2 Timothy 1:15 -16 ...you know that all that are in Asia be turned away from me... The Lord have mercy on the house of Onesiphorus who often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chains. Several times Paul mentions his bonds or chains. He asked that Gods people remember his chains. He thanked them for having compassion on him while in his chains. And here, after sharing with his son, and friend Timothy about those that had left him. He gratefully tells him of Onesiphorus and how he ministered to him often. And specifically how that he was not ashamed of Pauls chains. One of the hardest things to experience, and endure is to be going through an extremely lonely, difficult time and then to begin to lose people that you love. People that you have invested into, prayed for, laughed with, and considered friends. And what may be more painful is to find that certain people disappear when they have nothing more to gain from you. And the moment that your reputation takes a hit, or you come under attack, they distance themselves, and are ashamed to be associated with you and your chains. What the chains do, is apply fire to your relationships and prove the purity and quality of the people in your life. Do not waste another moment dwelling on who walked away or went into hiding, but rather celebrate those who stood with you, refreshed you, prayed for, and encouraged you. And were not ashamed of you in your chains. Above all, be thankful for your friend Jesus. His presence never, ever left you. He ministered to you when it seemed you would die in your chains. And he is not ashamed to call you his own. He never leaves. Never forsakes. And he never, ever fails!
Posted on: Wed, 03 Sep 2014 16:11:54 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015