Week 48 Day 5
Life is so awful sometimes
when we see it in others we don't know what to say
when it happens to us we don't know
what to do
who to blame
how to survive our loses
What does a spiritual giant like the apostle Paul do
as he nears the end of his life
and faces so many losses
his freedom - restricted
his friends and fellow workers - gone
his life's work - tarnished
his churches- questionable
his leadership and authority - undercut
winter was coming and he was getting cold
He had said "I am bound in chains, but God's Word is not"
That is instructive
Life is not totally awful
there is always something
to be grateful for
if we would only look for it
I believe Paul did want to remain positive
and he looked for things
anything
that he could praise God for
It's amazing
when we start looking
how much we can see.
PASSING THE TORCH
Preach the Scriptures, correct those who err, endure hardships.
II Timothy 3 & 4
10You have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, my
purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11persecutions,
and afflictions. Out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12Yes,
and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer
persecution. 13Evil men and impostors will grow worse and
worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14But you must continue
in the things which you have learned and been assured of,
knowing from whom you have learned them, 15and that from
childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able
to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
16All Scripture is inspired of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete,
thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.
Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
3For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; and because they have itching ears, they will heap
up for themselves teachers 4who will turn their ears away
from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5But you be
watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of
an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
6 I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and
the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good
fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Finally,
there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and
not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
9Come to me quickly; 10for Demas has forsaken me,
having loved this present world. Only Luke is with me. Bring
Mark with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. 13Bring the
cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come--and the
books, especially the parchments.
16At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook
me. May it not be charged against them. 17But the Lord stood
with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be
preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear.
19Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
21Do your utmost to come before winter.
22The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
This Bible passage was condensed from the NKJV
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