What Has God Put in Your Hand?

Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord." I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Colossians 4:15-18


Paul singles out two people who will be reading the letter: Nympha and Archippus. The church at Laodicea met at Nympha, which would mean that she had considerable means and influence in the town. Paul’s greeting to her was appropriate, since his next instruction was that the letter would be read to the Laodicean church that met in Nympha’s house.


Archippus is a relative and possibly the son of Philemon and Apphia (Philemon 1-3). A church also met in their home. Paul’s instruction to Archippus is to complete the work God gave him. Archippus might have been an officer or leader in the church.


Nympha had a home and had influence. Archippus had a role and a work. What do you have? What has God given you that you can use to help others?


Yesterday, I stopped by Jared Emerson’s studio at Art Crossing. I marvel at how Jared can paint and draw. My pencil doesn’t do what his pencil does. So, Jared says to me, “I don’t know how you write.” We all have different gifts.


How has God gifted you? Do you have an ability that God can use? Do you own something that God can use? Pray about how you can serve in our community. Pray about opening up your home for six weeks this Fall to host a small group.


What has God put in your hand? How does He want you to use it?




To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/