NO SPECIAL INTERESTS GROUPS, PLEASE

Reading through the short Letter of Paul to Philemon we find Paul  relating to Philemon,that is marked with  "the real" and the kind of friendship that God has ordered for our lives. Philemon was a convert of Paul's. In this letter of a loving friendship, the exhortation from Paul to him is on the "very act of love"! Paul states that he prays for his friend and gives thanks for his fellow laborer in Christ Jesus.
I wonder if we do that????


Philemon
1:1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, 2 to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, 5 hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

8 Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, 9 yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you--being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ-- 10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, 11 who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. 12 I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, 13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. 14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary. 15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave--a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

17 If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. 18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. 19 I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay--not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides. 20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. 21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers. 25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.  
NKJV

This passage here always stands out foremost to me:

Philemon 4-7

4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, 5 hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.  NKJV

Paul was transparent about representing his heart toward Philemon. He was thankful for the opportunity to meet him, speak about Jesus to him, and then help him in his walk with the Lord. Paul was expecting the communication of that faith in Philemon to grow and be imparted to others. That acknowledgement, that acknowledging was the recognizing Paul saw in Philemon.

This man had done such a good job in his works as to represent Jesus to others that was to Paul something that the man had to be praised. Every thing this man did for others was because of the faith he held in the Lord. His Christian character proved he "operated in God's love"!

Oh, the refreshing we could bring to others, if only we would tell them of Jesus and of the salvation available.

Philemon 10-16

10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, 11 who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. 12 I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, 13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. 14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary. 15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave--a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.  NKJV

Paul was sending someone to Philemon and the young man was Onesimus. Because of the love for God and to Paul, Onesimus was being sent to Philemon. We are to love those begotten of God, those who follow God closely, living by faith in Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to rule there. Bearing the image of Christ is what each of us must do. And in that we are loved by every Christian. Those who will not love know not Jesus or His Father, God.

Prayer is evident in the fruits found in Philemon. His love and faith shine, are communicated without constraint to others. Everything we do for God must be born in Him, flow through us, and be communicated without for the glory and to the glory of God. It is "good men" who will do this!

It is seen in both a life of prayer and praises to God.

As the "servants" of God we are a treasure in a family. As the servant, they make and keep their time and all their trust in Him will promote their good. Management is done well when God is kept 1st. It is not in our visions, our dreams, or our plans, but is established when we remain to carry out what God asked of us to do. If we are His hands, His feet and His mouthpiece, do we speak as God would speak or does it appear more our own promotion time in our own interests?

Paul must have trusted Philiemon to a great degree and now he was sending Onesimus to him. Verse 12 mentions that Paul wanted Philemon to receive Onesimus with the love Paul had for him. There was to be no resentments with anyone, there was to be forgiveness to those who would have injured and offended them.

In considering the letter to Philemon, we must understand that this is "a spiritual brotherhood". Of late that is what the Lord relates to me. We are to speak "spirit to spirit". For if the kingdom of God has come to us truly, then we speak as Jesus spoke, we act as Jesus acted, and we pray like Jesus prayed! Speaking, praying and helping another only strengthens us more.

It is in that discharging of a duty for another saint that came through Jesus, is that grace shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. His eyes are ever on the "faithful".......and those believing who have placed their trust in Him walk in the perfect way.

 Onesimus was to receive the same regard and Paul sent him to Philemon because he would need someone to exhort him often. The outward good extended in love will not mean as much as that which is of the spiritual, comes from the Father Who is Spirit and brings good that is life, love and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. For that love, a joy remains, gives long after we have "left the building or the area we give the Lord to others".

If you find one throwing a tantrum, give them to God. If you find one throwing up on you by their own negativity remarks and attitude walk away. For those who love, will always love no matter what, and they will not appear as "control tower".

In God's kingdom there are no special interest groups. It is all the "kingdom" all the time "kingdom" without hesitation.

Our dependence is to be on God Who is the Creator and created much within our hearts to live life fully for Him. In that walk there will be opportunities come to reach others and will be increased as we are faithful with that part. Surely others should see Jesus in us. It is in our trust and hope in Him that we will pursue that kind of love that comes from God to give to others. And trusting God is always about communicating to HIM in prayer. It is that fervent effectual prayer of the righteous which avails much AND GIVING OF MUCH THANKS!

