Paul is in a Roman Prison, possibly the Mamartine Prision. This was not a pleasant place as it was entirely underground.

"Do your best to come quickly"

Quickly would have been several months by the time the request reached Timothy; then he went to Jerusalem to collect Mark and proceeded to Rome.

So what is going on in Rome? Paul is lonely but he is also looking to keep progressing the work of the Gospel.

The team in Rome is breaking up!

Demas who has been a strong fellow worker has had enough of trouble and strife. He is out to get a piece of the easy life. Are we "fair weather" Christians or are we "come what may, till the Lord calls us home" Christians?

Crescens has gone to Galatia. There is some discussion as to whether he went to the province of Galatia in Asia Minor or to Gallia/Gaul which we know as France. There is a tradition that Crescens founded churches in two French cities.

Regardless of whether he went east or west of Rome - he is engaged in the work of the gospel.

Crescens has grown and matured and has moved out on his own. He is no longer dependent on Paul.

Do we grow and mature and look for opportunities to serve; or do we sit back as part of some-one else's program?

Titus is a specialist in the Adriatic region. He has settled the church at Corinth. He has sought to stabilize the church in Crete. Now, he is going to work with the aggressive Dalmatians on the eastern side of the Adriatic Sea.

Some people just excel in specialized ares.

Has God given you a special ministry? Are you willing to support those who are called to specialized ministry?

Luke is the ever present support worker. He is there to make sure that Paul can be as effective as possible, for as long as possible.

There are many people who work behind the scenes in the church making things happen.

They are just as important as the person at the front. The person at the front will be far more effective with faithful supporters.

How well do you support the work of the church, its ministries and its missionaries?

Mark had earlier been abandoned by Paul as less than capable. Barnabas worked with him to build him up and strengthen him. Now, Mark is seen as a person who can make a valuable contribution to the work in Rome.

Failure is not final. You may feel lost, left out, or deflated. It is amazing how God can restore, renew and rehabilitate.

The church has a great variety of people with an even greater variety of skill sets.

Prayer: Lord, help me to remain faithful to you; and help me to use my skills and personality to your glory. Amen