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"The Domino Effect" by Jay Trainer
Philemon 1:11 From: Sha’ul, a prisoner for the sake of the Messiah Yeshua, and brother Timothy
To: Our dear fellow-worker Philemon, 2 along with sister Apphia, our fellow-soldier Archippus and the congregation that gathers in your home:
3 Grace and shalom to you from God our Father and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah.
4 I thank my God every time I mention you in my prayers, Philemon, 5 for I am hearing about your love and commitment to the Lord Yeshua and to all God’s people. 6 I pray that the fellowship based on your commitment will produce full understanding of every good thing that is ours in union with the Messiah. 7 For your love has given me much joy and encouragement. Brother, you have refreshed the hearts of God’s people.
8 Therefore, I would not hesitate, in union with the Messiah, to direct you to do the thing you ought to do. 9 But since I Sha’ul, am the kind of person I am, an old man and now for the Messiah Yeshua’s sake a prisoner besides, I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. 10 My request to you concerns my son, of whom I became the father while here in prison, Onesimus. 11 His name means “useful,” and although he was once useless to you, he has now become most useful — not only to you but also to me;
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We can all think of that special person who made a lasting impression in our lives. It could be a parent, another family member, a pastor, a youth pastor, a friend, or another loved one. Regardless of who it was, we remember the content of that connection and the importance of what they poured into us. For them, it was always about giving and serving, instead of selfishly taking and serving their own desires.
In our interactions with others, we have the opportunity to be givers or takers. We can be people of influence who are living for something more important, or we can be self-centered in our approach to life and relationships with other people. When it comes to salvation and the ways of the Lord, we were always meant to serve and pass it on, never to stop with just one individual.
When we come to Jesus, we are part of something way beyond us. We join in His greater mission of reaching and rescuing those who need salvation. God's love is universally available, but not all people will respond favorably to it. Let’s be part of God’s domino effect of reaching others who need salvation–just like we needed it, too.
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We can all think of that special person who made a lasting impression in our lives. It could be a parent, another family member, a pastor, a youth pastor, a friend, or another loved one. Regardless of who it was, we remember the content of that connection and the importance of what they poured into us. For them, it was always about giving and serving, instead of selfishly taking and serving their own desires.
In our interactions with others, we have the opportunity to be givers or takers. We can be people of influence who are living for something more important, or we can be self-centered in our approach to life and relationships with other people. When it comes to salvation and the ways of the Lord, we were always meant to serve and pass it on, never to stop with just one individual.
When we come to Jesus, we are part of something way beyond us. We join in His greater mission of reaching and rescuing those who need salvation. God's love is universally available, but not all people will respond favorably to it. Let’s be part of God’s domino effect of reaching others who need salvation–just like we needed it, too.
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Hymn for Today: "I Love to Tell the Story" Katherine Hankey
1. I love to tell the story
of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory,
of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story,
because I know 'tis true;
it satisfies my longings
as nothing else can do.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story,
'twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.
2. I love to tell the story;
more wonderful it seems
than all the golden fancies
of all our golden dreams.
I love to tell the story,
it did so much for me;
and that is just the reason
I tell it now to thee.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story,
'twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.
3. I love to tell the story;
'tis pleasant to repeat
what seems, each time I tell it,
more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story,
for some have never heard
the message of salvation
from God's own holy Word.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story,
'twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.
4. I love to tell the story,
for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting
to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory,
I sing the new, new song,
'twill be the old, old story
that I have loved so long.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story,
'twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.
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Thought for Today: Romans 10:17 So trust comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through a word proclaimed about the Messiah.
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Please pray: For the Holy Spirit to empower believers in Eurasia to give generously of their time, talents, and treasure.
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Refelcting God of The Nazarene Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "Heavenly Difference-Makers" by Jay Trainer for Friday, 24 February 2017 with Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
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"Heavenly Difference-Makers" by Jay Trainer
1 Thessalonians 5:12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who are working hard among you, those who are guiding you in the Lord and confronting you in order to help you change. 13 Treat them with the highest regard and love because of the work they are doing. Live at peace among yourselves; 14 but we urge you, brothers, to confront those who are lazy, your aim being to help them change, to encourage the timid, to assist the weak, and to be patient with everyone.
15 See that no one repays evil for evil; on the contrary, always try to do good to each other, indeed, to everyone.
16 Always be joyful. 17 Pray regularly. 18 In everything give thanks, for this is what God wants from you who are united with the Messiah Yeshua.
19 Don’t quench the Spirit, 20 don’t despise inspired messages. 21 But do test everything — hold onto what is good, 22 but keep away from every form of evil.
23 May the God of shalom make you completely holy — may your entire spirit, soul and body be kept blameless for the coming of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. 24 The one calling you is faithful, and he will do it.
25 Brothers, keep praying for us.
26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
27 I charge you in the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
28 The grace of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah be with you.
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There are many things in our world that seem to provide hope and promise for the future, but, in the end, deliver very little. There might be immediate needs met, something satisfying in the short-term, but one is left longing for more. When we try to fill the void in our hearts with some pursuit other than God, inevitably, we will be disappointed.
Perhaps it is time to begin to look at the hope, meaning, and purpose only God can provide. Instead of trying to pattern ourselves after other people, perhaps it is time to surrender to the Person who already provides the example. We don't have to keep clamoring for a new way to do things.
Jesus already set forth this model and way of life. When it comes to Christ, not only do we have His model in the Bible, but we also have His presence and power to be experienced through the Holy Spirit today! It’s not just learning about how, but staying fresh by remaining in relationship with Jesus, seeing His example in our lives.
Remain vibrant in your walk with Him and you will never miss a beat being a difference-maker for God.
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Hymn for Today: "Take my Life and Let it be Consecrated" by Frances R. Havergal
1. Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise,
let them flow in endless praise.
2. Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.
3. Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee,
filled with messages from thee.
4. Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose,
every power as thou shalt choose.
5. Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne,
it shall be thy royal throne.
6. Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee.
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Thought for Today: John 17:3 And eternal life is this: to know you, the one true God, and him whom you sent, Yeshua the Messiah.
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Please pray: For the protection of volunteers who travel to minister in Eurasia.
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