Today's Reading: Amos 1-3, Psalm 80, 2 Timothy 4

Paul's Farewell Letter to Timothy
"Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and [that] all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion."
2 Timothy 4:17

In spite of every thing that had happened to Paul since that monentous day when Jesus met him on the Road to Ammaeus and in spite of every one who had disappointed and hurt Paul, he had learned one thing, THE LORD STOOD WITH ME and STRENGTHENED ME. Recently we traveled through Rome and stood outside of the building where Paul spent his last days. Within a short distance I am sure he could hear the swelling crowds of onlookers at the colliseum rallying cries to send out yet another Christian. The hungered beasts panted anxiously to be released. The onlookers yearned for the violent and other tortuous events the Romans had devised to quench the thirst for evil entertainment at the martyr's expense. Paul was delivered out of the mouths of lions, from the angry mobs, from angry dictators and community leaders and from zealous Jews, as he himself had once been. In all of this he says, 'notwithstanding' or 'in spite of' all of these things, he writes that the Lord stood with him and strengthened Paul. "And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him." Psalm 37:40 "And I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall; And they will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you; For I [am] with you to save you And deliver you," says the LORD." Jeremiah 15:20 "But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak." Matthew 19:20 "Fear not, for I [am] with you; Be not dismayed, for I [am] your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10 Be encouraged because God is on our side and we is our strength and Deliverer. Whatever you are facing today, God is standing with you.

Blessings,

Carol

Next Reading: Amos 4-6, Psalms 86, Titus 1