2 Timothy 1:15-2:13
15 You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, 17 but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— 18 may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.
2 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.
5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal.
But the word of God is not bound!
10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 The saying is trustworthy, for:
If we have died with him,
we will also live with him;
12 if we endure,
we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself.
This week at 1 A.M. I went to get shoes from the Den. Our 4th dog in our 33 years of marriage, was startled and attacked me. Trying to shred my forearm 3 times and got my torso. It was so brutal, Edward had to come to pry him off of me as I was standing. This is the 3rd dog of this breed - who was brutally attacked by a foster dog we had.
Some friends of ours, who have family in Christian Family in Asia, also had to put down their 8-year dog of the same breed for the same Rage, Rage, Rage problem having to do with sleep.
After a day at the ER I can say - there are many prayer opportunities at the ER. Amen. I'm terrible at being able to say I pray for what I see and hear, but I do. With great hope in the prayer. God never wrote down we are the hands and feet of Jesus, but He did say come to me with your burdens and He will never leave nor forsake us and looks very forward to hearing from us asking our "Good Father" for "His Willingness." Pray with encouraged Hope. Real Prayer is the work God gives mankind daily in believing. God is God and His Storehouses are never empty.
We take it and toss it with us, like a spare part - "God will never Leave nor forsake us." Lazarus was not forsaken. Peter was immediately helped out of his faithlessness. Jesus is always here for us. We just aren't God Himself to be told of the Plan.
I was ever, ever, ever so thankful for the Post Title of yesterday all the long day, "you will not fear the terror." Not feel the terror of the shredded arm due to God's Shock. Not feel the terror of Edward traveling the house to pry the dog off. Not feel the terror to do the dog to the authorities. Not feel the terror of the poor dog gone for knowing Jesus is God and helps all. Cried not feeling the terror for knowing God is going to provide Good News. Not feeling the terror of pain. Not feeling the terror of medical care. Thank God for our nation and her people.
Not feel the terror because our God is at Work with Jesus and the Word of God is Living and Active. Not feeling the terror of the terrifying ER. We can fling open His Word in advance and find a Scripture to think upon. Like this one. God is in Charge and all prayer is lovely to Him. Leaving the ER knowing God helps His People. Jobs. Critical Illnesses. People who share candy bars with strangers at the ER. Share encouragement. Jesus Blesses us. Knowing the ER is not like other nations always at war. Grateful. Grateful to my family for their help. Grateful. God has Given. Thank Jesus.
Sad? You know this is true. And Grateful to know with Jesus circumstance goes forth with Him. God answers Prayer. Even the silent kind.
Amazing God to say He is faithful because He does not deny Himself. Amazing. Amazing. Amazing. When Jesus lives in us, puts His Name on us, God sees Himself in us. We are literally covered before, behind, above, beside, within and about with Jesus Christ.
Psalm 139.
Abba,
We are Blessed to be Yours. In Jesus Christ.
When we have been at the ER and in pain, when the words don't roll out beautifully with Prayer - we know You do the Heavy Lifting. More Heaven on earth for us all. Even the wee beasts in the Hands of Jesus, even in dire circumstances. John tells us You are in all of Creation. Thank God for Jesus.
Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †