The bestest helper

Our Daily Bread
My family has several pictures of me "helping" them when I was very small.  Churning milk into butter with my little arms.  Serving cookies to visitors.  Cute kid stuff.  Oh how things change!  ha!

We often discount the importance of "helpers". I know I do.  We forget that "helper" is listed in one of the gifts in Paul's scriptures.  It is included in the same list as preachers and teachers!  Jesus also refers to the Holy Spirit as our helper.  I call that the bestest helper of all!  ;-)  A help in the time of trouble.  Strength to face each day and overcome (not just survive).  A mirror that enables us to see into ourselves to we can give everything to God.  A spiritual GPS!  What a helper indeed!

Lord, we thank you for the gift of your helper, The Holy Spirit.  Please help us call upon the Holy Spirit each and every day!

Teaching Tuesday
We studied two short books this week: Philemon and Jude.

Philemon
This book, found near the end of the New Testament, is the shortest of the letters attributed to Paul (335 words in Greek).  It is an interesting book even if it is very short!  Paul is writing to his friend Philemon.  Scholars think that Philemon was a wealthy and powerful man in the Collossae area.  While the letter is addressed to Philemon, it is intended to be read to the church as a whole since he hosted church services in his home.  The book uses several different literary devices, such as a play on words on a name.  Check out the importance of the church in this letter.  Very cool!

Jude
This book was attributed to Jude, one of Jesus' younger brothers who became a believer after his death.  It is thought to pre-date the book of II Peter since that book refers to Jude and uses some of the same language.  Jude has strong warnings against false teachers and folks that seek to damage the church with their actions  A big controversy with the book of Jude is its references to non-canonical books.  At least one book didn't make it into the Apocrypha!  It is a short read.  Check it out sometime.

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Waiting for God is never a waste of time. - Our Daily Bread Jan 26 2014