Refresh
my
Heart
It's a tiny little book. One page. Twenty-five short verses, tucked away between Titus and Hebrews.
It can be read in a few minutes but I don't think it can truly be fully absorbed so quickly. The primary theme of this book is the change in status of Onesimus from slave to brother in Christ.
What caught my attention this time is Paul's referral to refreshing: first, he thanks Philemon for refreshing the hearts of the saints (v.7); then later (v.20) Paul asks Philemon to "refresh my heart in Christ".
I loved reading that and started to think about how to do that. What is it that refreshes us, and how do we do that for each other? That led to a list which has become a sort of "audit tool" for me as I compare the habits and practices of my life with the teachings I find in God's word.
How do I stack up against that list? Hmm. Some days better than others. Some days I fail miserably, and if I'm totally honest, some days I don't even try very hard.
Some days I'm tired, overwhelmed, my Spirit completely dry. There is nothing in me for me, let alone anything left for anyone else. Do you ever feel that way?
What do you do when that happens? How are you refreshed in Christ? How do you refresh others?
As Christians it is both our responsibility and our privilege to "refresh the saints".
For the next few weeks, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I'd like to explore some ways that we can be refreshed as we refresh the hearts of others. I need it. I think we all do at one time or another.
I hope these posts will bless you as God's word always does. I also hope you will share your own experiences.
Join me starting Monday for a series of posts on refreshing your spirit. Here's a little sneak peek - prayer is one way we do this for one another.
Let's start that now. I'm praying that we will all learn how to lift one another up, and that we will have a refreshed relationship with Jesus and with one another.
Be refreshed today.
Sherri
It can be read in a few minutes but I don't think it can truly be fully absorbed so quickly. The primary theme of this book is the change in status of Onesimus from slave to brother in Christ.
What caught my attention this time is Paul's referral to refreshing: first, he thanks Philemon for refreshing the hearts of the saints (v.7); then later (v.20) Paul asks Philemon to "refresh my heart in Christ".
I loved reading that and started to think about how to do that. What is it that refreshes us, and how do we do that for each other? That led to a list which has become a sort of "audit tool" for me as I compare the habits and practices of my life with the teachings I find in God's word.
How do I stack up against that list? Hmm. Some days better than others. Some days I fail miserably, and if I'm totally honest, some days I don't even try very hard.
Some days I'm tired, overwhelmed, my Spirit completely dry. There is nothing in me for me, let alone anything left for anyone else. Do you ever feel that way?
What do you do when that happens? How are you refreshed in Christ? How do you refresh others?
As Christians it is both our responsibility and our privilege to "refresh the saints".
For the next few weeks, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I'd like to explore some ways that we can be refreshed as we refresh the hearts of others. I need it. I think we all do at one time or another.
I hope these posts will bless you as God's word always does. I also hope you will share your own experiences.
Join me starting Monday for a series of posts on refreshing your spirit. Here's a little sneak peek - prayer is one way we do this for one another.
Let's start that now. I'm praying that we will all learn how to lift one another up, and that we will have a refreshed relationship with Jesus and with one another.
Be refreshed today.
Sherri
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