Philemon 1-11
Paul wrote to Philemon, a slave owner and the owner of Onesimus more specifically, about Onesimus, a run-away slave who had run all the way to Rome where he had come in contact with Paul. That was it for Onesimus! He became a believer and ministered to Paul in an exceedingly helpful way. Even though he was a great comfort and help to Paul, Paul knew that he must send him back to his master, Philemon who was a believer as well.
Paul began the letter telling Philemon what he had heard about him: his love and faith toward Jesus and toward all the saints. He prayed for Philemon that his ministry would be effective and that he personally would grow to full knowledge. His love had blessed Paul's heart in so many ways, but especially because the hearts of the saints had been refreshed through him.
I love that phrase, the hearts of the saints had been refreshed through him. I wonder how many of us can attest to this. Have our lives refreshed the hearts of the saints that God has brought across our paths? Is that concept even in our thinking? In what possible ways could we refresh hearts. What comes to mind is multi-faceted: compassion, caring, gentleness in the way we handle people; giving, assisting, praying, and meeting needs in our actions; remembering and thinking about them, and formulating plans in our hearts and minds. If they are not in our hearts and minds, we have absolutely no way of refreshing them.
Father,
Help me be a refreshment to the hearts of other believers. Open my eyes to opportunities.
In Jesus name,
Amen
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