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- Apr 25, 2006
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Don't Give Up
'Everyone ... abandoned me ... the Lord stood with me' 2 Timothy 4:16-17
If you're open and honest about your Christian faith, you will have noticed that there is often someone around to 'shoot you down'. They can spring up from nowhere, sometimes appearing knowledgeable to make your faith in Jesus look weak and insignificant, or stun you into silence unable to answer.
Occasionally they're harsh critics out to humiliate whatever the cost. Then there's always some new-fangled theory, declared as a 'new truth' that hits the headlines along with a new bit of information that apparently disproves the Bible - it's mostly only those negative towards the Christian faith that become newsworthy.
Never be downhearted; instead read 2 Timothy and be encouraged. Paul wrote this letter from a Roman prison cell - unheated, underground, probably measuring only 10 by 19 feet and 6ft high, accessible only through a hole in the ceiling.
Trapped there because he wouldn't deny his faith in Jesus, he knew the harsh reality of living the Christian way of life. It's likely Paul suffered more than we'll ever suffer for our faith, yet he endured it. Will you?
Paul writes: 'The first time I was brought before the judge, no one was with me. Everyone had abandoned me ... but the Lord stood with me and gave me the strength, that I might preach the Good News in all its fullness.'
written by Bob Gass
'Everyone ... abandoned me ... the Lord stood with me' 2 Timothy 4:16-17
If you're open and honest about your Christian faith, you will have noticed that there is often someone around to 'shoot you down'. They can spring up from nowhere, sometimes appearing knowledgeable to make your faith in Jesus look weak and insignificant, or stun you into silence unable to answer.
Occasionally they're harsh critics out to humiliate whatever the cost. Then there's always some new-fangled theory, declared as a 'new truth' that hits the headlines along with a new bit of information that apparently disproves the Bible - it's mostly only those negative towards the Christian faith that become newsworthy.
Never be downhearted; instead read 2 Timothy and be encouraged. Paul wrote this letter from a Roman prison cell - unheated, underground, probably measuring only 10 by 19 feet and 6ft high, accessible only through a hole in the ceiling.
Trapped there because he wouldn't deny his faith in Jesus, he knew the harsh reality of living the Christian way of life. It's likely Paul suffered more than we'll ever suffer for our faith, yet he endured it. Will you?
Paul writes: 'The first time I was brought before the judge, no one was with me. Everyone had abandoned me ... but the Lord stood with me and gave me the strength, that I might preach the Good News in all its fullness.'
written by Bob Gass
