THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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HI!
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At the beginning of the school year, Teresa Donn was reviewing math symbols with her class. She drew the symbols ">" and "<" on the board. Then she asked, "Does anyone remember what these symbols mean?"
Perhaps the summer sun had bleached out their memories, because no one answered. There was an awesome quietness.
Finally, one young student in the back of the room said, "One means fast-forward the other means rewind!"
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2 Tim 4:9-11
9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
KJV
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I think most folk in the USA today live socially on the fast-forward button! But spiritually, some folk get hung up on the rewind button.
Demas had allowed the love of the world to crowd out his zeal for ministry (verse 10 above). 1John 2:15-16 says, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."
Demas had allowed his life to be hung up on the rewind button! Much like many people in our churches today, he had allowed his love for the world to ruin his ministry for God.
I believe there is a great caution from our Lord in these verses. It is a caution to NOT allow the things of the world take precedence in our lives.
At the same time, there is a great assurance of restoration here in the same Scripture. Paul says, "Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry" (verse 11 above).
Not too many years ago, Mark had been on a mission trip with Barnabus and Paul. But the Bible says he returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). Later, Mark wanted to go with Barnabus and Paul again, but Paul remembered he had lost his zeal before. And Paul and Barnabus were in disagreement about letting Mark accompany them. Finally, Paul took Silas and went to Syria while Barnabus took Mark and went to Cyprus (Acts 15:39-41). But now (here in 2Timothy), Paul is telling Timothy to bring Mark with him because he is would be useful in the ministry.
Perhaps you, like Demas, have allowed the world to take precedence over your ministry for Christ. Be assured that God can restore your zeal! All it takes is to determinedly place God FIRST in your life.
Begin to plan your life around God, and do not plan God around your life!
Love ya,
Bruce
mcge3582@bellsouth.net
http://www.linktojesus.org
"Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:"
Isaiah 55:6