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A more positive explanation
of the BARNABAS and PAUL split | ACTS 15:36
By Ryan Rufus (6min
58sec)
“And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us
return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of
the Lord, and see how they are.’ And
Barnabas was desirous of taking John, called Mark along with them also.
“But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him
along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the
work. And there arose such a sharp
disagreement that they separated from one another and Barnabas took Mark with
him and sailed away to Cyprus. But Paul
chose Silas and departed, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the
Lord.” Acts 15:36-40
[As Paul sat in a prison at the end of his life, here is
what he wrote about Mark] “Make every effort to come to me soon, for Demas,
having loved this present world has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica;
Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he
is useful to me for service.” II Timothy 4:9-11
This morning’s assignment comes from real life.
Have you ever met someone who seem cranky about everything? Their life is filled with grumbling and many
times they have isolated themselves from everyone possible.
When you think about it, somewhere in their life there ‘nests’
a hurt that has ‘birthed’ their behaviour -- as they push others away, even those
who might help them. They likely are
reviled by everyone who knows them:
family, previous friends, neighbours, shopkeepers – everyone.
I have a friend, who has been travelling regularly, two
hours to and from the home of a man (‘Sheldon’) who has grown bitter, brittle
and lost in his anger and strong drink. Sheldon
has only one ‘friend’ he trusts now, and that is a ratty, ill-tempered dog that
he loves.
The dog has taken sick.
So, my friend is on his way this morning to get this animal to a vet. It is sadly apparent God is using this dog as
a last thread of hope in Sheldon’s life.
Today’s assignment is to focus on someone you know who is
like Sheldon.
1. Set
aside an hour and find a place where you will not be interrupted.
2. Bring
your Bible, notebook, something to write with and a refreshment.
3. Quiet
your heart and pray the Lord will open your heart to insights into an
individual who seems to spend a lot of energy pushing everyone away.
4. Date
a page in your notebook and write the name of that person at the top (if you
have more than one, complete one at a time).
5. Write
a brief description of what this person appears to be to others and how you
know them. (They could be a family
member, a friend, a work colleague, even someone you don’t know well.)
6. Write
out a special prayer request to support this person, their health and
relationship with the Lord. Then
covenant to pray for them every morning for the next seven days (at least).
7. At
the end of the week, thank the Lord for working in this person’s life and, if
possible, contact them and let them know someone cares about them too.
Take care with love, especially His, Darlene (who still
prays for you daily)
PS: Find my statement
of faith: https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com
(where you will also find a series of
beginner Bible studies to share). You can easily find the WeakDay Devotion online
by doing a Google search for ‘WeakDay Devotion’. (Also, there is an android ‘Google
Blogger’ app you can download to read them on your phone. Not sure about Apple.). For the books, go to Amazon
books.
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS (any updates?)
•
Thanksgiving - Tom and Elizabeth wedding was
lovely and Sue and Grant were able to
attend and enjoy the ceremony.
•
Lyle -continue
to pray as he recovers from surgery
on his wrist! Pray for his
continued healing and patience during this time and for Annette, his lovely wife who supports him. Also pray for Annette’s father who is
quite ill -- they’ve just discovered he has cancer and pray for Annette’s Mom who
will be there to support him through this time.
•
Pray for peace
and revival in America
•
Sarah and Andrew
– he has left his job and she has gone to work in a new and exciting
position. Pray for this precious Christian
couple that they focus on family balance to the glory of the Lord
•
Sue and Rob need prayers for wisdom and resolute spirits as
they deal with their adult nephew, Luke.
He is becoming increasingly disruptive and irresponsible. They invited him to stay with them as he was
struggling, but he has more than overstayed his welcome. Pray for healing for Luke and that he accepts
their request.
•
Iran - The country is in turmoil. Many are in danger for seeking freedom. Many
have been killed or thrown into prison.
Pray especially for Ryan's family and
friends there.
•
Thanksgiving - Bettina – is growing stronger in
courage and wisdom as she enters a new phase of her life in the Lord. Thank the Lord He has provided her with five,
married daughters and 17 grandchildren.
Pray they all grow to love and follow the Lord. The daughter we’ve especially been praying
for has begun to return to the Lord through a difficult time. Continue to pray for her and for the husbands
of two of her daughters who have not yet believed in the saving power of Jesus
Christ.
•
Robin –
just lost her beloved mother (was 93 years old), please pray for strength and
healing for her as she navigates through this time of mourning and for her
daughter who comforts her during this time.
