Chained Forever

[S] Philemon 1:10,23-24 (NIV) --
that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.


[O] These people listed here by Paul have one thing in common and that bonded them as intimate friends for life.  They were all chained (in prison) together for their faith in Christ Jesus.  The focus is not the imprisonment but that they were one in heart to face any difficulty in order to cling on to Jesus in their hearts.

[A] What is my pain threshold in life?  Am I willing to stand up for Jesus even to this level of "pain"?  My mind is so trained to avoid pain, my walk with Jesus can easily take on the mentality of smooth sailing.  I should not go looking to put myself through pain but I should partner up with others who are unafraid to stand up beyond our boundaries of comfort.  They will last forever.

[P] Dear Jesus, thank You for placing wonderful partners in Christ in my life.  I want to be like Paul where he had cultivated this and of brothers who were unafraid to go through the tough times just for the sake of Christ's name and what He lived & died for.  Please send a band of brothers/sisters who will lock arms together to have big dreams to live for while on this earth.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.