August 27
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2 TIMOTHY 4
9 Do your best to come to me soon. 10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. 12 Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15 Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. 16 At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! – 2 Timothy 4:9-16
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2 TIMOTHY 4 WHEN EVERYONE HAS ABANDONED YOU
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
As a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, be prepared to be forgotten
Let us remember that Christ himself was deserted even by his disciples
Because we live in this world that is corrupted by selfishness
It can become so lonely when you follow the road to selflessness.
There will be times when people won’t understand your devotion
Many people will be absorbed with their own struggles in their situations
To prioritize Christ in your life will mean that you will also be mistreated
The Lord himself went through emotional, physical and spiritual maltreatment.
As a faithful believer, we must be able to give up all worldly pleasures and desires
Making God first in your life will present many trials and all kinds of strife
The enemy will not make it easy for you to live a holy and peaceful life
He will always ensure that your faith will be hampered and compromised.
Do not be discouraged when everyone else has abandoned you
You are assured that the Lord will never leave or forsake you
When you experience abandonment from those whom you love
Be assured that God will never leave you and will always be there for you.
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REFLECTION
• What should a Christian’s attitude be when he/she has been forsaken by loved ones? Why should we not be discouraged when we are lonely?