March 9, 2025 -- Philippians 2:25 -- Who is your Epaphroditus?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need…
Philippians 2:25 ESV
 
When I started memorizing this section of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, I was thinking how time-bound it is. How is it relevant to me, today, in 2025? I mean, it is obvious that Paul was blessed by the messenger who had been sent by the little Philippian congregation. Epaphroditus traveled, risking his safety, and brought to him their financial gift and news of how the people were doing. While it is true the people at Philippi sent Epaphroditus to Paul, it is even more accurate, truth really, to note it was God Himself to sent Epaphroditus. Realizing this, the passage broke open.
 
I think of the man who does so much here in Moncton, Alan, volunteering with Redemption Prison Ministry. He prepares the prayer prompter and bulletin each week for our Wednesday Chapel. He is often driving here and there, bringing various people under the care of RPM to meetings, appointments, or out for a social event. He visits people during the week. Prays for the ministry, and with Fay, prays for me and Carolyn, their brother and sister in Christ. He and Fay are fellow workers. They long for the gospel of Jesus Christ to be brought to all whom God would bring into our path. They have opened their home on Sunday mornings for Chapel Services and Wednesday evenings for supper and then a chapel/bible study. Fay has endless recipes for wonderful suppers on Wednesdays. There are always special desserts, made from recipes she has collected from various people. Fay makes sure any left-over food and desserts are always sent home with our attendees.
 
God has presented me with fellow soldiers. At critical times in my life there are men whom God has raised up and who, by their presence and help, I know I have fellow soldiers. Gabe is my accountability partner. He can, and often does, ask me anything about my walk with God. What a blessing. I have known him for more than twenty years and though we are separated by many miles, God has blessed us so that we stay in contact through texting and calls. Over the last two days, a new friend, Stephen, was to me and my traveling companion, Devon, a fellow soldier. I was committed to going to Grand Falls on Friday. The weather would say otherwise. Stephen met me and my fellow traveler in Woodstock. I was done. The roads were bad. Despite the snow (which already since the mid-way point of travel to Woodstock) was blowing through the air, and drifting over the highways, he met us. He had his truck with AWD, warmed and ready, and he drove to Grand Falls while we stayed warm, safe and blessed by his ministry. On Saturday, having brought me back to Woodstock, he sheltered me and then re-arranged his schedule so that he could, through bad weather, once again, bring me this time to Edmundston where I could minister to a young man.
 
On Saturday morning, before we headed out, he prepared breakfast. Stephen hosted two people who minister to his needs, and have often ministered to mine, Paul and Joyce. A lovely couple living in Woodstock; they have been prayer warriors and dear friends. They are a couple who minister to the needs of many. 

There are many others, like David, who regularly call to encourage me. People near and far who read the prayer prompter and pray. Others who have contributed financially to RPM, the national office. Others who contribute to the local needs here in Moncton, through the Redemption Prison Ministry Moncton - Mercy Fund. Still others who have brought food for Wednesday night suppers.
 
At various critical times and through unexpected people, God has sent His messengers. There are men, who I’d love to mention, who know who they are, who are God’s messengers to me. (Privacy concerns forbid me to publicize their names.) Men who have depression but courageously show up for Bible study anyway. A man who is memorizing (and is way in the distance ahead of me in his memorization). A man who, though previously never a letter-writer, suddenly has become eloquent in the Lord and is writing frequent letters. There are many others who minister to me and who minister to Carolyn and me as a couple.
 
Who is the Epaphroditus God has raised up in your life? The brother, the fellow worker, the fellow soldiers, those who minister to your needs. I urge you to spend time blessing God for the mercy He has shown you through the service of these men and women. Bless Jesus, Who is ultimately the great elder brother, your fellow worker (see: I Corinthians 3:9.) Who soldiers side by side with you in the gospel ministry? Who ministers to your need? Bless God in prayer with thanksgiving. It is the Spirit of God Who raises up such people so that in unity with God and with fellow Christians you can serve with gospel power.
 
Glorious Father in heaven, You do all things well. By Your Spirit’s work in me, give me recall so that I will recognize and acknowledge with thanks before You those who You’ve sent to minister to me. Thank You, above all, for Jesus Christ, to Whom, by their work and ministry, all those messengers of the gospel bear witness. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/h89-3_kIRDA?si=N6mgO5m31NWsc2pg Your Love Broke Through
 

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