Today's Passage - Col 4:10-11

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Colossians 4:10-11   My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)   Who is Mark?  He is the coworker whom Paul and Barnabas brought with on their first mission trip.  The young Mark did not adjust well to the journey for evangelism, so he left the missions team half-way during the trip.  Because of his departure, Paul was unable to accept him again.  On the second mission trip, Paul insisted that Barnabas should not bring Mark along; because of this he broke up with Barnabas, but he later regretted.  In 2 Timothy 4:11, Paul said that "...get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry."  He was willing to accept Mark again and he also said that he's collaborating with Mark for the Kingdom of God.  We can learn a few lessons from this story:   First, learn to give others a second chance.  Our God is willing to give a second chance.  Among Moses, Jonah, David and Peter, every one of them fell but stood up again by God's grace.  In our life, God has given many second, or even third and fourth, chance.  May God give us a tolerant heart, become someone like Barnabas who can comfort others, and learn to give others a second chance.   Second, learn to stand up from failure.  If you study the Bible carefully, you will find that all spiritual giants have experienced failure.  We all can fail, but the important thing is not to let failure defeat you, or allow the enemy to use failure to deceive you, thinking that God doesn't love you anymore or is no longer with you.  Failure is actually always the process for God to shape us; it is never God's intention for us to fail, but through failure He wants us to experience more abundant grace.  Although Mark bailed out of the team and was rejected by Paul, he was not defeated by the failure, and ultimately he was a vehicle in God's hand and he was also the author of Gospel of Mark.  This is a remarkable testimony!   Are you in the state of failure?  Don't just pity yourself or blame on God and others.  Accept the reality of the failure, but trust in God's presence.  Rise up and trust that God can save you!            Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord Jesus, I once again bring all the brothers and sisters before you.  You are everyone's great shepherd, and the paths of their lives are all in your hands.  May you open their eyes so that they can see the work that you are performing on them, so that they may be restful in your working hands.  May you guide them with your skillful hands.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!