Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

October 30
Friday


BE A STANDER

READ:
2 Timothy 4:9-18
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A friend loves at all
times, and a brother
is born for adversity.
__Proverbs 17:17
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Western novelist stephen Bly says that in the days of America's Old West there were two types of friends (and horses) :runners and standers. At the first sign of trouble, the runner would bolt--abandoning you to whatever peril you were facing. But a stander would stick with you no matter the circumstances. Unfortunately, you wouldn't know which kind of friend you had until trouble came. and then it was too late__unless your friend was a stander.

Rather than being concerned with what kind of friends we have, however, we ought to consider what kind of friends, we are. In the final days of Paul's ministry, as he awaited death, some who had ministered with him turned into runners and abandoned him to face execution alone. In his last letter, he listed some (like Demas) who had run off, then simply stated, "Only Luke is with me" (2 Tim. 4:11). Luke was a stander. While undoubtedly disappointed by those who had deserted him, Paul must have been deeply comforted to know he was not alone.

Proverbs tells us that "a friend loves at all times" (17:17). During times of adversity, we need friends we can rely on. When the people we know face trouble, what kind of friend will we be--a runner or a stander?
__Bill Crowder
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`````````Dear Lord, help us to be the kind of friend who doesn't```````
````````run when our friends are in need. Give us the courage````````
```````````to stand by them, the wisdom to know what to say,````````
````````````````and the ability to serve them, Amen.```````````````
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A true friend stands with us in times of trial.

************Today's Bible Reading __ 2 Timothy 4:9-15************

9 Be diligent to come to
me quickly; 10 for Demas
has forsaken me, having
loved this present world,
and has departed for
Thessalonica--Crescens for
galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.

11 Only Luke is with me.
Get Mark and bring him
with you, for he is useful to
me for ministry. 12 And
Tychicus I have sent to
Ephesus. 13 Bring the cloak
that I left with Carpus at
Troas when you come--and
the books, especially the
parchments.

14 Alexander the
coppersmith did me much
harm. May the Lord repay
him according to his works.

15 You also must beware of
him, for he has greatly
resisted our words.

16 At my first defense no
one stood with me, but all
forsook me. May it not be
charged against them.

17 But the Lord stood with
me and strengthened me, so
that the message might be
preached fully through me,
and that all the Gentiles
might hear. Also I was
delivered out of the mouth
of the lion. 18 And the Lord
will deliver me from every
evil work and preserve me
for His heavenly kingdom.
To Him be glory forever
and ever. Amen!

Paul had many traveling companions and co-laborers; many
probably had been young missionary "interns" of Paul.
Warren Wiersbe wrote, "I believe that there are at least 100
different men and women named in Acts and Paul's letters, as a part
of his cirlce of friends and fellow laborers. Paul could not do the job
by himself" (The Bible Exposition Commentary). __SIM KAY TEE

[momof3]

God bless you, sis. this one really touched me today. thank you for the reminder and thank you sis, for your faithfulness to the Lord. You are an inspiration.

Love you, sis.
in Jesus,
momo

[Lani]

A true friend stands with us in times of trial.

*Amen2*

I am forever thankful for each and every friend I have.

I pray also, that a few of them feel the same way.

Friends are blessing, treasures from Heaven to have company along this ever changing path back Home.

Thanks for posting Cimi!!

Peace and Luv in Christ,
Lani