Welcome and thank you for taking a bible break to test your knowledge of God's word.This week's question:

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, says of himself "..one untimely born, He appeared to me also. For I am least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God."  (1 Corinthians 15:8-9). Paul spoke before kings as the Lord prophesied that he would, as he made his defense before king Agrippa by saying, "Why is it considered incredible among you people if God does raise the dead? So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them. (Acts 26:8-10). When Paul turned to the Lord he was a great asset to the work of the church, to the dismay of the unbelieving Jews, and even to those of the church, until they were convinced of his sincerity (Acts 9:19-30).

That brings us to our question, "Who didn't Paul want to take on his second journey?". Paul encountered many dangers on his first missionary journey and he was even stoned at Lystra and taken outside the city because they thought he was dead (Acts 14:19). The travels were difficult and so much so, that one which had journeyed with them, deserted them along the way. When it seemed to be a good time to revisit the church's, Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are." And Barnabas was desirous of taking John, called Mark, along with them also. But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas to Mark with him and sailed to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas and departed, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord." (Acts 15:36-40).

So there we have the answer to our question, as it was "John Mark" who Paul did not want to take on their second missionary journey!. Although they may have disagreed about John Mark at the time, let us see how Paul felt about him in probably the most difficult time he faced with his final hour, so to speak as Paul is in Rome in prison and says to Timothy, "Make every effort to come to me soon; for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service." (2 Timothy 4:9-11).

So we can see that John Mark has become a help to Paul and he is requesting him specifically as he says of others, "At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, in order that the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear and I was delivered out of the Lion's mouth." (2 Timothy 4:16-17). Not only did Paul find strength in the Lord when everyone had deserted him at his trial, but he requested John Mark during a difficult time and he felt confident that he would stay with him when others had fled!

Yes, times may get difficult on the pathway in service to the Lord, and we may make poor choices at times. But as we can see from John Mark, we can improve ourselves and be more courageous the next time as we have learned from our mistakes to please Him and share the suffering of our Lord. Let us be as courageous as John Mark in serving the Lord for life!