Devotionals for November 22, 2024
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READ
Philippians 2:19-30
Paul Commends Timothy
19 If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. 20 I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. 21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. 22 But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News. 23 I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. 24 And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon.
Paul Commends Epaphroditus
25 Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need. 26 I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. 27 And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another.
28 So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so worried about you. 29 Welcome him in the Lord’s love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve. 30 For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away.
Paul Commends Timothy
19 If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. 20 I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. 21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. 22 But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News. 23 I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. 24 And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon.
Paul Commends Epaphroditus
25 Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need. 26 I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. 27 And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another.
28 So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so worried about you. 29 Welcome him in the Lord’s love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve. 30 For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away.
REFLECT
This week we have been learning about Timothy and Epaphroditus. Paul mentored and valued them both. Paul showed us how important it is to be a learner and a teacher for others in the church and community. All of us start as learners and through sanctification, we become teachers and leaders. What is God calling you to become?
APPLY
Q: What do Timothy and Epaphroditus have in common?
Q: In what ways can you show God you care more for what matter to Jesus Christ?
Q: Who are you a role model for? Who do you look up to? Have you taken time lately to thank those who mentor you to be more like Jesus?
Q: In what ways can you show God you care more for what matter to Jesus Christ?
Q: Who are you a role model for? Who do you look up to? Have you taken time lately to thank those who mentor you to be more like Jesus?
SING
PRAY
"And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one."
God, would You call us to be a Timothy, a Paul, an Ephaphroditus…maybe more than one? Would You open up our hearts, and our minds to receive from You a call to say yes to one of these in some way? Maybe it’s in church to serve or be pouring into, maybe it’s in other places of work and school…but would we say yes. Let us hear Your voice, God. We love you, Lord!
God, would You call us to be a Timothy, a Paul, an Ephaphroditus…maybe more than one? Would You open up our hearts, and our minds to receive from You a call to say yes to one of these in some way? Maybe it’s in church to serve or be pouring into, maybe it’s in other places of work and school…but would we say yes. Let us hear Your voice, God. We love you, Lord!