Welcome to Week 5: Partnership in the Gospel!
Beloved H4J family, as we journey on through Philemon, this week, we will be considering Partnership in the Gospel. Reflecting on Paul’s call for Philemon to receive Onesimus as a partner, we’ll explore the power of working together in faith and recognizing the unique gifts each member brings to the Body of Christ.
Throughout this week, we’ll delve into the importance of accepting one another, sharing in the cost of ministry, refreshing one another’s hearts in Christ, and confidently pursuing obedience. Our hope is that we will be encouraged to see ourselves as vital partners in God’s work, empowered to support and uplift one another in the Gospel.
We invite you to engage fully with each day’s devotional, prayerfully reflecting on how you can strengthen your partnership with others in your faith community. Share your insights and reflections using #H4JPawa #H4JBatuhan #HomesForJesus #Philemon.
Week 5 Devotional Readings: Partnership in the Gospel (Philemon 17-21)
Overall Theme: Recognizing and Utilizing the Unique Gifts Within the Community
Day 29: Accepting One Another
Romans 15:7: “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”
Paul appeals to Philemon to accept Onesimus as he would accept Paul himself (Philemon 17). Today, reflect on how you treat fellow members of your church. Are you accepting of their weaknesses and celebrating their strengths?
Reflective Question: Is there someone in your community that you need to accept more fully? What steps can you take to show them love and acceptance?
Prayer Prompt: Lord, help me to love others completely, not judging, but accepting them the way that you love them.
Day 30: Sharing in the Cost
2 Corinthians 8:9: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”
Paul suggests that he would repay any debt Onesimus owed (Philemon 18-19). Today, reflect on the sacrifices that Christ made for you, and the sacrifices made by your community. How can you share in the cost of the Gospel? Are you offering financial support, time, or spiritual support to the mission?
Reflective Question: What can you do today to sacrifice for your community?
Prayer Prompt: Lord, give me the strength to sacrifice for the community. Remind me that your sacrifice was the greatest sacrifice of all.
Day 31: Refresh My Heart in Christ
2 Timothy 1:16: “May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.”
Paul asks Philemon to refresh his heart in Christ (Philemon 20). Today, examine how you can refresh your heart and the hearts of your brothers and sisters in Christ. Reach out to someone. Spend time in fellowship. Remind yourself that you are loved.
Reflective Question: What are some ways to encourage others with Christ’s love?
Prayer Prompt: Lord, remind me of my calling to serve you and refresh others. Help me to always spread the gospel of Jesus, with kindness and compassion.
Day 32: Confidence in Obedience
1 John 2:6: “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”
Paul expresses confidence that Philemon will do what he asks and even more (Philemon 21). Today, reflect on the areas of your life that you have been asked to bring into alignment with God. Are there things that God has been asking you to do that you have been putting off?
Reflective Question: What habits or lifestyle changes can you make to bring your closer to Christ?
Prayer Prompt: Lord, help me to fully walk in your path. Guide my footsteps to be true and sure. Keep me close.
Day 33: Knowing That You Will Do Even More
Ephesians 3:20: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”
Paul is confident that Philemon will do even more for the Gospel. Pray for guidance, that you might find a way to do more for Jesus and for your community. Is there a need you can fill? A kind thing that you can do for someone?
Reflective Question: How can you start seeing yourself as someone who does even more for the Gospel?
Prayer Prompt: Lord, open my eyes to my purpose. Let your spirit live through me. Guide me to do more for my brothers and sisters and for your kingdom.
Day 34: Partnership in Faith
Hebrews 10:24-25: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Paul asks Philemon to partner with him in faith, to spread the word of Christ. Pray for your relationships. Ask God to bless you with people with whom you can work, with whom you can collaborate, and to whom you can be accountable. Spend time in fellowship with those people today.
Reflective Question: Are there people you need to ask to be accountable with today?
Prayer Prompt: Thank you, God, for sending me people to keep me on the path. May they bless me, and may I bless them.
Day 35: Supporting Ministry
Galatians 6:6: “Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.”
What can you do to support ministries in your community? Today, pray for those in your community who are doing ministry. Pray for opportunities to support them. Pray for the financial resources for them to be supported. Give what you can today.
Reflective Question: How can you show your love of Jesus through supporting ministries?
Prayer Prompt: Lord, thank you for ministries that teach and speak your name. Please support them, in whatever way they need to be supported.