Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Gives Healing that Comfort


2 Timothy 1:15-18
“You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped

We all live in a world of sin and face many challenges from time to time.   As Christians, we are called to show kindness and consideration to our brothers and sisters in Christ.  In this passage we see Paul writing to Timothy from prison.  Paul had several friends who knew of his situation in prison.  A couple of them, namely Phygelus and Hermogenes deserted Paul during his time of utmost need.  This was occurring during a time when Christians were being persecuted.  One can argue that they were out to save themselves from harm.  Most Christians were trying to get out of Rome during this time, not stay in it.  But Onesiphorus was not like Phygelus and Hermogenes, he searched out for Paul and comforted him.  He risked his well-being to console and bring joy to his friend.  
 
We have all heard the phrase, a friend in need is a friend indeed.  We also have seen examples of this in the Old Testament in the book of Job when his friends tried to console him.  Onesiphorus was a true friend, loyal, compassionate, and caring.  Paul, leading the charge of spreading the Gospel, needed comfort and compassion while he was imprisoned.  
 
We go through times when we are at either one side or the other of situations like this.  We might be going through a difficult situation and have friends that are able to give us comfort and hope.  We also may have friends in need of comfort during challenging times in their lives.  We are called by God to be loving, kind, and loyal to our friends in their times of need.  We should not just become like a fair-weather friend.  God’s biggest warriors require help, comfort, and consolation from time to time.  It gives them encouragement to continue to take the struggles and challenges for the furtherment of the Kingdom of God.  Let us move to be true, genuine friends to one another.  
 

Prayer
Lord, we are grateful for the people You have placed in our lives to give us comfort during our most difficult times.  Help us also to know that You are calling us to share in Your healing ministry by comforting those that are facing various challenges in our midst.
Amen


Thought for the Day
How is God calling us to be a better friend and how can we better fulfill that role in our lives?

Dr. Joe M. George
Chicago Mar Thoma Church

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