Tag: Barnabas

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

Reading: Acts 15:36-41 NLT

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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 15:4-21 – saved through grace

Reading: Acts 15:4-21 ESV

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When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.

But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”  

The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them,

“Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” 

And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,  

“‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it,  that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.’ 

“Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Forgive us for testing your patience… requiring cultural conformity of those seeking you. Thank you for the rich, beautiful variety of believers throughout the world. Raise up your people from every tribe and nation. Rebuild the ramparts of faith and restore your people who are called Christian. All to your glory. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Creation sings the Father’s song” Keith Getty; Stuart Townend; Kristyn Getty (2008)

Morning Reading: Acts 15:1-3 NLT – council delegates

Reading: Acts 15:1-3 NLT

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While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers : “Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, arguing vehemently.

Finally, the church decided to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, accompanied by some local believers, to talk to the apostles and elders about this question. The church sent the delegates to Jerusalem, and they stopped along the way in Phoenicia and Samaria to visit the believers. They told them—much to everyone’s joy—that the Gentiles, too, were being converted.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – all I need is you… your love, your mercy,  and your grace. You’ve done it all, on my behalf, on the cross. Set me free from any rules or regulations that I might add in to all sufficient grace. And give me a welcoming spirit towards all whom you have called to yourself.  To you be the glory. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “In Christ Alone” – Newsboys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4U5PgQgCdI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Morning Reading: Acts 14: 26-28 NLT – open door

Reading: Acts 14:26-28 NLT

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Finally, they returned by ship to Antioch of Syria, where their journey had begun. The believers there had entrusted them to the grace of God to do the work they had now completed.

Upon arriving in Antioch, they called the church together and reported everything God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too. And they stayed there with the believers for a long time.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – May I be found faithful by the grace of God to complete the work you have entrusted to me. And may I be willing to walk through the doors you open for me. Amen.

Hymn: “The Church’s One Foundation” – S. J. Stone (1866)

Morning Reading: Acts 14:21-25 NLT – encouragement and appointments

Reading: Acts 14:21-25 NLT

After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, where they strengthened the believers.

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They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.

Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

Then they traveled back through Pisidia to Pamphylia. They preached the word in Perga, then went down to Attalia.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Make me an encourager. Give me the wisdom when to speak… or not. Make me a strengthener. Give me strength and courage… to give away to others. Make me a servant. Give me discernment… to help identify and annoint servant leaders. Make me a pray-er… to offer myself as a living sacrifice to advance your Kingdom purpose where you have placed me. To you be the glory. Amen.

Hymn: “There’s a wideness in God’s mercy”
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There’s a wideness in God’s mercy like the wideness of the sea; there’s a kindness in his justice, which is more than liberty.

There is no place where earth’s sorrows are more felt than in God’s heaven: there is no place where earth’s failings have such kindly judgment given.

For the love of God is broader than the measure of the mind; and the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.

If our love were but more faithful, we should take him at his word; and our life be filled with glory from the glory of the Lord.