Thursday 20 February, 2014
2 Timothy 1:15-18
15 You know that all the believers in Asia Minor have deserted me. They include Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord show mercy to all who live in the house of Onesiphorus. He often cheered me up. He was not ashamed that I was being held by chains. 17 In fact, it was just the opposite. When he was in Rome, he looked everywhere for me. At last he found me. 18 May Onesiphorus find mercy from the Lord on the day Jesus returns as judge. You know very well how many ways Onesiphorus helped me in Ephesus.
Seeing someone in hospital, writing a letter to someone mourning, texting someone who needs encouragement, praying for the needs of others. These all can seem like small actions. Yet these are the efforts that move the Kingdom forward.
Onesiphorus refreshed Paul when he really needed it, Paul the man who wrote the most letters contained in the New Testament. Onesiphorus moved the Kingdom of God forward through these acts of love and kindness towards Paul.
Phygelus and Hermongenes did nothing good to advance the Gospel by their inaction in supporting Paul.
“Lord, show me the little things to do each day, that can make big differences in the life of a brother or sister, and can change eternity in your Kingdom!” Amen
Written by Andrew Mellor
Being actively involved in God’s church family, and reaching out to your brothers and sisters in time of need, is a great way of moving the Kingdom forward in people’s lives.
During my illness last year, Carolyn and I received many bible verses and words of encouragement, via SMS, which was a great source of hope and encouragement from our church family!
A little thought and prayer can go such a long way. 🙂
I believe encouraging those who are down is a task close to God’s heart. That is why, what you are saying Andrew is so important and is something we should consider practicing on a daily basis.
.
I have found small gestures can make a big difference but the key is ‘timing’. With the right timing a small gesture can have a greater impact than a grand gesture. Look to God for sensitivity and timing and you will be amazed how personally fulfilling it is to deliver ‘a simple act of kindness’ to someone in need.
Thanks Andrew!
Quick Word Study
————————
v16 – He often ‘cheered me up’ sometimes translated ‘refreshed’ or ‘comforted’ or ‘encouraged’.
The original Greek is a compound word meaning ‘to complete a process’ of ‘cooling by blowing/exhaling’. The meaning pictures the idea of the natural tendency to blow on something like a burnt finger in order to relive the pain.