Be not thou therefore ashamed

2 Timothy 1:8 kjv. "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God." The Apostle Paul calls himself a prisoner for the Lord Jesus Christ four times. Yes he was in prison, but he saw himself as a prisoner for the Lord and not of man.  The Apostle Paul was a man of the Spirit who knew the Holy Spirit intimately. He was a man who would allow the Lord to move through him, no matter the situation, whether it be for life or death. He was a man that trusted totally in the Lord, without a thought of complaining. Paul was a man desperate to see the Gospel preached and manifested among the heathen nations. He was a prisoner for Jesus Christ, and not ashamed of the testimony of our Lord. The more Paul was afflicted by the world, the deeper Christ would become to him. It was only by the strength of the Lord, that he was able to stand against all odds and overcome all persecution. "Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called".  We are not prisoners of this world, but for the Lord Jesus. It's our calling to spread and reach out to the harvest with the Gospel, the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ. Give God Thanks today. Praise Him.