Partners In The Lord’s Work

-February 17, 2022-

Good morning, happy Thursday,

“But Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.”

(Acts 15:40).

Paul had three main partners in the work of the Lord: Barnabas, Silas, and Timothy. There were several others Paul served with, but these three were the main ones. Jesus sent out His disciples by twos. Partners can encourage and challenge one another. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 tells us, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.”

Paul trusted Silas and worked very well with him, just as he did with Timothy, and earlier with Barnabas. Paul and Silas were arrested in Philippi for preaching the gospel. They were beaten, yet while in the jail, they were praying and singing hymns to God. The other prisoners heard them. God caused an earthquake and all the doors of the prison were opened. None of the prisoners escaped, but praise be to God the Philippian jailer and his whole family got saved. Most of the time Paul was in prison by himself, but in this case his partner was with him.

Partners encourage, comfort, and challenge one another. They hold each other accountable, pray with and for each other, and help each other. We can do more together than we can alone. Partners can see things in us that we can’t see ourselves. Oftentimes one of the partners is younger in years or in the Lord. The older, wiser one mentors the younger one. This was true especially with Paul and Timothy, Moses and Joshua, and Elijah and Elisha. In the Scriptures we see this with Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha.

Do you have a spiritual partner in the Lord’s work? Do you mentor a younger believer? Are you being mentored by an older believer? Strong relationships make for strong churches and fruitful ministries. Paul appreciated all those he served with and honored them by mentioning them when he wrote his epistles to the churches. We need each other so much nowadays, especially as this pandemic continues on. Let encourage others and serve the Lord together. God doesn’t want us to be lone wolves, but work together in harmony and love.

Have a blessed day serving the Lord with our partners. Stay safe and healthy.

In His eternal service,

Dean