10 Steps To A Happy Life

This is a nice revelation I received in the middle of work today...

-10 Steps To A Happy Life-

Step 1: You need God.
Step 2: Walk the rest of the steps with Him.

^_^

“Whence comes this idea that if what we are doing is fun, it can't be God's will? The God who made giraffes, a baby's fingernails, a puppy's tail, a crooknecked squash, the bobwhite's call, and a young girl's giggle, has a sense of humor. Make no mistake about that.”

-Catherine Marshall

I've finally finished typing out 1 Timothy... Praise God!
Can't wait to start reviewing it in-depth and get into the details of this last epistle of Apostle Paul ^_^

Review of The Epistle to Philemon

The Epistle to Philemon was written around 61-63 AD, during one of Paul's imprisonments. This book can be summed up rather simply - Paul edifies and praises Philemon and company for their love and faith towards Christ Jesus and the saints. Paul then appeals to Philemon to take back Onesimus, not as his slave but rather like a brother, in Christ.

This letter is rather interesting as Paul mentions that he is a prisoner of Christ Jesus no less than 3 times (verse 1, 9 and 23). It was so subtly used that I would never have noticed it if I didn't chance upon one of the commentaries while doing my research on this book. Of course the Lord is not a God of luck and chance but of divine appointment, and I believe that this phrase Paul used is of great significance in this letter. Why?

Onesimus used to be the slave of Philemon's household but now he has somehow ended up with Paul. Whether he ran away to him or was given by Philemon to Paul is an on-going debate by theologians. However the important point is Paul has now found Onesimus to be profitable to himself and Philemon, not because of his role as a slave, but now as a fellow brother-in-Christ.

This is where the phrase "prisoner in Christ" finally makes sense. Paul recognises himself as a prisoner in Christ and Onesimus once a prisoner to Philemon as a slave. He has managed to put into perspective their status not among men, but with regards to the Lord Jesus. This way, even though slavery was a common form of labour in his time, Paul attempts to convince Philemon to accept Onesimus back and treat him with the same respect of a fellow brother in the Lord (v16).

In addition, Paul also challenges Philemon to expand his capacity to love. He has already done so by his love which has greatly refreshed the saints (v7). However Paul desires for Philemon to also extend his love to his slave Onesimus, regardless of his past wrongdoings. (v18)

Paul doesn't use his position as a respected apostle of Jesus Christ to command Philemon to do so, even though he well could. Rather he appeals to him... Like how a brother would... ^_^

Finally Paul ends by reminding Philemon about the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ; His grace which transforms every believer who actively seeks to form a relationship with Him and brings salvation to all who believes in the Lord Jesus and His work on the cross.

Well I hope this review helps make sense of this letter.


The Lord's Blessing and Love be with you all. ^_^

I've started hand-typing the books of the bible into Ropheka. They can be found just below the verse and quotes of the day. It's really no surprise that I begun with the book of Philemon as it’s the shortest book in the bible ^_^

Typing the books out has given me a unique experience when studying the bible. Because I'll usually end up breezing through the verses, I end up forgetting them as I go. This way, the verses are easier to understand, God's heart seems clearer, and the verses stay in... Longer... ^_^

The amazing thing is in the middle of it, I suddenly felt Apostle Paul emotions; his enthusiasm and zeal, his passion and love, his heart and dedication. It’s a wonderful feeling to have, really.

Coming up next, the letters of Apostle Paul to Timothy...

Welcome to Ropheka @ blogspot... The place where I hope you'll find answers to anything Jesus Christ. This project has been on my mind and in my heart for months now and I've finally come round to doing it ^_^


This is my journey, to find out more about my Lord Jesus Christ; the work He finished for me in the past, how His sacrifice has affected my present life, and how He has changed the course of my future.

For He died and rose again, that we all may have everlasting life...

"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory...... To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Ephesians 3:14-19