“Greet one another with a holy kiss.” ( Romans 16:16)
God works through people and the reason why relationships matter the most. One person who enphasized relationships was Apostle Paul. In one letter he cited over 30 different friends whom he had established a working relationship in the cause to win souls for Christ.
“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea” ( Romans 16:1), he starts. Then rememembers, “Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus” ( vv 4). He goes on to add: “Greet my dear friend Epenetus. He was the first person from the province of Asia to become a follower of Christ. Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit. Greet Andronicus and Junia,my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me” ( vv 6-7).
The list of relationships in Paul’s life seems endless: “Give my greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who meet with them. Give my greetings to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and to Olympas and all the believers who meet with them” ( vv 14-15). And of course there was also, “Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you his greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow Jews” ( vv 21).
All this leads to an important question: can you count as many relationships who feature in your life as co-workers in Christ! Paul figured out that he couldn’t do it all alone. He relied on people to get God’s work done. He noted down their names and took time to greet them personally.
We could equally pick up from him and start investing in relationships. Through these dear friend in Christ, God opens doors to extend His kingdom.
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray to emphasize relationships in my life, through whom together we accomplish your work, and this I pray in Jesus’s name!
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
