Bible League: Living His Word But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me.When the Apostle Paul was in the city of Ephesus Alexander the coppersmith had caused him a lot of trouble. Paul had been trying to preach the gospel to the Ephesians and Alexander had strongly opposed his message. When Paul made his defense against Alexander's objections no one stood with him. He had to defend the gospel on his own. After Paul left Ephesus Timothy came there. Understandably, Paul felt the need to warn Timothy about Alexander. Everyone who is a disciple of Jesus Christ has a role to play in the spread of the gospel. The role may not be that of evangelist or preacher like Paul and Timothy, but it will be a role that in some way helps to advance the spread of the gospel. Further, every disciple will also be given gifts of the Holy Spirit that will enable them to fulfill whatever role or roles they have. Given all this, no one should be surprised if they need to be warned from time to time just like Timothy. No one should be surprised because every church member will, sooner or later, run into the Alexander the coppersmiths of the world. Given that every disciple has a role to play and the spiritual gifts necessary for the role, they can expect opposition from the enemy. Jesus Himself warned us about this. He said, "'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:20). Getting warnings like the warning Paul gave Timothy, then, is an understandable part of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. As was the case for Paul, you may find yourself alone when Alexander comes to give you trouble. After all, spiritual opposition is difficult and many may want to avoid it at all costs. However, although you may have to stand alone, you are never really alone. The LORD is always standing with you. Jesus said, '"I am with you always, even to the end of the age'" (Matthew 28:20). The LORD will stand with you, like He did with Paul, and strengthen you in order to help you fulfill the role you have been called to do – despite the opposition. You may feel lonely today, but you are not really alone. Take a look to your side – you will see the LORD standing there ready to help. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingProverbs 19, 20 Proverbs 19 -- Better is the poor who walks in his integrity NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Proverbs 20 -- Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 2 Corinthians 3 2 Corinthians 3 -- Ministers and Glory of the New Covenant NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.Insight Paul was not ashamed because his message was the gospel of Christ, the Good News. It was a message of salvation, it had life-changing power, and it was for everyone. Challenge When you are tempted to be ashamed, remember what the Good News is all about. If you focus on God and on what God is doing in the world rather than on your own inadequacy, you won't be ashamed or embarrassed. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Psalm 5:8 Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies.Very bitter is the enmity of the world against the people of Christ. Men will forgive a thousand faults in others, but they will magnify the most trivial offence in the followers of Jesus. Instead of vainly regretting this, let us turn it to account, and since so many are watching for our halting, let this be a special motive for walking very carefully before God. If we live carelessly, the lynx-eyed world will soon see it, and with its hundred tongues, it will spread the story, exaggerated and emblazoned by the zeal of slander. They will shout triumphantly. "Aha! So would we have it! See how these Christians act! They are hypocrites to a man." Thus will much damage be done to the cause of Christ, and much insult offered to his name. The cross of Christ is in itself an offence to the world; let us take heed that we add no offence of our own. It is "to the Jews a stumblingblock": let us mind that we put no stumblingblocks where there are enough already. "To the Greeks it is foolishness": let us not add our folly to give point to the scorn with which the worldly-wise deride the gospel. How jealous should we be of ourselves! How rigid with our consciences! In the presence of adversaries who will misrepresent our best deeds, and impugn our motives where they cannot censure our actions, how circumspect should we be! Pilgrims travel as suspected persons through Vanity Fair. Not only are we under surveillance, but there are more spies than we know of. The espionage is everywhere, at home and abroad. If we fall into the enemies' hands we may sooner expect generosity from a wolf, or mercy from a fiend, than anything like patience with our infirmities from men who spice their infidelity towards God with scandals against his people. O Lord, lead us ever, lest our enemies trip us up! Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 104:23 Man goes forth to his work And to his labor until evening.Genesis 3:19 By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return." 2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going. John 9:4 "We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. Galatians 6:9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. Hebrews 4:9 So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. Matthew 20:12 saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.' Isaiah 28:12 He who said to them, "Here is rest, give rest to the weary," And, "Here is repose," but they would not listen. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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