•
Christine –
give her strength as she journeys to heart-healing and pray her husband gives
his heart to the Lord.
•
Family of Eric
– Eric died suddenly at 52 leaving his 47-year-old wife and three girls (ages
16, 19 and 23). Pray the Lord brings
strength to them as they regroup into a new life. Pray for trustworthy, honourable, Bible-based
friends to continue to support them.
•
Peyton and
Carter- Grandchildren of Jeff and
Rachael.
Payton is their eldest granddaughter and is now in her third year
at college. Carter is a senior in high
school. Both are exceptional students
and love the Lord. Pray they are not
distracted by worldly things, that they continue to do well in their studies
and that their love of the Lord increases daily.
•
Callilah-
a lost child. Pray the Lord captures her
heart.
Pray for
those in full-time service
Pray to uphold our Christian leaders – that they never
compromise God’s Word and remain bold and courageous in the face of evil. Pray for their wisdom, safety, ingenuity,
strength and for their families.
• Jenny S– who has served the Lord as a Bible teacher at a local Bible school for 25 years has been called to a new ministry. Give her courage and strength as she finds her way in this role. Give her a hungry curiosity under change. Help her identify the balance and value of her unique contribution. Pray the Lord maintains her health and finances in this time of stress.
•
Simon, Tamara
and their children – Simon (my pastor) will be entering a new phase of
his work and leaving our congregation.
Pray the entire family is gracious and courageous under change and that
their grace, devotion and love continues to reflect their love of the Word and
lordship of Jesus Christ. Strengthen the
congregation to rejoice with them as they leave us. And help us left behind welcome the new leader
the Lord has prepared for us.
•
Andrew –
a man devoted to his family and the responsibilities of leading a worldwide
ministry to the deaf, has been travelling extensively. Pray for his continued strength and health
and that through this time he discovers new insights.
•
Pat and Isobel
–as they serve tirelessly in challenging times.
Pray the Lord refreshes and strengthens them with ‘streams in the
desert’.
•
Jasper and Bec
– the new youth pastor who is completing his studies at Moore College while
living on campus. Pray for balance
between academic studies and common-sense family focus.
•
Patrick -
a Bible scholar, who is presently part of an English Translation Review
Committee, reviewing a new translation of the New Testament, ‘The Antioch Bible’
(translating from Syriac to English).
Pray for their hoped-for goal of finishing the entire NT this calendar
year and that he has increasing skill in the complicated languages he is
working with.
•
Elaine and Jim
Pounder and their Little Church ministry have begun a new work. Continue to pray for their safety, health, strength
and time with family as their ministry continues to spread around the world in
a model of home churches. Pray for the continued growth of their YouTube
channel and website: The Little Church
World at https://www.youtube.com/user/thelittlechurchworld
.
•
Audley M
– In his 90s remarried this year (his wife passed away a few years ago). Pray for their union in Christ and for their
health and strength. Pray for his wisdom
and the effective growth of his wonderful radio ministry (Florida, Virginia,
Alabama, Indianapolis) as America hunger for ‘True meat’!
Pray for those with ongoing health concerns
Many of us have family, friends and loved ones with fragile
health. Pray God takes special care with
them and protects them in practical ways and that the Lord will have mercy on
them during this challenging time.
•
UPDATE - Barbara
– (my sister-in-law) recovering from a serious infection in her leg. She is finally beginning to be better and is
now off the antibiotics. Please pray for
her complete recovery and for Tim who
is caring for her.
•
David – growing
stronger after his heart attack. Pray
for wisdom for his health carers and for Heidi,
his daughter, who cares for him daily, to be strong and healthy through this
time.
•
Sophie– six-year-old daughter of a friend is chronically
unwell and frail. Please pray for her,
her parents and health carers to find ways to manage her symptoms and heal her.
•
Hans– a
dear friend in Germany, continues his battle with lung cancer and financial
difficulties. Pray his new social worker
will be able to help him through this time.
Pray for his patience and God’s mercy, for his healthcare providers and
that he is surrounded by faithful and compassionate Christian friends who will
support him through this journey. Pray
for his Mom (age 84) -- that their
time together is filled with extraordinarily good memories and lots of love.
•
Denny –
is having heart problems. Please pray
for his health carers and for Marci, his wife, as she cares for him.
• Jake – A friend of my brother who is living with COPD (emphysema) and heart problems. Please pray for his daughter, Tiffany and for other friends to help him through his health journey.
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