Daily Reading: Philippians 2
Scripture Focus: Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier... (Philippians 2.25)
Devotional Thought: The Apostle Paul's friendships ran deep. He treasured his friends, mentioning them often in his letters, thankful for what they enjoyed in common. Epaphroditus was one such friend.
Paul and Epaphroditus shared...
A common way. Paul called Epaphroditus his brother. They both walked with the Lord. They had been born again into a living hope, into the family of God. What one valued the other valued as well. I'm sure that they had differences - no two people are exactly alike - but more important to Paul were the things they shared as brothers.
A common work. Epaphroditus was Paul's fellow worker. Working together on a project brings people together, doesn't it? I remember experiencing that on a mission trip to Guatemala. Dan and I knew one another when we left for the trip, but we weren't close. Spending 10 days together working on the same things- even sharing a room! - brought us closer together. I still treasure Dan to this day.
A common warfare. Paul called Epaphroditus his fellow soldier. They both reported to the same Commander: the Lord Jesus Christ. They were both engaged against a common enemy: the kingdom of darkness. They were together in the trenches, protecting one another, encouraging one another on the day of battle. Spreading the light of Jesus in a sin-darkened world, they depended on and supported each other.
Thank God for the Church, the beautiful family of God!
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for my brothers and sisters in the Church. Thank you that we share a common way, a common work, and a common warfare. Help me to be a faithful and true sister/brother. I pray this in the name of my Elder Brother, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: 1 Remember, O LORD, in David's favor, all the hardships he endured, 2 how he swore to the LORD and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob, 3 "I will not enter my house or get into my bed, 4 I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, 5 until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob." (Psalms 132:1-5)
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