Somebody Loves You

SUNDAY July 13, 2025

Opportunities in Ministry

Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you,
for he is useful to me for ministry.
2 Timothy 4:11

Paul gave a tribute to his faithful friend––only Luke is with me. It is believed that Luke was Paul’s private physician. He wrote the book of Luke and the book of Acts. By this time, Luke had an ironclad friendship with Paul. What kind of friend are you? Are you a fair-weather friend––one who is dependable in good times but not in bad? Are you a faithful friend; someone who can be trusted? Friends often fail each other, but there are always opportunities to renew relationships.

Such was the case in the life of a young man named Mark who went on his first missionary journey with Paul, but he deserted him and returned home. Mark was a nephew to Barnabas, who was also on the journey. When Paul set out to go on his second missionary journey, Barnabas wanted to take Mark, but Paul disagreed. There was a sharp disagreement which caused a parting of ways. ...So Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches (Acts 15:39-41).

Later on in life, Mark was given another opportunity in ministry. Paul had a change of heart; he knew that Mark had matured in the faith. A written request was written to Timothy––get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. You see, although Mark had failed, he was given another chance. Paul, toward the end of his life, knew that God was going to use Mark’s life and that he would be of great use for the Kingdom of God.

Have you ever failed in ministry? Take heart. As you grow and mature and remain faithful, God will open doors and give you another opportunity to serve Him. You can still be used to further God’s Kingdom.

Don’t throw your failures away. Use them to learn how to more fully trust Christ and succeed by His power and ability. God will often allow your failures to become distinct points of power and ministry in your life.
~David Jeremiah~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!