Philemon_1

Scripture  

Philemon 1:9-10  yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.

Observation-What does it say?  

The author of this letter is clearly stated as none other than Paul.  It was written to Philemon, who is a slave owner and a member of the church in Colossae.  Paul, writing this letter on behalf of Onesimus, is making an appeal for his forgiveness.  Onesimus, a former slave of Philemon, “had apparently stolen from him and then run away, which under Roman law was punishable by death” (Zondervan NASB Study Bible, 1999).  In writing the letter, Paul took his time getting to the point, using the first portion of the letter to appeal to Onesimus’ lighter side.  After establishing rapport, Paul then makes his request, the forgiveness of wrong doing.

Understanding-What does it mean?  

Most of my life, I have tried to be self-reliant.  I have always wanted to be the kind of person that doesn’t need to rely on anyone else.  There are, I’m sure, a number of deep seated reasons from my childhood, of which I should probably seek counseling for, that bring this feeling about.  But, regardless of where it comes from, more often than I should, I try to be the stoic who puts his nose to the grindstone and just continues on, instead of asking for help.

That was, until I found myself in a position at work where I was in need of an advocate.  In my field, wrongs doings are documented and not quickly forgotten.  So after committing a violation of policy, I accepted my punishment and attempted to carry on as if that were the end of it.  I quickly found out the importance of having an advocate.  As I attempted to put in for transfers, special assignments, and collateral duties, I was met with the same answer on many occasions, “We would like to have you, but you have discipline in your background.”  After hearing this for about the tenth time (I’m a slow learner), I realized the importance of having an advocate, someone to vouch for your personality, work ethic, and sometimes your remorse.

Paul was acting as Onesimus’ advocate, in much the same way Jesus acts as our advocate to our father.  Jesus, in his humility, suffered greatly on the cross to ensure our debt of sin was payed.  He then approaches The Father as our advocate, realizing that we cannot speak for ourselves and ensuring we have an audience with God.  

At work, I had to humble myself, change my pig headed ways, and ask for someone to vouch for me in order to move past a failure.  In life, I have to humble myself, change my pig headed ways, and ask Jesus to completely cover all of my sin.  In Micah 7:18-19 we read, “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.  You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”

Life Application  

Jesus, I want to run to you before it’s too late.  When I have made a wrong turn, help me to run to you who is quick to forgive and delights in mercy.  Help me to also act as an advocate for the lost and hurting, in order to help show the love that you have poured out on me.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqSz6URsPro

 

-Tyler Galloway

2 Chronicles_16

Scripture2 Chronicles 16:9 “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him…”Observation 

2 Chronicles 16:1 In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign, King Baasha of Israel invaded Judah and fortified Ramah in order to prevent anyone from entering or leaving King Asa’s territory in Judah.

 

King Asa decided to seek out the King of Aram for help instead of calling on the LORD their God. Even though the situation looked grim God wanted him to call out to Him. 

He would have saved them, he would have given them victory. Understanding 

He is committed to us. 

 

OMG! Sometimes it feels like life is so hard, one thing after another. Sometimes we have victories that are quick, and obvious that the Lord came through for us. 

 

“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him…”

 

The NKJV says it this way, “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.

In our prosperity and in our poverty.In our health and sickness.In our good times and bad times. 

He is looking for those who are seeking hard after him. 

Application My soul will cling to you and you will uphold me. Ps. 63:8Father, your are good and you are my champion. Forgive me for turning to other things to save me from my problems, from my distress. I am committed to you. I will cling to you, for my life depends on it. I will cling to you, because I am yours and you are mine. I will cling to you, because you are the only help I will ever need. Oh Father, when you are looking throughout the earth, let your eyes see me! In Jesus name, Amen. Deborah Lee

Titus_2

Scripture

 

Titus‬ ‭2:7

 

“And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.”

 

Observation-What does it say?

 

Paul is the mentor to Titus. Titus is a young pastor on the island of Crete. Titus needs help starting up churches on Crete and Paul is there to encourage him, and disciple him along the way. Paul understands the difficulty ahead for Titus, but he encourages the young pastor to stand strong, speak boldly the Word of God, and he gives Titus a practical plan for strengthening and bringing order to the churches. Paul knows Titus will be effective in his ministry, as long as he stands strong in Christ.

 

Understanding-What does it mean? 

 

Do life together.

 

Don’t you think it’s great that a young pastor like Titus didn’t have to attack such a daunting task, and figure things out on his own? Isn’t it nice to be able to get counsel and advice from someone who has “been there, done that?" Isn’t it nice to have someone to do life with and help you with your faith along life’s struggles?

 

Living the Christian life is not meant to be done alone. It’s about relationships. Our relationship with Jesus, and our relationships with others. We all know the challenges that life brings. ‬ ‭And we surely know that the enemy is just waiting to jump on any opportunity to catch us when our guard is down. The enemy will lie, cheat, and steal his way into our lives if we are not careful and strong with our faith. That is why it’s SO important to surround ourselves with fellow believers; people who can encourage you, pray for you, and help you grow in your walk with God. God wants to put these people of faith in your lives to help strengthen and mature you in your faith.

 

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”-‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27:17‬ ‭NLT

 

So stay sharp and stay strong in Christ Jesus! Be proactive instead of reactive when it comes to protecting ourselves from the lies and attacks from the enemy. Surround ourselves with people who have the same goals and the same beliefs. Be there for one another. Pray, encourage, and help each other through life’s struggles. Praise and worship together as God brings you through “life’s ringer” and shapes and molds you into who He wants you to be.

 

Life Application

 

Join a small group, be discipled, or find someone you can disciple.

 

Before I arrived at DSC, I was one of those Christians who thought I can do life on my own. It was Jesus and I against the world. All I had to do was go to church on Sunday mornings, maybe just watch church on tv for a half an hour, and I was good. I didn’t need to be part of serving in ministry. I didn’t need to attend a small group and make my schedule even more busy. My time was precious. But you know what? I wasn’t growing as a Christian. I was struggling with the same things over and over. The people I hung out with weren’t Christians, so they would just laugh at me if I opened up to them. I was a loner of some sort in need of refreshing.

 

Enter my life at DSC. I began serving in ministry, became a leader in ministry, joined a small group, and even discipled someone. My schedule was packed! And as tired as I was from work and having kids, I made time for these things in my life. I may not have felt like going to some of these things at the time, but believe it or not, I actually walked away from them refreshed! I felt a sense of fulfillment. I now have friends who are Christ Followers like me! I can turn to them for prayer and encouragement, and I know they can do the same with me. I’m able to share my life’s experiences with someone a little younger, in hopes they don’t make the same mistakes I made. What joining a small group, being discipled, and discipling someone has done for me is given me a sense of purpose. It helps me stay connected to God and His people. It helps me make sure I’m walking the path God has chosen for me. In doing so, it has strengthened my relationship with Jesus, and has made me into the man I am today.

 

So I just want to take the time to encourage those of you who aren’t part of something like Paul and Titus, or something like I have been a part of here at DSC, to come in and join! Be part of something bigger than ourselves. Be part of a family that you can do life together with. Be part of God’s family. 

 

-Moses Gaddi

 

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