Daily Devotion | New Rocky Creek Baptist Church

DEPENDABLE

Posted on May 6, 2025 in Devotions |

Introduction: Are you dependable? Can God count on you? By the way, this does not mean perfection! Rather, it begs the question: has your life been brought “under” the Lordship of Jesus Christ to the point that He has molded {and is} your will to be bent toward His will? Admittedly, we are all still in this process.

Today’s devotion will share spiritual insights and disciplines that should move every believer toward being more dependable.

Get the picture. Paul is in prison. Why? Because he had been preaching and teaching the Word of God. He took the known world during his day by storm, refuting false teaching but at the same time proclaiming biblical truth. It literally shook up towns, cities, and provinces for the glory of the Lord! People were being saved, churches were being built, and the gospel was spreading like wildfire! Of course, persecution followed as well.

Meanwhile, one of the assembly of believers located in the area of Philippi were directly involved in this great movement of God. So while being incarcerated and awaiting martyrdom, Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write a letter that is included in the canon of Scripture to a specific Church called Philippians. There were two GIANT-KILLERS and FAITHFUL SERVANTS who were recommended by the flaming evangelist Paul and used by the Lord in a mighty way.

Who were these “TRUSTWORTHY” soldiers of the cross?
Timothy and Epaphroditus were their names.

Being co-laborers together in the vineyard of the Lord’s work, countless millions have heard their names because of their FAITHFULNESS! They were DEPENDABLE.

(Philippians 2:19–25) – “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state… Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.”

Realizing the inevitable while facing martyrdom, the man of God, Paul, writes that he was ready to be “offered” as a sacrifice because of their service. It was all in the providential Will of the Father.

(Philippians 2:17) – “Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.”

Apparently, the believers in this special Church had been spiritual partners with the aged, old soldier Paul—ministering to his needs while faithfully serving Jesus Christ.

Are you faithfully serving Jesus Christ?
What changes do you need to ask God to make in your life?
Rearrangement of priorities? Crucify the flesh?

Bottom line: Because of their TRUSTWORTHINESS and DEPENDABILITY, those in the Church who were followers of Jesus Christ were told to honor these SERVANT LEADERS.

(Philippians 2:29) – “Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation.”

Interestingly enough, the word “reputation” is ἔντιμος (pronounced en’-tee-mos). It means honorable or precious. Furthermore, it has to do with holding in high esteem.

How about it?
Do you want to be TRUSTWORTHY?
Would you like for our great God to be able to DEPEND on you?

Let’s face it—we can certainly DEPEND on Him!
Shouldn’t He be able to DEPEND on us?

Love y’all,

Dr. Randy Reese