The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 16 September 2019 – Faithful Workers

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TOPIC: Faithful Workers

READ: Philippians 2:12-30 King James Version (KJV)

12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.

20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.

22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

23 Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.

24 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.

25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.

26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:

30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

THE MESSAGE:

Paul was really blessed to have Timothy and Epaphroditus to help him while in prison custody in Rome. Epaphroditus was sent by the Philippian Church to minister to the needs of Paul. He became sick in the course of running the errand and stayed with Paul, thus becoming his companion in labour and a fellow soldier (verse 25). Paul urged the Philippians to work out their salvation with fear and trembling (verse 12) which implies to continually work to bring something to completion or fruition.”

It is good to have faithful people around especially when one is in trouble. Today, we have many fair-weather friends – those who only come around when the going is good. Even the disciples of Jesus deserted Him and ran away for their lives when He was arrested. Peter followed afar off. How faithful are we to people? How often do we visit those who are sick, the aged, the destitute, the widows, those in prison or in one problem or another? Visitation is a necessary part of the Christian service meant to be a source of encouragement and ministration for the needy. Pay a visit today! Pray also for those in trouble.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, grant us the grace to bless and comfort the needy today.