Corona Devo 1520

When the apostle Paul was in prison (for teaching the Word and hope of God), he stayed busy in (still) serving the Lord.  He wrote letters to encourage the churches that he had planted and the people seeking to live for the Lord in those churches.  

Paul's letters have been encouraging people ever since, and today when I read about Paul's buddies-in-ministry named Timothy and Epaphroditus (Eee-paah-frow-die-tus), it reminded me of my buddies Timothy and Epaphroditus.  And when you read the verses, they will remind you of your faith-friends Timothy and Epaphroditus.

Oh, our God-buds probably have different names than Timothy and Epaphroditus, but you'll (immediately) recognize them (in your life) when you read about them.  We all (I pray) have solid spiritual soulmates that love the Lord like we do, and they are pillars in our lives.  

(And...if we don't have a Timothy or Epaphroditus, then, let's connect, and we can work something out, because there is strength, encouragement, and blessing in having a right-hand-man (or woman) in step with us as we journey for Jesus.)

Here's what Paul had to say while in jail about his BFF-Believers, Timothy and Epaphroditus:

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.  

(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... (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.  ~Philippians 2:19-25, 29-30


~~~

Do we have anyone like Timothy and Epaphroditus in our lives?  Use the Bible as a cue to praise the Lord for them today.

Their name might not be "Timothy", but who do we know in our lives that cares for what matters to Jesus Christ?  We know a lot of people who care only for themselves, but those who genuinely care for what matters to Jesus Christ...they are a Timothy in our lives, and they are special.  

Paul was excited for a visit from Timothy because he would cheer Paul up by telling him how the Believers in the church of Philippi were getting along.  And Timothy knew the Bible and preached the Good News to those Believers. 

Do we have partners in the faith like Timothy?  People who care for what matters to Jesus Christ more than they care for themselves?

Paul said that he had no one else like Timothy, and that's understandable.  It's hard to find people sold-out for Jesus.  But if we have a Timothy, praise the Lord for them today!

~~~

Do we have an Epaphroditus in our lives today? 

A true brother...(in Christ and in serving Christ)

A co-worker...(in doing the Lord's work)

A fellow soldier...(in God's army)   ~Philippians 2:25

If we have an Epaphroditus, then, use these verses today as Bible as a cue to praise the Lord for them.

Epaphroditus was a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier to Paul.  He lived the spiritual life in the trenches with Paul.  There are people who say they'll be here for us, and then there are people who are.  

Today we thank God for the Epaphroditus's in our lives.  Those who are on-fire for God, and who show up, those who remember, those who put-in-the-work and those who help us in our time of need. 

We are blessed by them, and fighting for the Lord is much better when we have a spiritual soldier alongside of us.  We are grateful for our Epaphroditus-friends, even if they go by a different (more modern) name.

~~~

Sometimes we can feel alone in living for the Lord, but we are not!  

We give gratitude and praise the Lord for His Word and the examples and reminders it provides to us about those in our lives who are also living for what matters to Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:21).  

These people are Timothy and Epaphroditus to us.  Put your arm around them today and let them know that we are grateful to be serving God with them!

 

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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