Day: March 25, 2024

Master in Heaven

Masters, treat your servants considerately. Be fair with them. Don’t forget for a minute that you, too, serve a Master—God in heaven. Colossians 4:1

The messageSingapore’s Ministry of Manpower announced in 2022 that all migrant domestic workers must be given at least one rest day a month that employers couldn’t compensate them for instead of giving them the day off. Employers, however, were concerned they wouldn’t have someone to care for their loved ones on those days. While the logistics of caregiving could be solved by making alternative arrangements, their attitude in not seeing the need for rest wasn’t as easy to solve.Treating others considerately isn’t a new issue.

The apostle Paul lived in a time where servants were seen as the property of their masters. Yet, in the last line of his instructions to the church on how Christ like households should operate, he says that masters are to treat their servants “justly” (Colossians 4:1 esv). Another translation says, “Be fair with them” (the message).

Just as Paul tells the servants to work “for the Lord, not for human masters” (3:23), he reminds the masters also of Jesus’ authority over them: “you also have a Master in heaven” (4:1). His purpose was to encourage the Colossian believers to live as those whose ultimate authority is Christ. In our interaction with others—whether as an employer, employee, in our homes or communities—we can ask God to help us do what’s “right and fair” (v. 1).

Prayer Heavenly Father, please forgive me for times when I don’t treat others fairly. Help me to submit to You as the Master of my life.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

Slavery was an integral part of the Roman economy in Paul’s day. In Colossians 3:22–4:1, Paul calls for slaves to serve honorably and to do so “with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord” (v. 22). This verse has tragically been abused by those wishing to defend the terrible practice of slavery. But we read in the book of Philemon that Paul sent the escaped slave Onesimus back to his owner Philemon with a letter telling the slave owner to receive him “no longer as a slave, but . . . as a dear brother” (Philemon 1:16). The letter says, “Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask” (v. 21). What more could Philemon do than to give Onesimus his freedom? Paul’s goal wasn’t societal revolution, it was the transformation of each heart.

Sol.Celin Portia

📖Philippians 4:6-9
Worry about nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto GOD.
And the peace of GOD, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ JESUS.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the GOD of peace shall be with you

💎💎💎
💫Think Like GOD, Think POSITIVE THOUGHTS

▫️A good place to start in thinking positive thoughts like our GOD is having a grateful and thankful heart, and spirit
Looking back at Creation in Gen. 1:31 “And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it completely.
GOD had pleasant feelings about what He created and approved same.

In my understanding, gratitude and thankfulness are two sides of same coin: we could see gratitude as appreciation of what has been done or received, and thankfulness as pleasant feelings for what others have done for us or what we receive.

▪️ From our Scripture passage, Phillipians 4:6 enjoin us to “pray with thanksgiving in every circumstance” An African proverb says

‘a child that shows gratitude for what he received yesterday, will receive more in coming days’

▫️GOD is above all, and deserving of our gratitude for He made us in His image. If we cannot offer our current prayer requests from the foundation of a life that is currently filled with thanksgiving, we will not get a favorable divine response.

▫️It takes a discerning heart to see that GOD is God of Orderliness and principles. For following gratitude is peaceful heart:
Phillip. 4:7 “And GOD’s peace, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ JESUS.

▫️The Holy Bible presents detailed instructions on what kind of things we should think about. These good things are things that will build us up and not tear us down.

In Phillipians 4:8 are listed whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things (fix your mind on them)

▫️Our thoughts certainly affect our attitudes and moods. Everything the LORD tells us is for our own good. He knows when people are full of wrong thoughts, they are miserable, and I have learned from personal experience that miserable pple usually end up making others miserable also.

▫️Thinking in line with Scripture is the best solution to negative thoughts, because Satan usually deceives people into thinking that the source of their misery or trouble is something other than what it really is. He wants them to think they are unhappy due to what is going on around them (their circumstances), but the misery is actually due to what is going on inside them (their thoughts).

^{▫️In Conclusion, it is important to be grateful to GOD in all circumstances we find ourselves. This is guaranteed foundation for a peaceful heart, hence dwelling on truthful virtues and lovely reports will translate our actions to reflect GOD’s character and heart.}

PRAYER

ABBA Father we thank You for guidance through Your Word. LORD, help us to change the things we allow our minds to dwell upon towards positive things, in order that we might be on the way to greater freedom, wholeness and victory, in JESUS Name: AMEN 🙏🏾

Sol.Ademola Omobuwa