Sallie Dawkins

I'm listening to Brian Simmons read The Passion Translation Bible on Audible this morning. Some things stand out (or leap off the page) when I sit to read, but there's never a time when God doesn't allow some part of this spoken Word also to stand out. No matter how often you read the Bible, there's always something new to learn.
 

Please read this verse from Paul's letter to Timothy found in 2 Timothy 4:14-22 and let me know what stands out to you. This is from Young's Literal Translation (YLT):
Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil; may the Lord repay to him according to his works, of whom also do thou beware, for greatly hath he stood against our words; in my first defence no one stood with me, but all forsook me, (may it not be reckoned to them!) and the Lord stood by me, and did strengthen me, that through me the preaching might be fully assured, and all the nations might hear, and I was freed out of the mouth of a lion, and the Lord shall free me from every evil work, and shall save [me] -- to his heavenly kingdom; to whom [is] the glory to the ages of the ages! Amen. Salute Prisca and Aquilas, and Onesiphorus' household; Erastus did remain in Corinth, and Trophimus I left in Miletus infirm; be diligent to come before winter. Salute thee doth Eubulus, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. The Lord Jesus Christ [is] with thy spirit; the grace [is] with you! Amen.
 

The part that stood out to me was, "Trophimus I left in Miletus infirm."

Paul left a sick man behind.

In Matthew 10:8, Jesus tells us to "heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils," yet, Paul leaves Trophimus behind. 
 

The footnote in The Passion Translation says "infirm" in this instance (G770 astheneō, meaning "weak, feeble, without strength, powerless") can refer to physical or spiritual ailments.
 

Strong's Concordance says Trophimus was Paul's friend. The root of his name means "nutritious, food, or nourishment."
 

I'm so grateful that God speaks to us in many different ways. Proverbs 25:2 says, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out."
 

This morning, I woke up feeling like I haven't been spending enough time in the Word, but there's work to be done. I'm so glad God speaks to us in many different ways. I don't want to get left behind or leave anyone behind, but God has a place, space, and time for all of us.

Ecclesiastes 3:5-8 (NKJV) A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.

Luke 21:35-36 (NKJV) "For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

The footnote for "that you may be counted worthy" regards strength of mind.

I'm feeling the pull of distractions, yet God is reminding me to keep my eyes on Him and watch the confessions of my mouth. I don't want to be found without strength or power. I don't want to be a dead weight to others. I don't want to get left behind. I want all that God has prepared for me and that means I have to purposefully spend time with God to allow Him to prepare me and make me whole in body, mind, and spirit.
 

I aim to love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love others as myself. (Luke 10:27)