God is my helper. The Lord keeps me ALIVE!
Ps. 54:4
Ps. 54:4
A couple weeks ago we
addressed the topic of spiritual immaturity in a RR message titled “Don’t be a
Dem as” (NO political intent whatsoever). To review briefly,
in
his letter to the Colossians, Paul praises Demas for his faithfulness in Col.
4:14; yet flipping forward 6-7 years, in Paul’s second letter to Timothy (2
Tim. 4:10), Paul tells us that Demas had deserted him for “the loves of the
world”.
What
happened to Demas?
Whatever
the particulars, it appears that Demas behaved
in a shortsighted-world-embracing manner. Evidently, he refused to apply himself to the consistent use of scriptural truths
(Heb. 5:14) and instead chose to adhere to more elementary teachings. In turn,
this choice caused him to remain spiritually immature, and consequently, fall for
the “loves of the world”. (Heb. 5:6
“parapipto” means to fall away, slip away, wander; deviate from the true faith,
the worship of Jehovah)
Although he knew better, Demas allowed the worries of
this life, the deceitfulness of riches and desires for other things choke the
Word (Mk. 4:19). ~What is this called? Change the “e” to a “u” in Dem as and you’ll have a spiritual lesson.
Our
God is FAITHFUL, may we not grow weary!
“He
is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just.
A
faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.” Deut. 32:4
Just this week our faithful Lord chose to answer two unrelated
prayers, a 21-year-old prayer and a 29-year-old prayer, both answered within
24 hours of one another! Just like with Daniel in Dan. 10:12, God seems to be
saying, “Since the first day that you Cleary’s set your minds to gain
understanding and to humble yourselves before our God, your words were heard.”
“Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies!
For I have always been mindful of Your unfailing love
And have lived in reliance on Your faithfulness.” (Ps. 36:5; Ps. 26:3)
Oh that we each remain faithful to Him in the troubled days
that lie ahead.
Vibrantly alive in Him this week,
Much love, ~Shaun and Betsy
