Letter of Recommendation

 

Letter of Recommendation

Philippians 2: ²⁵ I have thought it necessary to send to you our brother Epaphroditus, who has worked and fought by my side and who has served as your messenger in helping me. ²⁶ He is anxious to see you all and is very upset because you had heard that he was sick. ²⁷ Indeed he was sick and almost died. But God had pity on him, and not only on him but on me, too, and spared me an even greater sorrow. ²⁸ I am all the more eager, then, to send him to you, so that you will be glad again when you see him, and my own sorrow will disappear. ²⁹ Receive him, then, with joy, as a believer in the Lord. Show respect to all such people as he, ³⁰ because he risked his life and nearly died for the sake of the work of Christ, in order to give me the help that you yourselves could not give.

 

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Working hard made me gain a reputation amongst the owners of the bowling alley. It was easy to get them to write a letter of recommendation for me. But on the job that I missed opening the office because I was hanging out partying, I could not get a letter. In fact, I was fired.

 

• Both experiences shaped me.
• I was reliable on one job and unreliable on another.
• I did not know people were paying attention to me nor did I think it had any bearing on my future.

 

Paul spoke highly in his letter about Epaphroditus. He gave his best recommendation because both had gone through a lot together as they dedicated their life speaking about CHRIST. Like Paul, Epaphroditus “risked his life” for the sake of the work of CHRIST. Paul knew his belief was real.

 

My Observations

• All of my actions are seen by GOD.
• What is in my heart for others writes my letter of recommendation for myself.
• GOD knows when I am insincere and when I am sincere, therefore HE places me in charge of things HE cares about based on what I can handle.

 

Faithfulness to me means continuing in the hope when things seem extremely difficult. I mean, when it looks like all hope is lost, my faith has to remain in CHRIST. This may be contrary to what humans recommend. BUT GOD sees my actions and rewards me when I sincerely follow HIM.

 

HE knows the impossible labels people may place on me that may stain my character and HE says “He is tail useful to ME.” Only GOD’s character is perfect, yet he takes imperfect beings like myself, and sends him or her to speak on JESUS’s behalf. I gladly accept the plan GOD has for me and am grateful HE recommends me.

 

Challenge

• What stands out to you in this letter of recommendation?
• Do you think living for GOD has to be hard and uncomfortable for everyone?
• Will you simply “be” so you can live for CHRIST the way HE made you?
• Will you also show respect for more believers and let GOD judge his or her actions so you can be filled with praise to GOD more often?

Bear Letters

Bear Letters

2 Corinthians 3: Does this sound as if we were again boasting about ourselves? Could it be that, like some other people, we need letters of recommendation to you or from you? ² You yourselves are the letter we have, written on our hearts for everyone to know and read. ³ It is clear that Christ himself wrote this letter and sent it by us. It is written, not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, and not on stone tablets but on human hearts.

 

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“Are they still talking?” I said with frustration. My father and a friend’s father seemed to be record holders for talking after church. As we sat in the car, bored, the conversation droned on and on. That “guy” ended up being a mentor to me.

 

• He guided me to GOD outside of what my parents taught.
• He spoke gently about CHRIST so I could understand.
• He let me be my own person so I could carry JESUS in my own way.

 

Paul spoke highly of the people he wrote to. He saw their obvious fruit in how they carried the message of JESUS. Each person had become a living “recommendation letter” written by the SPIRIT of GOD. They were building a collection of letters.

 

My Observations

• My heart has to be open to spreading the word of GOD.
• My actions are not mine but are examples of many people who poured GOD into me.
• My faith has been built by many people who took time to show me how JESUS wants me to act.

 

Bearing letters is the same as bearing fruit but with a slight difference. I mean, fruit may be something I do, never expecting something in return, or not seeing the fruit tree grow in another person. Bearing letters is taking the time to grow people to grow others. In both instances, I am not the benefactor, but CHRIST is.

 

Bearing letters is important to GOD. HE wants the right amount of encouragement, mixed in with patience, mixed in with a tiny dose of correction. The right mix will have someone follow JESUS for themselves and desire to have others do the same. I am glad GOD put many people in my life to guide me to speak about HIM.

 

Challenge

• Can you hear the words of excitement from the writer?
• What words of encouragement have you heard that makes you excited about JESUS?
• Do you have any words of encouragement for someone so they can bear their own fruit for GOD today?