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 2 Corinthians 6:17 Be ye separate.The Christian, while in the world, is not to be of the world. He should be distinguished from it in the great object of his life. To him, "to live," should be "Christ." Whether he eats, or drinks, or whatever he does, he should do all to God's glory. You may lay up treasure; but lay it up in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, where thieves break not through nor steal. You may strive to be rich; but be it your ambition to be "rich in faith," and good works. You may have pleasure; but when you are merry, sing psalms and make melody in your hearts to the Lord. In your spirit, as well as in your aim, you should differ from the world. Waiting humbly before God, always conscious of his presence, delighting in communion with him, and seeking to know his will, you will prove that you are of heavenly race. And you should be separate from the world in your actions. If a thing be right, though you lose by it, it must be done; if it be wrong, though you would gain by it, you must scorn the sin for your Master's sake. You must have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Walk worthy of your high calling and dignity. Remember, O Christian, that thou art a son of the King of kings. Therefore, keep thyself unspotted from the world. Soil not the fingers which are soon to sweep celestial strings; let not these eyes become the windows of lust which are soon to see the King in his beauty--let not those feet be defiled in miry places, which are soon to walk the golden streets--let not those hearts be filled with pride and bitterness which are ere long to be filled with heaven, and to overflow with ecstatic joy. Then rise my soul! and soar away, Above the thoughtless crowd; Above the pleasures of the gay, And splendours of the proud; Up where eternal beauties bloom, And pleasures all divine; Where wealth, that never can consume, And endless glories shine. Daily Light on the Daily Path Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.Exodus 23:2 "You shall not follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after a multitude in order to pervert justice; James 4:4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? • Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? • Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 1 John 2:15,17 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. • The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. Ephesians 2:2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Ephesians 4:20,21 But you did not learn Christ in this way, • if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 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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