I HAVE A NEW WEB SITE AVAILABLE NOW WITH OTHER CURRENT BLOGS AND YOUTUBE TEACHINGS. I INVITE YOU TOO CHECK IT OUT.  THERE IS A PRAYER REQUEST SECTION ON THE SITE.

www.godsgoodnessandlove.com

Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published:

Born of God: The Sacred Appointment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcYI9tstJmU

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

What Have They Seen in Your House?

2 Kings 20:1-21................20:1 In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, "Thus says the LORD: 'Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live.' " 2 Then he turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the LORD, saying, 3 "Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 4 And it happened, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 5 "Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD. 6 And I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake, and for the sake of My servant David." ' " 7 Then Isaiah said, "Take a lump of figs." So they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.

8 And Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "What is the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up to the house of the LORD the third day?" 9 Then Isaiah said, "This is the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing which He has spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees or go backward ten degrees?" 10 And Hezekiah answered, "It is an easy thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees; no, but let the shadow go backward ten degrees." 11 So Isaiah the prophet cried out to the LORD, and He brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down on the sundial of Ahaz.

12 At that time Berodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick. 13 And Hezekiah was attentive to them, and showed them all the house of his treasures--the silver and gold, the spices and precious ointment, and all his armory--all that was found among his treasures. There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.

14 Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah, and said to him, "What did these men say, and from where did they come to you?" So Hezekiah said, "They came from a far country, from Babylon." 15 And he said, "What have they seen in your house?" So Hezekiah answered, "They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them." 16 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of the LORD: 17'Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,' says the LORD. 18 And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.' " 19 So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good!" For he said, "Will there not be peace and truth at least in my days?"

20 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah--all his might, and how he made a pool and a tunnel and brought water into the city--are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 21 So Hezekiah rested with his fathers. Then Manasseh his son reigned in his place. NKJV




King Hezekiah lay near death and the sickness was of a nature that it would surely cause him death. There was at the time a plague hitting the people and it amounted to great boils on the body. The nation was at war. As the leader of this people, he had no fight in him due to the sickness that was taking over his body. He turned toward the wall, which was toward the Temple and prayed. His prayer was heard and the prophet returned with the answer to that prayer.

When God moves in a mighty way ARE we likely to forget and entertain as the world does by showing them our "stuff" and not mention the healing and the miracle God did for us? No easy thing, but GOD, does the miraculous in moving the shadow ten degrees backward. Awesome deed is done and it is made note of the occurrence. The report revealed that a miracle in the making would cause the King to go the temple on the third day!
Back on the job and ready to continue his leadership role, King Hezekiah receives letters. As he received the letters of his recovery, he was also receiving the sender of the well-wishing thought. Ah, but alas, Hezekiah just wanted to show off his "stuff" and did not tell these people of the awesome things God had done for him. " Look, I have this, and this and this. Is this not grand?"

Isaiah the prophet is sent back to King Hezekiah and said, "what did these men say, and from where did they come to you?" Of course, Hezekiah said, "they came from a foreign country, from
Babylon." "WHAT HAVE THEY SEEN IN YOUR HOUSE?"

And the King answers, "there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them."

Yes, the king certainly showed them all the wealth he had accumulated, but all the wealth does not measure up to the goodness of God when healing occurs that points to the miraculous being done.

But consider that these men are from Babylon. They no doubt were excited to come to the place that most astronomers of Babylon would have been delighted to visit and find out about how the sun dial moved backward. What an event to see in the natural! Then to not make mention of the whole ordeal and how it all worked together to glorify God, how awesome that would have been to participate in that to glorify God!

Was the King looking for friendship with the Babylonians? Was he more apt to show and display his wares, his fortunes, his things gained through the mantle of wearing the crown, and his storage of the soldierly warlike inventory he held at the time. He surely held facilities to hold all the wares he needed for war!

The prophet no doubt is sent to reprove the King. As we see in 2 Kings 20:14...as the King was complimented by their visit. But the whole thing was wrong!

It is a vain exhibition, and the King offered no reverence or respect to his God.

Do we get caught up with "the stuff" and forget the times God has healed us, kept us from harm, only to delight again in Babylon's friendship? What a message that would have been if the king told them about how God moved the dial backwards? How many could King Hezekiah have ministered to in those astronomers of that day. "Wow, look what my God did here to save me from death!"

No, it appears that the king was all too happy to show off his treasures, so others might see him as to be admired. Sounds a lot like pride does it not?

