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b'\\u201cState your name and business,\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d the guard at the gate of the prison ordered. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153And be quick about it!\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d\\nOnesiphorus swallowed hard. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153My name is Onesiphorus, and I am seeking Paul of Tarsus. Can you tell me where he is?\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d \\nThe soldier narrowed his eyes. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Are you an accomplice of this Paul? He is our prisoner and a notorious enemy of Rome.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Onesiphorus did not back down. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153He is my friend. I must find him! If you can, please take me to him.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d\\n\\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Very well, I\\u2019ll let you see him. But watch your step, or you might find yourself sharinghis cell.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d The soldier turned on his heel and led Onesiphorus down the prison corridors. \\n\\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Paul!\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Onesiphorus cried when he saw the haggard face of the missionary. \\n\\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Onesiphorus?\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Paul looked up and could hardly believe his eyes. Then a new lightlit up his face. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Onesiphorus!\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d He reached toward his smiling friend. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Glad you came, brother.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d\\n\\u2022 \\u2022 \\u2022\\nWe don\\u2019t know much about Onesiphorus. He is only mentioned briefly in one of Paul\\u2019s letters to Timothy, yet his story is inspiring and exemplifies the way God calls us to love and show mercy. As Paul describes what Onesiphorus did for him, you can almost hear the tenderness in his voice. When Paul was imprisoned in Rome, Onesiphorus searched everywhere for him, then visited and encouraged him often, even though this was a dangerous thing to do.\\nLike Onesiphorus, we are called to love sacrificially. God calls us to love and serve others even when it means giving up something important, like safety, reputation, or comfort. As Christians, we love this way because Jesus loved us first (1 John 4:19), and He commands us to love one another as He has loved us. Jesus showed the greatest love by laying down His life for us. As His followers, we\\u2019re called to have a love that sacrifices. No matter the cost. \\u2022 Angela Faith\\n\\u2022 What does it mean to lay down your life for someone (as mentioned in today\\u2019s Scripture passages)? How did Jesus lay down His life for us? (Check out our \\u201cKnow Jesus\\u201d page.) \\nWe know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 1 John 3:16 (NLT)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nEph.6.10-Eph.6.20'