As a child of God, one needs to focus more on what God wants him/her to do rather than on the blessings of God. As I study and meditate over the Book of Philemon I find out that “MOST” of us including me, are more concerned about God blessing on us than what we can do for Him by using the gift He has given us. We are too focused on the blessings of God that we lose focus of our duty to the great calling when it seems the blessings promised to us by God is delayed. This now makes us “come on and go off” in our relationship with the Lord of which makes us insensitive of our blessings of today. It also shows how ungrateful we are to God for not appreciating the answered prayers of the past. Lord have mercy upon me and everyone who is in this position in Jesus name…Amen!!
Apostle Paul was in prison yet he was writing to churches and individuals encouraging them to remain steadfast in God, and be committed to the right teaching. What a contrast to today’s Christians who will be praying all the time for their release without giving thought of sharing the gospel more or less encouraging other believers who are weak and are having one challenge or the other just like brother Philemon who was robbed by his run-away servant. In 1 Peter 5: 6 – 9, we are charged by Apostle Peter to stand firm always and never allow situations intimidate us no matter the force, that God is able to deliver us from all kinds of trouble,and for us to know that our fellow brothers and sisters in faith are also passing through similar challenges. Beloved many are dying and going to hell daily. In your place of work and business many are dying in silence, going through divorce; living in fear of the unknown, fear of dying with one sickness or losing a friend; going through depression, hungry and have no clue as to how to get their next meal….etc. God has called us not only to be blessed but also to be a blessing to others with the little and much He has provided us with. Apostle Paul was a man with many afflictions yet was not limited by it (Psalm 34: 19). Apostle Paul used every situation he found himself in to preach the gospel. Are you still lamenting because you have been betrayed, and you are finding it difficult to trust and help people? Beloved, I have been there times without number yet, God said I had to first of all pray for them and forgive them. I tell you my first experience, it took me three months to start praying for the person and another month to forgive. I believed I needed a level of trust in them so as to relate and work with them, not knowing that the Lord was using my pain to speak to an unbeliever in the church who is now a pastor. Imagine the pain Paul was going through, yet found time and strength to write to Philemon pleading with him to accept Onesimus. Paul also said he would pay back to Philemon what Onesimus had stolen from him when the Lord shall find it worthy for him to be released (Philemon 1: 8 – 22).
Beloved you may be going through one challenge or the other such as a bad week in the office, your house is about to be repossessed because of no income, your child is sick and you are called to answer query in your office for coming late; you go to the shop to buy groceries and found out that your wallet is lost. You went for a check-up and the doctor gave you a shocking news that you have a life threatening sickness, you happen to face the person who raped/abused you when you were a child in the church and he is the pastor of the church your friend took you to, and in all you feel it is the end of the world for you. I come to proclaim to you today, that God is able to keep you and will definitely take you through this storm and you will come out stronger in Jesus name….Amen!!(Isaiah 43: 1 – 4; Isaiah 40: 27 – 31). Apostle Paul is reminding us that in the midst of all life struggles and pain, we can remain focused on our calling, pray and forgive those who may have misunderstood us during our trying times. Let us help those in need and still trust God to give us victory without quitting (Job 42: 7 – 10). it is either you keep looking up to Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour and you soar high like an eagle or you keep looking at men and brood like a chicken. I believe that as christians we are created to be victorious. God’s word is our insurance, assurance and our miracle. God bless you.