Morning Reading: Acts 16:1-5 ESV – ouch

Reading: Acts 16:1-5 ESV

Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium.

Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – remove whatever stumbling blocks there are in my life that would prevent you from living in me and through me. And may I look to you for approval and not to any thing or any one else. To you be the glory. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “All to Jesus I surrender” – Judson W. Van De Venter (1896)

Morning Reading: Acts 15:36-41 NLT – second chances

Reading: Acts 15:36-41 NLT

After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.”

Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work.

Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care.

Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – We pray for unity, but sometimes you use disagreement for your greater purpose. Thank you for encouragers like Barnabas… who give people second chances. Thank you for people like John Mark… who make the most of the second chance they receive. Thank you for people like Paul… who is singularly focused on his mission. Thank you for people like Silas… who wait for the opportunity to serve and respond enthusiastically. Strengthen your church, Lord Jesus, and multiply your messengers. To God’s glory. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Bless the Lord oh my soul” – Matt Redman

Morning Reading: Acts 15:22-35 NLT – encouraging news

Reading: Acts 15:22-33 – 35 NLT

Then the apostles and elders together with the whole church in Jerusalem chose delegates, and they sent them to Antioch of Syria with Paul and Barnabas to report on this decision. The men chosen were two of the church leaders —Judas (also called Barsabbas) and Silas.

This is the letter they took with them:

“This letter is from the apostles and elders, your brothers in Jerusalem. It is written to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings!

“We understand that some men from here have troubled you and upset you with their teaching, but we did not send them! So we decided, having come to complete agreement, to send you official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are sending Judas and Silas to confirm what we have decided concerning your question.

“For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements: You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.”

The messengers went at once to Antioch, where they called a general meeting of the believers and delivered the letter. And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.

Then Judas and Silas, both being prophets, spoke at length to the believers, encouraging and strengthening their faith. They stayed for a while, and then the believers sent them back to the church in Jerusalem with a blessing of peace.

Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch. They and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord there.

Prayer: Holy Spirit – Thank you for sending out itinerant encouragers… people who build up believers and strengthen their faith. And when they move on, bring to memory all that came from you… and let anything that came from them be forgotten. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Your Love Never Fails” – Jesus Culture

St Philip Neri and the Lesson of the Better Part

Living with the end in mind.

Biltrix

Saints are those who best understand the lesson of the better part. St Phillip Neri understood the lesson well.

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Anxious and Worried about Many Things

“Apart from Me, you can do nothing. “

Biltrix

“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5

Christ reminded us at the Last Supper, when he told his Apostles that he was the vine and they were the branches, that we should always stay united to him.
His encounter with Mary and Martha in this Sunday’s Gospel teaches us the same lesson, a lesson that Martha really needed to learn.

Martha needed to learn that what we do for Christ has to flow out of what we are for him: true and devoted friends.

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