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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness Gal 5:22 |
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Dear
Friend,
If you do not already have a habit of gathering daily manna the first thing in the morning (we can look at the example given to us in Exodus 16 and find the pattern for make it a habit. Establish your life and your schedule to allow you the necessary time to do your daily collection first thing every morning to give you the strength to make it through the day. And remember that today’s manna will not be sufficient for tomorrow; tomorrow’s manna must be collected tomorrow morning. Friday, May 17, 2019
Today's Passage : Today's Passage:Paul and Barnabas Go Their Separate Ways Bible Verse :Acts 15:30-41 "So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. " Message:
The four men mentioned in the first sentence are Paul and Barnabas, and two leaders from the church of Jerusalem, Silas and Judas (Barsabbas). The letter is one instructing that Gentiles are to be given full membership in the church, as long as they restrain from sexual immorality, and do not eat meat that has been sacrificed to animals, contains blood, or comes from an animal killed by strangling.
Early Christians
Then we have our first real political rift in the church, hardly 20 years after the death of Christ. Paul wants to revisit the cities where he and Barnabas had established new churches the previous year, and Barnabas agrees. But they fall out, because Barnabas wants to take John Mark, and Paul does not. So Barnabas and John Mark sail to Cyprus to visit the new churches; Paul decides on a different plan. He takes Silas to begin a new mission by land, north to Syria and Galatia (Turkey).
Truth be told, there probably wasn’t room in a single group for Paul and Barnabas’ egos. It is somewhat startling to see their feet of clay, in the form of pride, interfering with their mission. These are the founders of Christianity, among the bravest and holiest men the earth has seen. They are revered among the greatest saints in liturgical churches and admired as great men and models in more evangelical protestant churches.
And yet, here they are, spatting like a couple of committee members, digging in their heels and, finally, walking away in different directions. It is the first schism! If Paul and Barnabas can’t hold it together, what chance do we have?
Very little. Christianity is split into hundreds, if not thousands, of denominations and branches for a reason: Pride is born into us and will be with us until we die.
Pride may be incurable but it is, as doctors say, treatable. We must monitor and meditate upon our actions, seeking out pridefulness and trying to eliminate it. We must pray for the Holy Spirit to teach us humility, the "poverty of spirit" that Christ promised would bring the kingdom of heaven to us. (Matthew 5:3) We will sometimes fail, as Paul and Barnabas failed, but our confession and belief will cleanse away the pridefulness that is left. We will be forgiven; but we must not stop trying to live as Christ asked us, just because we expect forgiveness.
We must, in short, renew our commitment to do God’s will and live in his light every day.
Meditation : Prayer : God of mercy, swift to help: as my lips pour forth your praise, fill my heart with the peace you give to those who wait for your salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord....Amen |
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