Onesimus

In reading the book of  Philemon in the N.T., which is only one short chapter I came across some notes I had taken on it years back. It is one or Paul's prison letters.  Philemon, a Christian at Colosse, had a slave named Onesimus.  He had robbed his master and fled Rome.  There he came across Paul and was converted.

(God has ways to get our attention.) 

He must have told Paul what he had done to his Master.  Paul counseled him and, no doubt told him he would have to go back to Philemon and  make restitution.  So Paul writes a letter on Onesimus behalf.  

Paul is interceding on his behalf.  In verse 17 he ask Philemon to "Receive him as myself.  If he hath wronged thee or oweth thee anything, put it on my account."  In another place "I beseech thee for my son, Onesimus

whom I have begotten in my bonds."  He was unprofitable in the past but he has had a change of heart and now Paul knew he would be profitable to Philemon as he had been to Paul.  Paul would have like to keep him but knew that he belonged to another.

1. We are God's property, as was Onesimus the property of Philemon.

2. We robbed God, and ran away, but our Apostle and High Priest,  found us, transformed us 

and  brought us back to to our Master (Jesus Christ) whom He, to God, the Father, besought to receive us as Himself.

3. God charged all our debts up to the account of Jesus Christ and we were free.

4. We wronged Him,  and went out to hide from His presence in the crowd, but the Holy Spirit apprehended  us.

5.  The Roman law had a provision that a slave might become free so he could be adopted and freed.

We were born in sin and enslaved to Satan, but Jesus Christ with His shed Blood, freed us so we could be adopted into the family of God.

 Read this book and compare:

Philemon - The Father

Onesimus - slave or sinner

Paul, the intercessor (Christ)

BUSY DAYS

We have been pretty busy around here.  First we had our Faith Promise Missions conference.  The Lord really helped and over $150,000 was pledged for the year.  We are taking on new missionaries.  Fundamental Baptist Church truly has a heart for missions.  Thank the Lord for a sacrificial people.  We don't have a lot of rich people in our church ~ but we do have a church that loves missionaries. I can speak for us personally.  We have no idea where the money comes from but we do know He has never failed us.  I guess that is why it is called 

"Faith Promise"

 We also had to prepare for the Louisiana Home School Convention,  every year in April the home school

children compete with other home schools.  They pick out projects to do and get them ready for the last week in April.  This was Adam's first year to compete.  Pastor likes for each child to do as many projects as possible.  Adam entered eleven.  We knew this would be a trial year, since neither of us knew what to expect.

The judges are very strict.  Here are pictures of some of his work.

The flowers are made out of coke cans.

He made a metal stand to set this in.  He placed

2nd in this. The stand was a three leg metal stand.

He also placed in this bread box he made.  This category was wood work.

It had to have certain specs. He missed a couple but still placed.

This was a wood turning bowl he made.  He placed 2nd in it.

He wrote a short story and placed in it.  He play a solo on his guitar and placed 2nd.

He and a friend did a guitar duet and placed second.

He drew a colored free hand picture of an old barn.  He placed in it

also.  

This was the boys ensemble.  Adam is by the mike on the right. They placed second.  The girls ensemble placed second, also.

This is Adams ribbons.  11 out of 11.  None of them placed first but

we were so proud of him and the other young people that participated.   We had 21 that participated and they all did real good.  They are a good group of young people.  Last, but not least ~ they brought home the Christian Character Trophy.  That is what every school strives for.  

The last night we ended up with a Banquet and the Awards ceremony.  Now we look forward to next year.

                                            Blessings,  Aliene