Daily Devotional--8/13/2010

Philippians 2:25-30

²⁵But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. ²⁶For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. ²⁷Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. ²⁹Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, ³⁰because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.

James 1:2-4

²Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ⁴Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Epaphroditus was in a key role of encouragement and service to Paul. He was valued and affirmed for his ministry. Yet, he suffered.

• What hardships did Epaphroditus face? (Verses 26, 27, 30)
• Often Christians think that if they are believers and serving the Lord that everything should workout easily for them. Does this passage support that concept?
• What does James 1:2-4 teach about trials?