Month: May 2013

At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the proclamation might be fully made through me and all the Gentiles might hear. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 2 Timothy 4:16-17 HCSB

The associational youth camp had ended and it seemed everyone had left for home except me. It was my responsibility to put away the tables and chairs in the worship center to prepare for the next group. I felt as though I had been deserted. What a blessing it would have been if others had lingered to ask what they could do to help clean up and put things back in order.

Paul felt as though he had been deserted. When he went to trial there was no one there to support him and come to his defense. Even though Paul’s support was gone, God was with him and stood by him. Paul received strength from the Lord to face the difficult situation. With God’s strength Paul was able to boldly proclaim the message of Jesus Christ. The lion’s mouth was a metaphor that Paul used to denote death.

Challenge: Be assured that God is always with you and is willing to help as you strive to live for Him. God will stand with you when no one else will. Thank Him for his faithfulness to always be your strength and refuge. Read Psalm 46:1.

Make every effort to come to me soon, for Demas has deserted me, because he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 2 Timothy 4:9-10 HCSB

Our culture tells us that if we are going to be successful we must have more money and power. I can remember as newlyweds my wife and I longed to have a nice home like others we knew. God was very good to us and provided a small parsonage at the first church we served in Orlando, Florida. The home had been freshly painted and new carpet installed but we still dreamed of the day we would have a larger home. Now that we are older and God has provided a very nice home, it does not seem as important as it once did. Our values are different. Our son, Jonathan, has made two mission trips to Africa. One time he spent nine weeks living in a thatched hut with a dirt floor. The other time he shared a room with another missionary and they had to gather rain water or go a long distance to get water. This has helped us keep in perspective how richly blessed we are as Americans. We all take so much for granted.

Demas had been a disciple and follower of Paul. He had been a companion and helper but evidently when Paul was arrested, he decided to leave him and return to Thessalonica. He loved the things of the world more than he did the things of God. Demas sought worldly pleasures and wanted more wealth, power, and material goods – even if gaining them meant hurting other people and neglecting the work God had given him to do.

Challenge: Do you love the things of the world more than the things of God? There is nothing wrong with desiring to have a nice home or enjoying some of life’s pleasures but the question is, “Have the things of the world become your main focus?” Are you willing to sacrifice the work of God to gain the things of the world? Where are your priorities?

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. There is reserved for me in the future the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 HCSB

My wife and I were recently eating at a Burger King where bright yellow crowns decorated the windows in the restaurant. There was a small boy in one of the booths near us that asked his mother if he could have a crown. She retrieved one of the cardboard crowns and placed it gently on his head. He smiled from ear to ear. The little boy felt like a king and was proud to have a crown, even if it was only made of cardboard.

We typically think of a crown as being made of ornate gold and precious stones, much like the crown jewels that are securely guarded in London and only worn on special occasions by the queen or king of England. The crown represents power and authority. In the athletic realm the crown was usually made out of flowers, leaves, twigs, or even grass. The winner of an event would receive a crown in recognition of his achievement. The crowns of this earth will disappear and will have no value, but the crown of righteousness will never fade away. Just as an athlete who has victory receives a crown, believers have victory in Jesus and will receive the crown of righteousness someday.

Challenge: Thank God that as a believer you have won the race and will someday receive the crown of righteousness. Praise God that you have victory in Jesus. Listen to the old hymn, “Victory in Jesus” on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K7JiUEl23E