“I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment” (Philemon 1:10).

See what is happening.  You who know the story, know that Onesimus is the slave of Philemon.  It is a strange thing to us.  See the story behind this.  Paul is a father in the faith to them both.  They are no longer just master and slave, but now brothers under the same father.  It is not so complex.  The real question for us is how are we to behave?  By the rules of the world or by the rules of faith?

Lord, I do find that I often operate by the rules of the world.  Help me learn to be obedient in this world, but that when there is a conflict, enable me to choose the way You have established, the way of forever.  Guide me, Lord, in the upward path to which You have called me so that even when it costs me, I choose the direction You know I need to go in order to live the godly grace-filled life to which You have called me.

Lord Jesus, I need the grace You give to accomplish these things.  Guide me, Lord, now and always, so that when confronted with two or more choices, I would choose the way that is right in Your eyes.  Lead me according to Your goodness and mercy and help me now and always to see through what the world says that I may choose the better way.  Guide me always, Lord, in the upward way.  Amen.

“Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required,  yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you – I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus” (Philemon 1:8-9)

In our day of both political freedoms and contrasting superiors in authority keeping us under fear of retaliation, we forget that there are levels and chains of command You have ordained.  It is not that everyone who so desires can tell another what to do, but there are those who can and should.  It is this way in the church too.  There are leaders whom the Lord has appointed by whatever means and we are to honor that.  But also, we are equals, one to the other.

Lord, I do understand this.  A parent to a child: there is equality when they are adults, and yet, the child is always the child.  Help me to apply this principle so that I would now and always hold to the truth You are teaching me.  Help me when I am in a position of inferiority to honor the one above and when in a position of superiority to honor the one below so that in either case I love and respect all others.

Lord Jesus, You are God in the flesh.  Guide me in Your goodness to follow Your example and see that in You alone I can learn how to behave as You would have me behave.  You are God in the flesh, yet You bid us come and learn to be a friend.  Teach me the proper and honorable balance I need in order to live this relationship in a godly way.  Thank You, Lord, for the patience and grace I need to do this.  Amen. 

“For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you” (Philemon 1:7).

A leader in the church always rejoices when they encounter another who displays maturity and wisdom.  It is refreshing to encounter one who does things the way the Lord wants them done.  Be one who refreshes the hearts of others.  Be guided by the Holy Spirit and do what the Lord gives you to do.  Be one who is willing to comfort others with the comfort you have received from our Lord.

You know where I can become better at these things, Lord.  Show me where these places are and then guide me in the way that will take me to these places such that all these things become a part of who I am.  Teach me, Lord, how to be wise and then help me to be a willing servant of all.  Continue to guide me in the upper way that, like the saints of old, I may demonstrate my faith through what I say and how I act.

Lord Jesus, if one looks at You, the distance between the two extremes at the boundaries of who You are, are striking.  On the one hand, you are so ordinary and approachable.  On the other, You are God in the flesh.  I will never be You, of course, for which I thank you Lord; but stretch me so that I become more like You, the servant of God, each day.  Guide me and help me to be willing to move into this direction that You are leading me.  Amen. 

“[B]ecause I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ” (Philemon 1:5-6).

There is maturity in faith.  There is growth that continues even after we reach the place of knowing that Christ is our Savior.  Do not think that you are done when you have only reached the first step.  Come into the fullness of Christ in order that you may see the effect of the full knowledge of every good thing that is for the sake of Christ.  Do not settle for status quo until the Lord tells you, “well done, good and faithful servant.”

You know where I am Lord and how far I need to continue today so that I may progress on the journey of becoming like You.  Help me to not be distracted by worldly things but come fully into Your purpose and presence.  This faith we have needs nurturing and tending and that is why Scripture needs to be studied daily.  You know that, too often, I think myself exempt from these things.

Lord Jesus, in You alone is all hope and an eternal future.  Guide me, Lord, so that I may be led by You and not by my own whims, or the fancies of others, let alone the wickedness of this age.  Help me, Lord, to understand that in You alone is all hope.  Grow in me Your wisdom and maturity in order that I may become more and more like You in all things.  Aid me in running so I win the prize by keeping my eyes upon You, Lord, Amen.

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers” (Philemon 1:3-4)

We hear the words often, but do we truly desire others to be in the grace and peace of our Lord?  These are things we can and should desire for our neighbor.  When we say, “peace” to our neighbor, it is not wishful thinking, but asking that our neighbor be filled with the Holy Spirit and walk in His provision.  Yes, we should love our neighbor such that we desire for them what we want for ourselves.

Do you pray for your neighbor as you would want them to pray for you?  Do you remember others in prayer?  Do you care for others and lift them up to the Lord?  Being Christian is not about just having a right attitude, but about the very real work of caring for your neighbor in real and tangible ways.  Come then and live and give God’s peace and pray even for your enemies.

Holy Trinity, in You alone does existence have its meaning.  Guide me into the life You know I need, my Lord.  Help me in seeking to please You Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Come, Holy Spirit, and fill my heart so that I would be faithful.  In all of these things, help me this day to be true to You in thought, word, and deed.  May I join in being thankful for every opportunity to serve You.  Amen. 

“Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved fellow worker and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house” (Philemon 1:1-2)

Are you a prisoner for Jesus?  Yes, Paul was literally in prison, but nothing really changed.  He had been a slave to Christ since his conversion in Damascus.  The truth of the faith is that it is truly is all or nothing.  Too many try to ride the fence and hedge bets.  In matters of eternity and love, this does not work.  The church is the gathering of Gods people who seek to be faithful servants.

Lord, help me to no longer struggle against You being in charge.  You are the Lord and must be my Lord.  What do I know?  I have only existed these few short years and You are forever.  Help me to have the right perspective on things and live out my faith as You know I need to live.  Guide me by Your Spirit to do these things, Lord.  I am a part of Your family, grafted in by baptism through  faith.  Guide me in the upward way of this faith.

Holy Spirit, You are with us that we might begin the journey of learning how to live with You forever.  We are each our own person, yet for my sanctification to be worked out, You must be the One who leads.  Lead me, Lord, in the way of salvation and help me to be a slave to the truth of Your Word so that I may not argue, nor contradict what You say, but live fully in You as You live in me.  Amen.

“All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all” (Titus 3:15).

Sometimes I think we get things messed up.  Greet those who are in the faith.  We cannot be all things to all people, so don’t be.  Live in the truth that the Holy Spirit will guide you in the things you need to do.  Do be friendly and open but remember that love is not just about making other people feel good, it is also about doing what is right.  May you now and always abide in the grace and mercy of our Lord.

Holy Spirit, You know my heart and all that is needed in me.  Guide me into the life where I am gracious to others as You have been gracious to me.  As St. Paul instructed Titus, so also, let me receive the instruction You give me.  Help me to put into practice these things which You are teaching me.  Guide me in the upward way of eternal life that I may grow to be like Christ.

Thank You, Jesus, for leading the way.  Help me learn by Your example to do things the way I see You doing them.  Guide me in this journey of becoming like You.  Through all that comes, may I be found to be faithful, greeting others in Your love and by Your grace.  Through all that may come, may I now and forever look to You as the model for my life as I learn to be godly like You.  Amen.

“Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing.   And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful” (Titus 3:13-14).

Put these things together into one idea.  Be mindful to be diligent and be productive.  It is not doing things just because, but that you know that being idle is more dangerous than being busy.  Also, this is how things get done.  So, do what the Lord gives you to do and be prudent so that you may care for those whom the Lord brings to your attention, including those things which are urgent.

Lord, You know how often I turn in on myself and do not do as I ought.  Help me, dear Lord, to go beyond myself and do the things You have given me to do.  Each day has more than enough things to keep me busy, so help me stay busy and give the devil no room for leading me astray.  Help me to also realize that these things are not for merit but are done because I am a part of Your family.

Lord Jesus, in Trinity, You are family.  Help me to see that I have been included to become a part of the extended family.  Families do for each other because that is what families do.  Help me to not think economically, but with love so that I may be busy doing things that need to be done in obedience with Your Word.  Help me now and always Lord to see that in You is all hope.  Amen. 

“When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there” (Titus 3:12).

Your pastor is a part of a team; so, is not just YOUR pastor.  We are all a part of the same body of Christ and sometimes we forget that.  Do not be led by the ways of the world, but by the truth revealed once for all.  Be guided by the Holy Spirit and receive anyone who rightly preaches the word.  We also have obligations for those we may not even know if they are a part of the body.

Lord, I think too often only of myself.  Is that not the reason for grace? That I need to be brought from the place where I think only of myself and realize it is not about me?  Help me, Lord, to get in the right frame of mind and live into the life which is mine through You.  Help me to receive and support all whom You send my way and whom You bring to my attention.  Help me realize that I am a part of Your whole body.

Dear Jesus, through Your Holy Spirit, I need help.  There are so many places that have crumbled because of a lack of action.  I have watched these things and do nothing.  The next time I say, “Why doesn’t somebody do something,” let me be that somebody.  Help me to love You and the church enough to do what is right always.  Guide me into all goodness through Your grace and mercy.  Amen.  

“As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned” (Titus 3:10).

Sadly, too few take this warning and the church suffers.  Yes, we are to love all.  Yes, we are to give, but that does not mean that we do these things without a conscience formed by wisdom.  Even the pagans have more concern for their children than just looking the other way.  Come then and live as the Lord would have you and be guided by His goodness and mercy.  Know that in Him alone is all hope and life.

Lord, I have experienced too many times those who are divisive and the church looks the other way.  Help me to always be appropriate, but to not leave things that I can do something about as if it were of no concern to me.  Yes, I am to love my neighbor, but sometimes that means the hard way of not letting them get away with sinful behavior.  Lead me, Lord, so that I may not fall into the trap of encouraging warped understanding of Your Gospel.

Dear Jesus, You know that all of these things will work together for good, but help me to do my part.  Guide me in the right way so that I would neither do these things, nor, when possible, allow them to harm the fellowship.  Grant me the wisdom to know what to do in every situation so that I would be helpful to You and the church.  Guide me, Lord, into wisdom to do what is right always. Amen.