Tag: put into action the generosity that comes from your faith

Morning Reading & Prayer: Sat, 23 Sep – Philemon ~ put into action the generosity that comes from your faith

Morning Reading & Prayer

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Please Read: Philemon (NLT) – click here

Greetings from Paul

Philemon (NLT) – This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.

I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker, and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer

I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.

Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus

That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.

I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.

I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf. But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced. It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, PAUL, WRITE THIS WITH MY OWN HAND: I WILL REPAY IT. AND I WON’T MENTION THAT YOU OWE ME YOUR VERY SOUL!

Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.

I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more! One more thing—please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon.

Paul’s Final Greetings

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
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Prayer: Heavenly Father – Show us  how to “practice what we preach.” Show us how to genuinely love you and your people; not just in theory, but in the practical realities of everyday life.

+ Every good thing we have comes from you – give us a spirit of gratitude and generosity.

+ Your love and comfort has filled us with joy – may our kindness refresh your people.

+ You have welcomed us home even when we were still far away – may we also welcome the lost and found.

+ You have set us free from the power of sin and death – use us to release the captives and set free the oppressed.

Heavenly Father – Make us more like your Son, that we may love and serve you as faithful witnesses to your mercy and grace – through Jesus Christ, in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Give Us Your Heart” – by The Emerging Sound of People & Songs


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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: Thu, 16 Mar – Philemon 6; James 4:6 ~ faithful friends

Thursday of the Second Week of Lent

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentences

Almighty God, you know that I have no power in myself to help myself: Keep me both outwardly in my body and inwardly in my soul, that I may be defended from all adversities which may happen to my body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt my soul; through Jesus Christ my Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Reading: Philemon 6 (NLT)

I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.
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Reading: James 4:6 (NLT)

God gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
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Prayer:

Faithful God: Thank you for making me your friend through the self-less life, death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ. He has shown me the cost of true love and friendship.

+ Lord, show me how to be a friend to those around me – at home, at work, at church, and in my neighborhood.
+ Lord, change my thinking from serving myself to serving the needs of those around me.
+ Lord, give me generosity of spirit that I may freely share the good things you have given me.
+ Lord, place within me a forgiving heart that I may willingly forgive the wrongdoing of others.
+ Lord, humble me before you and override my pride that I make take the initiative in reconciliation.
+ Lord, give me a spirit of faithfulness that I may keep faith with you and my friends no matter what happens.

Faithful God: You are my faithful friend, my best friend forever. Give me the grace and humility to show those closest to me the same faithful friendship I’ve received from you. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God. for ever and ever. Amen.
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“You’ve Got A Friend in Me” – Randy Newman


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Blessing

The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!