For Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica…”
–2 Timothy 4:10 (NASB)

The above Scripture is a sad commentary of a man’s life.  This is what A.W. Tozer refers to as the “worst calamity” that can be said of man; that is, when the human spirit is surrendered to the present world.  Demas must have been a regular companion of Paul.  He is mentioned as a co-worker in Colossians and Philemon, but if this is the same person, he now has deserted Paul.
Here is a man acquainted with the Gospel.  Here is a man who worked alongside the Apostle Paul, and yet now he has gone back to the ways of the world because he loved its ways.  Not only that he has deserted Paul in his time of need, Paul is nearing the end of his life; this is a time when he needs his stalwart friends, but finds that Demas is really not one of them.
Demas is like those that Jesus mentioned in Mark.  “And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” (4:18-19)  The desires for the things of the world sneak in and take away our first love.  It may start out subtle, but soon moves in and takes control of the life.  Tozer writes, “The tyranny of things, of material things, temporal things, things which are and cease to be–this has become a tyranny.”  This is what rules a person’s life and chokes out the Word which was once there.
When I hear so-called Christians begin to clamor about legalism, Demas comes to mind.  I wonder if Paul ever warned him of some of the things he was doing.  Those things that people dabble in, those things that can cause a person to compromise and eventually make up the excuse of being “free” in the Lord.  H. Maurice Lednicky states, “What is too often defined as legalism is nothing more than carnality refusing to be crucified.”
It is important to remember that we are apart from the world.  The world is the enemy of God and, therefore, should be our enemy as well.  We are not made for this world, we are just passing through.  Our hope and home is in heaven.  “A Christian is one who dedicates himself to God to inhabit another world…”  (Tozer)

I like to sit out on my patio whenever I get the chance, especially in the fall.  I put a fire in the chiminea, do my devotions, read a book, or just sit.  There are not many birds around thanks to the grackles, that is, except doves.  They make a sound unlike other birds and they call throughout the area.  Over in the corner is a garden, Red Mountain Sage, and roses.  Right now the white wild roses are in bloom and also some that are brilliant red.  Sitting there in the freshness of the morning, with the sounds, the sights, the aromas, and listening to the crackling of the fire.  There is something about it.

“I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear,
Falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.”
–C. Austin Miles

What would it be like if the Lord came and spoke.  I don’t think it would be lightning and thunder, but it would be that still, soft voice.  A voice so calming, soothing, and quiet that the animals, the doves, would be quiet.  The doves would realize that their cooing is not equal to His voice.  When the Lord speaks there is also that special feeling put deep within our soul.  It is a song of serenity, of peace, of hope; it is not tumultuous or raging.

“He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody
That He gave to me,
Within my heart is ringing.”

Would we stay in the garden with Christ?  If so, why is it that we do not often visit Him there?  There has to be reasons, for He longs for us to come.  We cannot truly sing the last verse of the song, unless we first come to grips with why we do not seek Him in the freshness of the morning and in that garden atmosphere.  Woe to us.

“I’d stay in the garden with Him
Tho’ the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go;
Thro’ the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.”

Just think of what it would be like to walk and talk in the quiet of the morning with Jesus.  We get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that we cannot afford to tarry and wait for Him–we cannot afford to not tarry and wait for Him.

We mutually pledge to each other, our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”
–last phrase of the Declaration of Independence

That was an unique group of men; those men that signed that document that led to our independence from Britain.  Now that document did not make us free.  There were eight years of warfare.  Civilians, men who were not used to being soldiers, were put to the task of securing the freedom of what was to become the United States.  Two severe winters, one at Morristown, the other at Valley Forge, were survived and out of those times came an army.
This phrase epitomized the thought of those men who signed the Declaration.  Most folk today probably understand the concept, at least to a degree of giving one’s life and fortune for the cause of America.  However, we do have some jerks who take a knee during the National Anthem and it isn’t to pray.  Would they give their lives or fortunes?
Look at the last part of that phrase, “our sacred Honor.”  That’s a laugh anymore.  Tell me which of the bureaucrats in office understand honor, much less the sacredness of it.  What does a name mean anymore?  Do you carry within your being as you go through the day that principle of “sacred honor”?
We are in a testing time in this country.  Commercials and media drive us crazy; hmmm, where is their sacred honor?  Liars, cutthroats, extortionists, are trying to run the country, when in actuality it was set up to be run by the representatives of the people.  Of course, much of the blame lies with the people themselves.  So much of our election process is built upon perception and emotion, not on an educated electorate, and that was a fear of the Founders.
I recently came back across an article written by GB Oliver in which he writes.  “Governments possess no power, only force.  The power resides in the people and, when they exercise their powers, it creates life and energy; the force of government robs its people of energy.  Power arises from meaning, driven by motive and principal.  Force is incomplete and creates nothing, therefore, it must always move in opposition against something.”  When an oath was taken and men gave their sacred honor to uphold their ideals it once meant something, now we see those who strive for leadership positions and their cronies, the media, trying to manipulate the people.
Know what?  They do a good job of it.  Guess the question for all of us is–where is our sacred honor?

“Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.”
–Proverbs 14:34 (NASB)

It doesn’t take long to tell where a person’s treasure is, in fifteen minutes, with most people, you can tell whether their treasures are on earth or in heaven.”
–D. L. Moody

“What does a name mean?  Nothing, until a man makes it mean something.”
–Louis L’Amour

How are you identified?  What is it about you that others notice?  Are there identifying marks or scar; possibly there is an outstanding character trait?  Lincoln was known as “Honest Abe,” Washington for “not telling a lie.”  What is it about you?  During the days prior to World War II, Jews in Germany were required to wear identification–the yellow star.
Maybe you are identified by a character trait.  Anger may exemplify you, or perhaps you are always happy.  I can remember a student who always brightened up any room she was in by her smile.  That smile was always present, and it helped others.  Maybe you wear a constant frown or your lower lip is swollen from having it pooched out and stepping on it.
I’ve known people who were known for their hard work and others for their laziness.  Remember “Lightning” on “Amos & Andy”?  His words were always, “I’ll flash right over there,” but it was always in slow motion.  And then there was Wild Bill Elliott who always said, “I’m a peaceful man.”  I can remember a set of parents that caused teachers to avoid them.  If either of those parents walked down a hallway and a teacher saw them coming that teacher would dart into the restroom.
Some people are known for their evilness.  Think of Charles Manson, or of Gothic lore–Dracula.  They are cruel, hard, and uncaring toward others.  There was Dorian Grey, the epitome of self-centeredness and lust.  On the other hand, there are those who are definitely “good Samaritans.”  To throw a Biblical truth at you, people are known by their “fruits,” in other words their works and actions.  Take a minute and read Galatians 5 and think of those people you can identify by their works–either of evil or of the Spirit.
In the West the cattle were marked, branded and were identified by that brand.  It was a way of telling ownership and wealth, what belonged to whom, and there then was no question.  It is important that we carry on us the “brand” of the Holy Spirit and are known by Him and by others that we belong to Him.  In ancient times there was the “seal” the signet of the owner.  We are to be sealed by the Holy Spirit so that we are recognizable to Him on that day with the Lord returns.
With that in mind there will also be a seal of damnation in the end times.  There will be those who are known by the seal of the Antichrist.  They will be known as one of his.  Hmmm, interesting to ponder; so many today are seeking “seals” calling them tattoos.  Why would a person want anything other than the seal of the Holy Spirit – perhaps to draw attention to themselves.

“And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by Him for the day of redemption.”
–Ephesians 4:30 (HCSB)