As Paul faced the difficulties of imprisonment, he was more concerned about the people in Ephesus than he was about himself. Rather than keeping Tychicus close at hand for his personal benefit, Paul sent him back to bless the people in Asia Minor. Even in his times of difficulty and danger, Paul was more concerned to bless than he was to be blessed. Isn't that a great example to us today? We often get upset about minor inconveniences, and let our being upset ruin our attitude toward everyone around us. Paul's example should convict us and lead us to be a blessing to others regardless of our circumstances.
Video Commentary...
We've included Phil's ToGather video from four years ago as an added blessing to our verse today:
Father, please forgive me for letting my difficulties ruin my attitude. I want to be a blessing to others regardless of my personal circumstances. Convict me with your Spirit when I begin to focus too much on myself and my personal situations. Expand my heart with your grace so that I can use my inconveniences, problems, struggles, and challenges to be opportunities to share and display your grace. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
"And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. May the Lord lead your hearts into a full..."
"We need deliberately to call to mind the joys of our journey. Perhaps we should try to write down the blessings of one day. We might begin; we could never end;...."
"[Jesus continued,] "And when [the Advocate] comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God's righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The....."
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted....."
About This Devotional
Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.
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