Title: Real Life Happens/Topic: Perspective

Today’s Reading: Amos 1; Amos 2; Amos 3; Psalm 80; 2 Timothy 4

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:9-18
9 Do your best to come to me quickly, 10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
14 Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 15 You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.
16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen

Observation: Paul is speaking about common problems and his responses to them in these verses. All these same things will happen to us as we serve the Lord. Here is the litany of what he is dealing with and his perspective on them:
1) Someone he loves and has ministered with closely deserts Paul, and his faith, to go live a worldly life. Paul's response is to focus on those still with him that are serving the Lord. He doesn't wallow in grief. 2) He speaks of someone outside the church who did him great harm and opposed the work of the gospel that Paul was doing. Paul's response: He warns others to be aware of him but leaves judgment to God. He doesn't take revenge or spend time trying to “get even”. 3) He experiences going through a great trial alone. Paul's response is to immediately forgive and not hold a grudge against them and then to praise God for always being there for him and being his rescuer.

Application: Paul's perspectives and responses to these situations should be our guide when we face similar situations.

Prayer: Father, sometimes I spend far too much time grieving over injustices that happen in my life. I need to keep remembering that I have you on my side always and that is enough to cause me to praise you through everything. Help me to remember that and to keep that perspective on things. There is too much positive work to be done to waste a moment in grieving over things I cannot change. Keep me growing in and focused on you and I leave all my other problems (and other people's) in your capable hands. I choose to rejoice in you through everything.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.