SCRIPTURE: 2Timothy (NIV) 1:16 May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. 17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 18 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 me in Ephesus.
OBSERVATION: He was not an apostle, a bishop, or a deacon. But his ministry was so valuable that it was mentioned in the pages of the Bible! He had heard that Paul was in Rome, so he searched hard till he found him. He visited Paul when Paul was in prison. He refreshed Paul. He gave Paul news from outside the prison. He probably had uplifting conversations with Paul whenever he visited. Timothy was aware of the “many ways” Onesiphorus helped Paul in Ephesus; very likely he helped Paul in those same ways in Rome. In being helpful, he probably brought useful things to Paul, perhaps needed writing materials. Maybe the letters Paul wrote from prison were partially enabled by Onesiphorus. Maybe he carried those letters out of the prison! Onesiphorus means “binging profit.” In “many ways” he brought profit.
APPLICATION: Onesiphorus is not the only one without an official position who is included on the pages of the Bible. There are “many ways” I can serve God; I can make myself useful in God’s kingdom. Having a title, or position in the church is not nearly as important as having my sins forgiven and my name written in the Lamb’s book of life.
PRAYER: Holy Spirit, make me aware of the “many ways” I can be helpful to other believers. Amen
Pastor Leon
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