Daily Devo

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So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. (Philem. 17)

Expanded Passage: Philemon 1-25

I was caught in what I thought would be the doldrums of boredom: an impromptu conversation with my brother and his wife, brought on because I was about to be married. However, what started as an uninvited lesson became a crucial personal principle. What was the topic? Forgiveness and reconciliation. Certainly, marriage produces both in varying degrees.

In their godly wisdom, Chris and Michele conveyed that you must work hard to see your spouse through God’s eyes, working through forgiveness and releasing your right to be angry and hurt. Reconciliation, the pinnacle of forgiveness, must release the offender from the past. You cannot move forward while holding an egregious history against the other.

Philemon provides a snapshot of this concept. Onesimus was sent back to Philemon. Both men had once had animosity toward each other. However, both were no longer the same. Each had grown in spiritual character. Clearly spiritual maturity is key in one’s ability to forgive or reconcile effectively. Cultivating love and faith leads to a softened heart which, in turn, develops the capacity for true forgiveness and reconciliation. Paul asked them to lay all that history down, releasing one another from the past to go forward in a new relationship.

We must all learn to do this. Is there someone you are struggling to forgive? Is there a relationship you are struggling to reconcile?

Pursue spiritual maturity that leads to forgiveness and reconciliation.

C. Renee Miller is the founder of CRM Spiritual Care Services and is passionate about assisting believers to unleash and electrify their relationship with Christ.

© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. (Philem. 18)

Expanded Passage: Philemon 17-25

Gladys and Eleanor spent the majority of their adult lives in a forty-two-year feud. Gladys, in her final days, residing in an assisted living home, became singularly focused to make amends with her sister. My search for Eleanor eventually led to the remarkable discovery that she was in the same facility only one floor above. Both ladies were bed-bound, but we managed to get them side by side. Even in their state, they were determined to embrace. Tears flowed. Regrets flowed. Joy flowed. For decades, too many excuses kept their feud intact. Now, they were simultaneously filled with overwhelming joy and profound loss. They were desperate to turn back the hands of time, wishing they had reunited sooner.

Paul acts as a facilitator between Philemon and Onesimus to bring timely reconciliation between them. This speaks to all of us. Many relationships need healing so that resolution is possible. Restoration is the goal each of us must actively work toward. It doesn’t happen accidentally. Of course, Jesus paid the ultimate cost for the ultimate reconciliation. This is our pattern. Reconciliation is the process of restoring two parties back into harmony through the act of removing barriers.

Paul was willing to pay a physical price. We must also willingly pay the cost through healing, forgiveness, patience, and humility. We must remain vigilant to restore relationships now and avoid regret later.

Diligently work toward reconciliation; gain joy and avoid regret.

C. Renee Miller is the founder of CRM Spiritual Care Services and is passionate about assisting believers to unleash and electrify their relationship with Christ.

© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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That you might have him back forever—no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. (Philem. 15–16)

Expanded Passage: Philemon 15-16

She was late again. She genuinely tried but failed to be on time anywhere. Except, there was that one day. She arrived exactly on time. Everyone was shocked and told her as much. In fact, the comments kept coming. Her countenance deflated as she shrank under the weight of these remarks. Then, it hit me. Every time she was late, she was treated respectfully. No one commented. It was business as usual. Now, her on-time behavior had attracted shaming comments.

Watching this unfold, I realized an important truth: when those around us struggle to achieve changes, we can accidently hold them in old patterns by seeing new behavior through the filter of history. Allowing a person the dignity to leave previous versions of themselves behind is fundamental to success.

Paul charged Philemon to be restored with Onesimus as a brother in the Lord, not as Philemon once knew him. Philemon needed to adjust his thinking. He needed to be deliberate about his interactions and intentional about his attitude.

Does this resonate with you? Have you been the Onesimus in your story? Are you desperately reaching for positive change hoping to have your actions positively viewed through the lens of your best efforts? Or are you accidently holding someone in old patterns because you have failed to allow a new filter, a new unencumbered relationship?

Help others achieve their godly transformations.

C. Renee Miller is the founder of CRM Spiritual Care Services and is passionate about assisting believers to unleash and electrify their relationship with Christ.

© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. (Philem. 12)

Expanded Passage: Philemon 12-14

December marked the fifteen-year anniversary of surviving a T-bone collision with a speeding semitruck on the expressway. After years of healing from various injuries, including traumatic brain injury (TBI), the time had come to return to work. I was a new hospice chaplain with a low caseload. I was soon called upon to cover for my chaplain husband, Jim, at his branch while he was away on assignment.

Due to the TBI, I was terrified I couldn’t perform well. The hardest patients were new ones and typically there might be one or two per month. Within four days of Jim’s departure, there were six new patients. This was not my plan! But it was God’s plan. My belief was that I couldn’t handle this circumstance. But I did, and I did it well. My uncertainty was to be expected, but my anxiety was unnecessary. In the end, I became better skilled and was grateful for the experience.

Onesimus had to trust God. When God orchestrates plans, we need only cooperate. This doesn’t mean it will be easy or painless. In fact, those plans may even involve six new patients! But God’s plans will be achievable, and we will thrive as a result. We can never allow anxiety to control our decisions. Worry is to the flesh what prayer is to the spirit. We must trust God and move forward into action.

Do not allow worry to dictate your future.

C. Renee Miller is the founder of CRM Spiritual Care Services and is passionate about assisting believers to unleash and electrify their relationship with Christ.

© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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Yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. (Philem. 9)

Expanded Passage: Philemon 8-11

Have you ever worked alongside someone who was an absolute blessing? I have. Her name was Kris. She was a godly servant who took every opportunity to be poised, kind, and understanding. Her heart was to serve by providing anything necessary for the betterment of those around her. Anyone could depend on this woman to be welcoming, wise, and steadfast.

Paul addressed this quality when he praised Philemon for his generous and willing spirit, remarking that even though he was making a substantially difficult request of Philemon, he didn’t need to “order” him but rather “appeal to him on the basis of love.” Philemon and Onesimus had an unresolved painful history. However, Paul knew Philemon’s heart. Paul could count on Philemon to do what was needed, to rise to the challenge, to set objections aside and do what was being asked of him. This is a model of behavior we all need to develop, especially in our attitude toward Jesus.

Are you dependable with a similar generosity of spirit? Do you possess a welcoming attitude of involvement in whatever God might ask, choosing to set aside your history and do what is needed in the moment because God can appeal to you “on the basis of love”? What is Jesus asking of you right now that you need to engage regardless of personal objections?

Seek to cultivate a generous spirit.

C. Renee Miller is the founder of CRM Spiritual Care Services and is passionate about assisting believers to unleash and electrify their relationship with Christ.

© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. (Philem. 7)

Expanded Passage: Philemon 1

“Do the thing!” little Jennifer exclaimed. She had been working diligently cleaning her room as well as helping her mother. Now came Jennifer’s favorite part: the acknowledgments. It was customary in their home to bestow upon Jennifer declarations of her accomplishments on these special workdays.

So, her mother began, looking directly at her daughter, then out to the room like she was addressing a crowd. “You have done a terrific job today. You listened well and worked peacefully. Jennifer’s help today has made me feel cared for. Jennifer is appreciated and loved!”

While this little girl heard the words spoken over her, she twirled around grabbing at the air like she was catching her mother’s words. Her joy was obvious!

Paul is very intentional about expressing gratitude. He is deliberate about praising the receiver regarding the good deeds accomplished. He acknowledges both Philemon’s success and Paul’s joy in it. He knows Philemon needs to hear it because it strengthens determination and breeds confidence, just like little Jennifer who expectantly begged her mother for the blessing.

We can all recall times when affirmation was greatly desired. Perhaps that time is now. It is extraordinary that while we all need this, we all hold the same key for others. We need to actively look to give encouragement to those around us: family, friends, or simply acquaintances along our daily path.

Be determined to encourage someone every single day!

C. Renee Miller is the founder of CRM Spiritual Care Services and is passionate about assisting believers to unleash and electrify their relationship with Christ.

© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. (Ps. 85:2)

Expanded Passage: Psalm 85:1-3

Forgiveness is a hot topic for many. You can find many books, sermons, and movie plot lines that explore the theme of forgiveness. I can only begin to imagine how many times forgiveness enters into conversations in counseling sessions. We want to know what forgiveness looks like, how many times we must extend it before we reach the limit, and why it is necessary.

