READ: 2 Timothy 1:15-18
15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
KEY THOUGHT:
Good friends are blessings. Being a gracious friend can make a difference in someone’s life. Being gracious means that you are a blessing to someone by being kind and generous to that person. That kindness and generosity is expressed specifically through the provision of the gospel and your willingness to share not only in word but in deed as well. The apostle Paul mentions a gracious friend named Onesiphorus, who seemed to go above and beyond for Paul regardless of Paul’s circumstances and, in Paul’s words, sought him out and refreshed him. The word “refresh” means that he treated Paul kindly and ministered not only to his needs, but also to his wants. Being a gracious friend is being a refreshing friend – one that doesn’t wear out. What kind of friend are you?
CONSIDER:
- Think of your close friends. Who among them refresh you? What makes them refreshing?
- Why should you look for opportunities to be a gracious friend?
- How can you refresh someone this week?
APPLICATION:
Be refreshing to someone close to you by being a gracious friend!
