The Bible tells us about somebody who really had troubles.  Think about the Bible story of Job.  He went through one of the most trying times any person could ever endure.  In less than a year, he lost his family, he lost his business, he lost his home, and he lost his health.  He had boils over his entire body and lived in constant pain.  But in the midst of that dark hour, Job said, “God, I know that you have granted me favor.”  

Now, here’s the amazing part!  There are 42 chapters in the Book of Job.  Job made this statement of faith in Chapter 10.  Things didn’t turn around for him until Chapter 42!  But, at the very beginning, when his troubles seemed the most hopeless, Job looked up and declared, “God, I know You have granted me favor!” 

That’s real faith.  Job was saying, “God, I don’t care what the situation looks like.  I don’t care how badly I feel.  You are a good God.  And Your favor is going to turn this situation around.”

Is it any wonder that in the end God restored to Job twice as much as he had lost? 

Lord Jesus, when I think about home … well, home is the place where I can just be myself.  It’s where I am known and loved, surrounded by family and friends. 

Thank You that Heaven will be my home.  I’ll never be lonely there.  I’ll always be loved there.  I’ll be safe, comfortable, and secure.  I’ll truly – finally – be myself there!

Thank You for making me uniquely me … uniquely loved… uniquely known … uniquely valued. 

I pray this humbly in Your Name, Jesus, just loving You and being perfectly loved by You.  Amen. 

February 8, 2024

Nobody should think better of you than you do. 

Do you realize that the most important relationship that you have is with you? 

Do you realize that the most important relationship you have with any human being is with you?  You spend more time with you than anybody else.  You live with you, work with you, and even vacation with you! 

That becomes a real problem if you don’t like yourself.  Too many people don’t like who they are.   They focus on their faults and weaknesses.  They’re constantly kicking themselves.  And then they wonder why they’re not happy! 

The other big problem is:  If you don’t get along with you, you’re not going to get along with other people. 

Jesus told us this: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” (Mark 12:31)  

You can’t love others if you don’t first love yourself. 

And, so, the best thing you can do for neighbor … the best thing you can do for your family … the best thing you can do for your friends is …

Someone once said, “I discovered the enemy.  It was me.” 

Are you your own worst enemy?  It’s time to be your own best friend. 

Stay positive toward yourself.  Nobody should think better of you than you do. 

The Bible isn’t a book; it’s a library. 

The Bible is …

So, let’s practice this together.  We’ll open up the Bible to Philemon, and we’ll try to get the context as we go.  Philemon starts with these words …

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker … and to the church that meets in your home … (Philemon 1:1-2)  

First of all:  Who wrote it?  Paul.  It’s the shortest letter he ever wrote – only 335 words. 

What’s interesting is that he identifies himself as “Paul, the prisoner.”  He doesn’t say, “Paul the apostle.”  Almost every other time, he says, “Paul the apostle.”  But here he writing to an old friend.  And he doesn’t want to pull his official rank on his friend. 

And the leads to our second question: To whom was it written?  It was written to Philemon, a wealthy businessman who led a church in his home, and was an old dear friend of Paul.    

I wonder how many of you would say, just real honestly now, there’s some part of your life that you wish wasn’t in this chapter.  You want something different.  You want something better.  You want something more.  It could be something for you; it could be something for someone you love.  But you’re asking God for a better chapter.

Father, I pray that even though we can’t see You now, we thank You that You are here – that You’re even with us in the chapters that we don’t understand.  So, help us trust You. 

And, Father, help us do our part – to create a plan and work hard.  But, Father, ultimately, we know that we depend on You.  Thank You for Your providence in our life.  You’re so good to us.  Thank You for the new chapter that You’re writing in our life. 

Thank You, Father, especially for your plan to save us and bring us home to heaven.  You sent Jesus to die for us.  That’s your plan.  You sent Jesus to defeat death.  That’s Your plan.  And I want to thank You for letting me be a part of it.  Thank You that there is a chapter of my life that is called “Heaven.”  And there is a chapter of my life that is called “Victory.”  And there is a chapter of my life that is called “Glory.” 

Thank You, Jesus, I pray this in Your Name.  Amen.