The beauty of God’s forgiveness is that it never asks these questions. He chooses to forgive us fully when we repent and turn to him. The psalmist says that God forgave the iniquity of his people and set aside his wrath. He even took it a step further by sending his only Son to die for us once and for all so that we would not have to make continual sacrifices to atone for our sins. What a beautiful gift we have been given!

When was the last time you really thought about the forgiveness of God? Do you remember the last time you experienced the awe of the gift of salvation? It is possible that we have begun to take God’s forgiveness for granted, living as though we deserve it instead of realizing that we actually don’t. Maybe it is time to return to a posture of humility and awe that God would so generously extend his favor and forgiveness so that we may live freely.

Give God praise for forgiving your sins.

Deborah Rhodes is the colead pastor of Parkside Church in Greenville, South Carolina. She is passionate about studying and teaching God’s Word.

© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Phil. 4:20)

Expanded Passage: Philippians 4:5-23

Pastor and theologian Timothy Keller once said, “Everyone worships something. The only choice you get is what to worship.” The more I observe human nature, the more clearly I see this truth. We live in a world that gets hyped up about a lot of things: sports, politics, artists, our jobs, and so on. We allow these things to influence how we talk, dress, treat others, and live our lives. For most people, it happens slowly and unintentionally, but eventually they find themselves consumed by these things and maybe even more passionate about them than anything else, sacrificing time and resources to support, engage, and identify with them.

This is why I love that one of the last things Paul includes in his letter to the Philippian church is the reminder to give God glory. For the entirety of human history, the enemy has been deceiving and working to draw our hearts away from the only one who deserves all our praise and all the glory. We are easily distracted, which is why God calls us to live and walk in the Spirit. When our focus is in the right place it is much more difficult for us to put other things before God.

Paul’s reminder to the Philippians is just as important for us. God alone is worthy. May we live to give him glory today and every day.

Give God glory for who he is in your life.

Deborah Rhodes is the colead pastor of Parkside Church in Greenville, South Carolina. She is passionate about studying and teaching God’s Word.

© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19)

Expanded Passage: Philippians 4:15-19

As a child, my grandmother and aunt loved to take me shopping. As a result, I may have been a bit confused about the difference between wants and needs from a young age. Whenever I found something I liked, I would simply tell them that I needed that item. I can imagine little me toddling through the store carrying a baby doll and declaring, “I need this.” And from what I can gather, that tactic usually worked. It was cute when I was a child, but as an adult, I still have a tendency to confuse my needs and my wants. Living in a consumer-driven world does not help much with this either.

Paul knew what it was like to rely on God to meet his needs. Many times, God used the churches that he had started to help support him and provide what he needed, when he needed it. As a result, Paul knew firsthand the difference between want and need, but he also saw the generosity of God through his people. He reminded the Philippians that their sacrifices were an obedience to God and because of their generosity all his needs had been met.

God knows our every need and, as Paul reminds us, he has the ability to meet those needs in abundance. We do not have to rely on ourselves, we can trust God to provide.

Be honest with the Lord about your needs, then trust his provision.

Deborah Rhodes is the colead pastor of Parkside Church in Greenville, South Carolina. She is passionate about studying and teaching God’s Word.

© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. (Phil. 4:14)

Expanded Passage: Philippians 4:14

There’s a saying I use from time to time: “Not my circus, not my monkeys.” It’s another way of saying, “That’s not my problem.” We don’t like to take on the problems of other people. As far as we’re concerned, we have enough of our own issues.

However, Paul said something to the Philippian church that I find interesting. He told them it was good to share in his troubles. In Christian community, we have a consistent call to live life together, to share our burdens. The first-century church modeled this well, but somewhere along the way, we seem to have stopped following their example. Perhaps sharing troubles became inconvenient, or we became too busy. Perhaps pride kept us from being honest with one another.

To be fair, this level of sharing is not an easy way to live in community with one another. We like the fun parts, celebrating and encouraging others, but to share the hard things often requires more from us than we are willing to give. But Paul knew that there was benefit in this way of living. Sharing troubles produces selflessness and leads to spiritual maturity, which is why Paul called it good. Maybe it’s time to shift our perspective and learn to live in the good of sharing in our troubles.

Support someone in their troubles, and share your troubles with a friend.

Deborah Rhodes is the colead pastor of Parkside Church in Greenville, South Carolina. She is passionate about studying and teaching God’s Word.

© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.