"Well, I am just innocently showing them my wares!" Wrong! It amounted to sin in the heart. It was a sin in vanity and pride. King Hezekiah's confidence was in "his stuff"!

What "stuff'" do we like to show off? Is there anything that we hold pride in that we have done for ourselves? I think of those in business and is it one what projects that which is honest and of good report or is the business man leading the way in corrupt methods and ways of doing business?

I was approached recently on-line by a ministry and in few words they wanted me to "know" that they were thanking me for my giving into their ministry. They were telling all those they minister to that I had given into that ministry and made a sacrifice toward this ministry. So all those that they spoke to about me and (my giving into that ministry) were in reality saying let's all thank her together as in unity!  Which was based on a lie at that time as I had not given nor had my husband given into that ministry!

Honesty is imperative. Whatever ministry, and however big or little, the optimum word is to be honest to everyone about everything! To tell people that I had given to that ministry when I had not is a lie! (and if God is telling you to give into a fertile soil of ministry, do it, do not delay, but we should not be giving because someone told others we had done it when we have not sown there.) Sowing in the field where we have received a good teaching is vital, but only in that place God has shown and you are fed!

I think of those who are studying for a degree to advance in their career! Do they hold a regard to study and not cheat on exams or find the easy way out of studying?
I even think of those who do things rather under-handed by taking drugs to make their bodies go beyond the limits of the thing they are trying to achieve whether in cycling, football or even in any other kind of sports!
Do we collect "sports cars" for the glory of God or..................?
King Hezekiah was just caught up in "things" and the glory those lifeless things could bring him! Did things become his "god" and cause him to not see fully what God had done for him in healing a body?

It is best to turn from wicked ways and give glory to the One who heals, saves, and delivers. The next time someone comes to visit, will we "show them our stuff" or will we "tell them what God has done for us?" "Will we tell them He saved us, delivered us, and yes healed us of all our infirmities"?

In closing I am reminded of a lady who came out to visit back in February. She has this great sports car, low to the road, and beautiful! She could have pointed out her car but in all our conversation that glorious day was the goodness of God to her, her husband and her sons. She told of the testimony of how God had moved on their behalf on so many occasions and how her sons were doing in school. God is good and He is good all the time to those who believe, to those who adhere to His Word and will not let go of God and of His truth! Her family was experiencing seeing God move in dramatic ways to show He is always ready to perform His word in their lives. She was seeing the life He planned for her and all those God had given her in this life. Hallelujah!

God does come to see how we handle those things He commits to our hands. In any tribulation we should always pay attention to those who are walking with the Lord and hear Him, and to stay away from those who are against us. That is, watch and stay with those who regard God and His power. Stay close to the Word and speak when recovering from any ordeal like sickness, divorce, death or even with past hurts and wounds! Receive a discerning heart, and lean not on what you know but lean on God. It is His Word that is lamp to our feet and a light to our path! Knowing Jesus is our Wisdom, when we listen, we add to our learning. It should be God's guidance we desire and to do always!

Father, Your Word says, "my son , give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out it springs the issues of life." Today we pray for our heart to hold the words of life. We understand that one's preferences and inclinations can be subjected directly by the world. We also understand that the world has the pre-conversion heart and can affect our relationship with YOU our Father when we do not guard our heart with Your Word! Proverbs 11:;2 tells us that "when pride comes, then comes shame; but with the lowly is wisdom.
Father, today we set ourselves to resist pride when it comes!

Today, we expect Your Word to rule over our hearts as we walk with You on this journey of eternal life. We do not desire to be those of vanity and pride, but those who will give glory to God for all that He does in this place. We have come to worship and give thanks today for all that You have done for us and we expect to see Your will done in our lives and our children's lives as well!

We, Lord, do not desire for You to withdraw from us! We know this can be a problem that affects our walk with You. We desire for our lives to be God-centered. We do not want to be overtaken by any thing that possessions can bring as they matter little to us in the scheme of life. We certainly cannot take "stuff" with us when we leave this world! You, our Creator, never intended materialism to be the basis for abundant living.

Today we will hear what God the Lord will speak for He will speak peace to his people and his saints. Today we will not turn back to folly in pride for surely God's salvation is near to us who fear Him that glory may dwell in our land. (Psalm 85:8-13) Lord You will indeed give what is good and our land will yield its harvest that is righteousness. Thank You for preparing the way for our steps in this process. AND Thank You that the reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is riches, honor and life. It is in Jesus' name we pray. Amen

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV