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.
"If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search..."
"Dear Friend,
Before I ascended to the Father, I promised My disciples that I would send the Spirit. I promised I would pour out the Spirit on people...."
"Once you make up your mind never to stand waiting and hesitating when your conscience tells you what you ought to do, and you have got the key to every blessing..."
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