From: June 27, 2024
“Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment” (Proverbs 18:1 ESV).
God has made us with a need for fellowship. Indeed one of God’s earliest observations of humanity was what he said to Adam, “It is not good that the man should be alone” (Gen. 2:18). Yet, the temptation of sin is to isolate from others, so that we might do what we desire. And so, after Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit the first thing they did was hide from God and blame others for their actions. For isolation leads to separation.
The proverb warns of the temptation to isolate from fellowship. For the one who isolates goes against sound judgment and godly wisdom. Not only that, but they open themselves up to further temptation to plunge even deeper into sinful thoughts and behaviors. For in isolation we will think and do things that we would never do in the presence of others.
The instruction to believers found in Hebrews is consistent with the warning in Proverbs: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Heb. 10:24-25).
The Bible warns that the “devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). And anyone who has watched a nature show has seen how the African lion watches for an antelope to stray from the herd, so they are vulnerable to attack.
Isolation goes against sound judgment. We need fellowship with God and with one another.
PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us when we pull away and isolate. Strengthen us to stay in fellowship with You and with one another. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: June 27, 2023
‘One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.”’ (Acts 18:9-10 NLT).
Paul preached Jesus Christ to the members of the Corinthian synagogue, but they opposed him. Yet he didn’t let fear of opposition stop his preaching of the gospel. Instead, he shifted his ministry focus to the Gentiles in the city. Even so, the opposition among the Corinthian Jews increased. In the midst of this, the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision, telling him not to fear, nor to be silent, but to continue to preach. For the Lord was with him, protecting him and calling many to follow. So Paul ministered in Corinth for over a year and a half and saw great fruit there.
Fear of opposition still tempts God’s people to keep silent. When asked why people don’t share the gospel, fear of rejection is one of the top reasons given. But this fear does not come from God. It is the fear of man. And the Lord says, “Don’t be silent for I am with you!”
PRAYER: Dear Father, we will not keep silent for You are always with us. Give us a holy boldness to always speak the good news of Your Son, Jesus Christ. For we are convinced that He is the only help for our sin-sick world. Strengthen our hands and hearts for the work. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: June 27, 2022
PAUL’S TENTMAKER MINISTRY
When Paul met the Jewish tent-making couple, Aquila and Priscilla, in the city of Corinth, he found true partners in ministry and work. Paul often had to find work in order to support his ministry. He was a bivocational church-planter and he needed work that provided a sufficient income with flexible hours. By joining with Aquila and Priscilla he found both. In Corinth he was given the flexibility to work and preach in one of Rome’s largest and richest cities. The couple even offered him accommodations in their home.
When we think of Paul’s more famous gospel partners like Barnabas, Silas and Timothy, let us not forget his strategic partnership with Aquila and Priscilla. Christian business owners are often God’s provision for supporting and advancing the gospel. And they often become missionaries themselves, just as Aquila and Pricilla did as they followed Paul back to Ephesus and helped in the ministry there.
Paul actively shared the gospel of Jesus with people in the places where they lived, worshiped, and worked. His tent-making gave him a platform to go wherever the Lord sent him.
Are you willing to be a tentmaker for Jesus?
PRAYER: Dear Father, help us obey the command of Your Son to go and proclaim the gospel to everyone. Show us how to give ourselves totally to You, so that our education, our vocation, our resources, our personality, our entire selves are fully devoted to You and to sharing the gospel of Jesus. Use us where we live, work, and play. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: June 27, 2016
When Paul met the Jewish tent-making couple, Aquila and Priscilla, in the city of Corinth, he found true partners in ministry and work. Paul was a bivocational church-planter and he needed work that provided a sufficient income with flexible hours. By joining with Aquila and Priscilla he found both. In Corinth he was given the flexibility to work and preach in one of Rome’s largest and richest cities. The couple even offered him accommodations in their home. When we think of Paul’s more famous gospel partners like Barnabas, Silas and Timothy, let us not forget his strategic partnership with Aquila and Priscilla. Christian business owners are often God’s provision for supporting and advancing the gospel. And they often become missionaries themselves, just as Aquila and Pricilla did as they followed Paul back to Ephesus and helped in the ministry there. Are you a tentmaker?
From: June 27, 2014
When Paul met the Jewish tent-making couple, Aquila and Priscilla, in the city of Corinth, he found true partners in ministry and work. Paul was a bivocational church-planter and he needed work that provided a sufficient income with flexible hours. By joining with Aquila and Priscilla he found both. In Corinth he was given the flexibility to both work and preach in one of Rome’s largest and richest cities. The couple even offered him accommodations in their home. When we think of Paul’s more famous gospel partners like Barnabas, Silas and Timothy, let us not forget his strategic partnership with Aquila and Priscilla. Christian business owners are often God’s provision for supporting and advancing the gospel.
From: June 27, 2012
Our children learn worship from us. Teach them to worship in spirit and truth. Tell them what Christ has done and how He has saved and sanctified us! Tell of His mighty acts!
From: June 27, 2011
Paul often had to work as a tentmaker to support himself, but when godly men came to help, he was able to devote himself to the ministry of the Word. The calling to support such men as Paul is as important as the calling to preach. Both are needed.
