DEV:A Refreshing Saint  by J.W. Bramhall

   "Onesiphorus...  oft refreshed me" --2 Timothy 1:16

   Do you not like to meet a refreshing saint?  Onesiphorus was one who
has been recorded in the Scripture, even refreshing in his day the
greatest of the Apostles, very frequently.  What a blessed testimony!

   1. THE MEANING OF ONESIPHORUS.

   His name means "profit bringer" and he lived up to it, for he was
profitable to the saints of God.  Is not this what every Christian
should be, ministering spiritual profit to the Lord's beloved people
always?

   2. THE QUALITY OF HIS MINISTRY.

   "He oft refreshed me" is the testimony of Paul to the ministry of
this saint.  In the heat of trials and difficulties, a visit by
Onesiphorus was as a "breath of fresh air" to the beloved apostle,
refreshing his spirit by fellowship, consolation and kindness, and that
very frequently.  When Onesiphorus "blew in" he brought with him the
freshness of a spiritual atmosphere that enabled one to recover from
the effects of the heat!  He always seemed able to cool off the
temperature of the trial when visiting tested saints, even for the
beloved apostle Paul.

   3. THE FAITHFULNESS OF HIS MINISTRY.

   He "was not ashamed of my chain" writes Paul, for though forsaken by
saints at large and bound as a prisoner of Rome, Onesiphorus did not
desert the apostle because of this.  Faithfulness was part of his
character and Paul could testify of him to Timothy, saying, "In how 
MANY things he ministered unto me in Ephesus, thou knowest very well."

   4. THE DILIGENCE OF HIS MINISTRY.

   "When he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently and found me"
(verse 17).  The worldly maxim, "when in Rome do as the Romans do" was
not the motto of this saint of God!  He searched the great metropolis
of the Roman Empire, perhaps from one end to the other, until he found
the Beloved and aged servant of God.  What chords of appreciation arise
from the heart of the apostle, causing him by the Spirit to record this
deed upon the pages of the Word of God, which liveth and abideth
forever!

   5. THE FUTURE REWARD OF HIS MINISTRY.

   "The Lord grant him that he may find mercy of the Lord in THAT day"
writes Paul.  The day of Christ, when Onesiphorus will stand before the
Judgment Seat of Christ, will yet declare the "gold, silver and
precious stones" earned by this faithful ministry that refreshed the
saints of God, for "God is not unrighteous to forget your work and
labor of love, which ye have showed toward His Name, in that ye HAVE
ministered to the saints, and DO minister" (Hebrews 6:10).

   Would you not enjoy having Onesiphorus "blow in" for a visit, as a 
spiritual "breath of fresh air?" I am sure you would; better still, why
not try to BE A REFRESHING SAINT YOURSELF?  God has need of them
everywhere amongst His people in these difficult and testing days! 
They bring "spiritual profit."

   J.W.  Bramhall 2309 Commonwealth Ave. Charlotte, NC 28205