February 25th

God Thoughts February 22

Memorize: I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. Philemon 4,5

Read Philemon

Last night I watched the movie "Contagion" from 2011.  Soon 

after her return from a business trip to Hong Kong, Beth Emhoff 

dies from what is a flu or some other type of infection. Her young 

son dies later the same day. Her husband Mitch however seems 

immune. Thus begins the spread of a deadly infection. For 

doctors and administrators at the U.S. Centers for Disease 

Control, several days pass before anyone realizes the extent or 

gravity of this new infection. They must first identify the type of 

virus in question and then find a means of combating it, a 

process that will likely take several months. As the contagion 

spreads to millions of people worldwide, societal order begins to 

break down as people panic.

Interestingly, in real life how you fight contagion is Handle & 

Prepare Food Safely, Wash Hands OftenClean & Disinfect 

Commonly Used Surfaces, Cough & Sneeze Into Your Sleeve. ...

Don't Share Personal Items.  Avoid touching wild animals!

Lastly, the big one is to get the vaccine.

Today, as you read the book of Philemon, notice how many have 

been infected with the contagion of bitterness.  Highlight, the names 

we usually fly by like; Apphia and Archippus.  Sin is a contagion 

that spreads rapidly.  Best way to handle a contagion is minute 

by minute sanitation.  This is what I call: "God’s commit sin-

confront sin-confess-forgive plan.

Now, avoid touching the wild animals of sin!  Paul, could have 

made the sour situation worse, by blaming, Isolating, vilifying 

and controlling.  In short, he could have handled the contagion by 

sinning.  Instead, he chose to avoid these wild animals and by 

sharing, caring,  and communicating Christ he facilitated 

forgiveness.

The vaccine against the contagion of bitterness and sin is 

Jesus!  "“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the 

world!"  John 1:29

Prayer:  

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom 

come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this 

day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have 

forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver 

us from evil.'  Amen