Refresher of Hearts

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all.

I recommend that you read each part, there are amazing details—

and God took care of each and every one! 

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This post is the continuation of my study of Philemon.   

I, Paul, write it with my own hand, I promise to repay it [in full]—and that is to say nothing [of the fact] that you owe me your very self! Yes, brother, let me have some profit from you in the Lord. Cheer and refresh my heart in Christ. Philemon 1:19-20 (AMP)

“Refresh” - ἀνάπαυσόν anapauson- means “to give rest to, to give repose, to free from sorrow or care;” and the sense is, that by receiving Onesimus, Philemon would cause the deep and anxious feelings of Paul to cease, and he would be calm and happy. 

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Cheer and refresh my heart. Do my actions cheer and refresh the hearts of others? That would be an awesome daily goal—be a refresher of hearts! 

How does one be a "refresher of hearts"? 

Well, first and foremost, it all begins with a relationship with Christ. Then that relationship with Christ must impact one's daily life and relationships with others  (Colossians 3; Put On). And as that relationship with Christ impacts relationships with others, then one can be a "refresher of hearts". 

Refresher of hearts. 

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed andrestored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. James 5:16

To be a "refresher of hearts", my own heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). 

A Positive Report

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing

Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all.

I recommend that you read each part, there are amazing details—

and God took care of each and every one! 

______________________________________________

This post is the continuation of my Study of Colossians.    

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are faring and that he may comfort and cheer and encourage your hearts. Colossians 4:8 (AMP)

The results of sharing a positive news report is comfort, cheer and encouragement! It's always great to hear a "positive report" on someone. Paul wanted the Colossians to know how he was doing. So he sent a message with Tychicus. 

As I read this verse, I had to stop and think of the conversations I have with others. Are my words comforting? Do I cause cheer? Do my words encourage others? Are my conversations positive? Or are my words divisive? Do my words cause strife? Do my words cause discord? Am I sharing only the negative? 

Words are powerful. The words I share can create an atmosphere of peace or war. Remember Colossians 4:6? Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with the grace of God. 

Paul could have complained to the people of Colossians. He had suffered much because of sharing the gospel of God. Paul wanted to share how well he was doing—and that is because Paul had a positive attitude of what God was doing. We know from other writings of Paul, that Paul knew how to be content no matter his situation. He sang praises from prison. Paul knew that God was greater than any situation he found himself—therefore, Paul could be positive! 

So Paul shared how he was doing, and used a trustworthy messenger to share a positive report to encourage others. 

If I want to my conversations to be positive, it all begins with a heart permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). For no matter my situation, I know that God is in control. Therefore, I can focus on the positive and encourage others by sharing God's amazing love.