Welcome to Week 7: Gratitude and Blessing!
Dear H4J Family, as we reach the culmination of our 40+ day journey through Philemon, this week we celebrate Gratitude and Blessing. Reflecting on Paul’s expressions of appreciation for his fellow workers, we will focus on cultivating a spirit of thankfulness, sharing the Gospel, and recognizing the blessings in our lives.
This week’s devotionals will inspire us to express gratitude for our fellow Christians, embrace opportunities to share the Gospel, build one another up, receive God’s grace, and reflect on the transformative impact of our journey through Philemon. May we leave this season with hearts full of gratitude and a renewed commitment to spreading Christ’s love.
Join us in prayerful reflection and joyful celebration as we conclude this transformative journey. Share your insights, expressions of gratitude, and commitments for the future using #H4JPawa #H4JBatuhan #HomesForJesus #Philemon.
Week 7 Devotional Readings: Gratitude and Blessing (Philemon 23-25)
Overall Theme: Expressing Gratitude for Fellow Workers and Sharing the Gospel
Day 41: Greetings from Fellow Workers
Colossians 4:10-11: “My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas… Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.”
Paul sends greetings from his fellow workers (Philemon 23-24). Today, reflect on the importance of fellow Christians. Pray for Christians around the world, and for those who specifically support you.
Reflective Question: Take a look at your friend groups. Are your friends keeping you close to God?
Prayer Prompt: Lord, thank you for fellow Christians who support and inspire me. May my words and actions encourage them.
Day 42: Sharing the Gospel
Matthew 28:19-20: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Consider how you might share the Gospel with someone today. What are some ways to do it? How can you do it without coming off as too “preachy?”
Reflective Question: What non-threatening ways can you share your testimony with someone today?
Prayer Prompt: Lord, please give me confidence. Show me someone who is receptive to my message. And help me to spread the gospel.
Day 43: Fellow Laborers in Christ
1 Corinthians 3:9: “For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.”
Ask God to bring more laborers to Christ, and for open hearts so that they may serve Him with gladness. Pray that God will fill more Christians to be ready to share His love at any moment.
Reflective Question: How can you personally be more ready to spread the love and teaching of Jesus?
Prayer Prompt: Lord, thank you for your loving spirit. Fill my heart with more of you, so that I can be ready to teach others. Send more like me, Lord. There’s work to be done.
Day 44: Building One Another Up
1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
How are you building up those around you? Do you treat those around you as equals in Christ, or do you allow pride or other human emotions to stop you?
Reflective Question: Are you building others up? What is one thing you can do to build up someone today?
Prayer Prompt: Lord, thank you for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Help me to always be a source of love and support for them.
Day 45: The Lord Jesus Christ is With Your Spirit
2 Timothy 4:22: “The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.”
Make time to pray and meditate, today. What does it mean to you that the Lord Jesus Christ is with you?
Reflective Question: How does your life show the presence of the Holy Spirit?
Prayer Prompt: Lord, thank you for guiding my spirit and keeping me safe. Keep me close so that your spirit may always be with me.
Day 46: Receiving Grace
Hebrews 4:16: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Ask God to grant you grace today. Meditate on times that you have been shown grace. Be still and listen to the voice of God.
Reflective Question: Have you fully accepted grace in your life?
Prayer Prompt: Lord, thank you for my life, and for your grace in it. Please help me to hear your words.
Day 47: Expressing Gratitude
1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
This final day is a day for reflection. Take time to express gratitude for all of God’s blessings, and for the past several weeks that you have been meditating on His message in Philemon. How has it changed you? How has it changed your heart? What is one thing that you can commit to changing to make sure that you are ready for the next phase of life?
Reflective Question: Are you expressing gratitude in all circumstances? How can you do that even better?
Prayer Prompt: Thank you, Lord, for always keeping me in your care. Help me to always show gratitude for my blessed life.