Theme:   Thanksgiving for Philemon’s Faith and Love Using Philemon 4–7, study each verse and make detailed observations in the following areas: Significant words Verb tenses Repetition Figures of speech Theological themes Context Progression of thought Historical and cultural references Review other passages where Paul uses a statement similar to Philemon 1:4 — “I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers.” Instructions: Find and list the references where Paul expr

Using Philemon 1:1–3 , create a short devotional for this morning. As you study each of the three verses, make detailed observations of the following details: Significant words Verb tenses Repetition Figures of speech Theological themes Context Progression of thought Historical and cultural references Click Here to Use a Bible dictionary  to define the names of all characters mentioned in the passage. If you have any questions or insights you’d like to share, please reach ou

Scripture:  “Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city.” — Hebrews 11:16 God delights in those who trust Him and live for eternity. Our faith honors Him—and in return, He honors our faith. Heaven is not a vague dream; it’s a promised home for every believer in Christ. When we live with that assurance, courage replaces fear and hope replaces despair. Reflection:  Are you living today as though heaven is your true home? Prayer:  H

Scripture:  “They desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.” — Hebrews 11:16 Every longing for peace, justice, and home points us toward heaven. God has placed eternity in our hearts—a homesickness for His presence. One day, that longing will be fulfilled when we see Him face to face. Until then, our desire for heaven should make us live more faithfully on earth. Reflection:  How does the hope of heaven shape the way you live today? Prayer:  Lord, thank You for prepar

Scripture:  “For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.” — Hebrews 11:14 Perspective is powerful. The people of faith looked beyond what was temporary and fixed their eyes on what was eternal. When we lose sight of heaven, our hearts drift toward comfort and compromise. But when heaven fills our vision, we endure hardship with hope and live each day with purpose. Reflection:  Are your eyes fixed on the temporary or the eternal? Prayer:  God, lift

Scripture:  “They confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” — Hebrews 11:13 Believers are not meant to blend in with this world. Like travelers passing through, our values and vision belong to another land—heaven. When we live with eternity in mind, our priorities shift. We love differently, forgive more freely, and live more purposefully. Faith that proclaims reminds the watching world that we belong to Jesus. Reflection:  Does your daily life reflect th

Scripture:  “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off…” — Hebrews 11:13 Faith is not a one-time decision; it’s a daily direction. The heroes of Hebrews 11 trusted God even when they didn’t see the fulfillment of His promises. True faith keeps walking when the path is unclear because the heart is confident that God keeps His word. Persevering faith clings to God’s character, not to visible results. Reflection:  What promise of Go

Scripture:  2 Chronicles 20:3–4; Psalm 46:1 3  Jehoshaphat was afraid, and he resolved to seek the Lord. Then he proclaimed a fast for all Judah, 4  who gathered to seek the Lord. They even came from all the cities of Judah to seek him. (CSB) Jehoshaphat did not panic, strategize, or rally his weapons first. Scripture says he “set himself to seek the Lord.” His very first response was to pray. When fear pressed in, he pressed into God. We often do the opposite. We try everyt

Scripture:  2 Chronicles 20:1–2; Ephesians 6:12 2 Chronicles 20:1–2 (CSB) 20  After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, ,  came to fight against Jehoshaphat. 2  People came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast number from beyond the Dead Sea and from Edom has come to fight against you; they are already in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, En-gedi). When the report came to Jehoshaphat that a vast army was approaching, he didn’t ignore it. He didn’t pretend ev

Scripture: “ She made a vow, saying, ‘Lord of Armies, if You will take notice of Your servant’s affliction, remember and not forget me, and give Your servant a son, I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life.’” — 1 Samuel 1:11 Reflection: One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is our prayers. I was reminded of this when my wife, Katie, spoke with a mother who was overwhelmed with her child’s behavior. She had tried everything she knew to do, yet she felt

Scripture: “This Book of Instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it.” — Joshua 1:8 Reflection: Christian meditation is not emptying our minds—it is filling  our minds with God’s Word and then thinking deeply about what it says. It may sound gross but compare this to how a cow chews its cud: slowly, thoughtfully, and repeatedly to get all the nutritional value. One helpful way

Scripture: “Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.”  — 2 Timothy 2:15 (CSB) Reflection: I want you to know how genuinely excited I am to walk through God’s Word with you in the coming weeks. One of my greatest joys as your pastor is opening the Scriptures—not just to prepare sermons, but in my daily devotional time with the Lord. I want to walk with you through that same process s

Scripture:   “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”  — 2 Corinthians 5:17 When Christ saves us, He doesn’t just clean up our old life—He gives us a new one. Before salvation, we were blind, lost, condemned, and spiritually dead. But through His mercy, we are made alive! Our past sins are forgiven, our hearts are changed, and our names are written in the Book of Life. Reflection:  Rejoice today

Scripture: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16 Reflection: Our grip on God’s Word becomes stronger when we engage it in multiple ways—like using all five fingers to hold something firmly. Hear it  by listening to others teach and preach. Take notes on what you hear so truth doesn’t slip away (Romans 10:17). Read it  daily. Set a goal for how much Scripture you will

Scripture:  “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up… be patient with them all.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14 Reflection: Encouragement is a gift in itself—sometimes it’s our words, sometimes our presence, sometimes our service. Lifeway highlights that believers should pray for revelation of their gifts, and then step into ministry opportunities. Lifeway  Reflect on how your gift might look like encouragement. Who around you needs building up? How can you be

Scripture:  “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ… And let us not grow weary of doing good.” — Galatians 6:2, 9 Reflection: When we use our gifts to serve others, we participate in God’s care and compassion. Lifeway emphasizes that each gift is equally valuable and given for the benefit of the body. Lifeway  It might look like an encouraging word, a listening ear, or practical help. Whose burden can you help carry this week? What gift do you have tha

Scripture:  “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you… because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” — Philippians 1:3–5 Paul’s joy overflowed because of faithful friends who shared in the mission of the gospel. Ministry is never meant to be carried alone—it thrives through partnership, prayer, and shared purpose. Gratitude strengthens those bonds and glorifies God. Reflection:  Who are the people you thank God for in ministry, and how can you

Scripture:  “From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” — Ephesians 4:16 Reflection: Growth in Christ is relational and communal. According to Lifeway, exercising our gifts helps us move toward spiritual maturity. Lifeway  The body grows when each member does their part, and the bonds of love knit us together. Who in your life is helping you grow? How might you help someone

Scripture:  “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function… having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.” — Romans 12:4-6 Reflection: God has designed His church like a living body. Every believer is given at least one spiritual gift, uniquely assigned by the Holy Spirit. Lifeway  When you recognize your gift, you’re not just fulfilling a role—you’re participating in God’s mission. How can you mor