ephesians 1:16-17. In his letter to Rome, he wrote, “… I remember you in my prayers at all times;” Romans 1:9-10. Who are the people in your life that you need to intercede for in prayer? Renew your commitment to be a person of prayer who prayer for others.

Who are the people that you can give thanks to God for? Those people in your life that have been a source of blessing and encouragement in your life? Will you take time today to give God thanks? Renew your commitment to be thankful and to give God thanks.

“Give thanks, with a grateful heart

Give thanks, to the Holy One

Give thanks, for He’s given Jesus Christ His Son”

DAY 4 – AUGUST 11

TITLE: “WILL OTHERS HEAR ABOUT YOUR FAITH AND LOVE?”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: Philemon 1-7

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: Philemon 5-6

Key Verse: “because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.” Philemon 1:5

What is your spiritual reputation? The eleventh chapter of Hebrews has been called the Hall of Faith. It records brief accounts of several people throughout the Bible who were credited with having faith. Hebrews 11:2 introduces the Hall of Faith with these words, “This is what the ancients were commended for.” Those listed in the Hall of Faith had a reputation for being people of faith. That is what they were known for. What are you known for?

Timothy, who is mentioned in the book of Philemon, was a person with a good reputation. Acts 16:2 records, “The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.” How do others speak of you?

In his letter to the Romans, Paul acknowledges their reputation for being people of faith. He writes, “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.” Romans 1:8. In the closing chapter of his letter to the Romans, Paul writes about their reputation for being obedient. He wrote, “Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.” Romans 16:19. Do you have a reputation for being a person of faith and obedience?

The Thessalonians had a reputation for having a faith in God. Paul wrote, “The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia-your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.”

I Thessalonians 1:8-9. What do others hear about your faith?

The life of Philemon was a testimony. In this letter, Paul describes it in a beautiful way. Philemon had a spiritual reputation. Paul had heard about his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul had a love for all the saints that he had heard about. Philemon lived life in a way that brought honor and glory to God. His faith in Christ was obvious. His love was expressed in his actions. He lived for Jesus.

Will others hear about your faith in Jesus Christ this week? Will others hear about your love for the body of Christ this week? Take a few moments to reflect upon this prayer by John Henry Newman. “Lord, shine in me and so be in me that all with whom I come in contact may know thy presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus.”

DAY 5 – AUGUST 12

TITLE: “ENCOURAGEMENT”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: Philemon 1:1-7

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: Philemon 7

Key Verse: “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.” Philemon 1:7

Elizabeth Silance Ballard wrote a story awhile back about a teacher who had received numerous letters from a boy named Teddy Stallard. They were letters the teacher had grown to cherish deeply.

“She had not seen Teddy Stallard since he was a student in her fifth grade class fifteen years previously. She said, ‘It was early in my career, and I had only been teaching for two years. By the end of the first week, I knew he was hopelessly behind the others and I began to withdraw from him immediately. I took perverse pleasure in using my red pen to write, ‘Poor work!’ My attitude was obviously quite apparent to the class, for he quickly became the class “goat”, the outcast: the unlovable and the unloved.

As the Christmas holidays approached, I knew that Teddy would never catch up in time to be promoted to the sixth grade level. He would be a repeater.To justify myself, I went to his cumulative folder from time to time. He had very low grades for the first four years, but no grade failure. How he had made it, I didn’t know. I closed my mind to the personal remarks. First grade – Teddy shows promise by work and attitude, but has poor home situation. Second grade – Teddy could do better. Mother terminally ill. He receives little help at home. Third grade – Teddy is a pleasant boy. Helpful, but too serious. Slow learner. Mother passed away end of the year. Fourth grade – Very slow, but well behaved. Father shows no interest. ‘Well, they had passed him four times, but he will certainly repeat fifth grade! Do him good!’ I said to myself. The last day before the holiday arrived, I opened the gifts. His was a gaudy rhinestone bracelet with several stones missing and a small bottle of dime-store cologne-half empty, wrapped in a brown paper bag. When they had all left, he walked up to me, ‘You smell just like my mom,’ he said softly. ‘Her bracelet looks real pretty on you, too. I’m glad you liked it.’ He left quickly. I locked the door, sat down at my desk and wept, resolving to make up to Teddy what I had deliberately deprived him of – a teacher who cared.

I stayed every afternoon with Teddy from the end of Christmas holidays until the last day of school. Slowly, he caught up with the rest of the class and his final averages were among the highest in the class. I did not hear from Teddy until seven years later, when his first letter appeared in my mailbox. ‘Dear Miss Thompson, I just wanted you to be the first to know, I will be graduating second in my class next month. Very Truly Yours, Teddy Stallard.’ Four years later, Teddy’s second letter came. ‘Dear Miss Thompson, I wanted you to be the first to know. I was just informed that I will be graduating first in my class. The university has not been easy, but I liked it. Very Truly Yours,Teddy Stallard.’ And, now, today – Teddy’s third letter. ‘Dear Miss Thompson, I wanted you to be the first to know. As of today, I am Theodore Stallard, M.D. I’m going to be married in July, the 27^th, I wanted to ask if you could come and sit where Mom would sit as I have no family there as Dad died. Very Truly Yours, Teddy Stallard.’

Encouragement makes a difference. Who can you encourage today?