Welcome to Real-ity Based Blogging

Go ahead and look first at Acts 13 . See how God speaks to you individually. Then come back, if you wish, and see what God has put in my mind/heart.

Key Verse(s): Acts 13:13

From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.

Title: Friends on the Journey

Observation: Friendship, partners in the ministry, can be an incredible source of encouragement on a mission trip. And here Paul and Barnabas are out on a major mission and John leaves them to go back to Jerusalem. They could have been very discouraged that their mission partner had left them. We learn later that this was a major issue of John leaving, to the point that Paul wouldn’t take him along on the next missionary journey he would take. It would so upset Paul that it would break up his very successful partnership with Barnabas in sharing the gospel.

Yet, these two do not lose sight of their mission here. Even though John (sometimes called John Mark) would leave them, the story goes on from their, without missing a beat, to a time of fruitful ministry. They did not lose their focus despite their friend leaving them. They were clear on their mission and the One whom they served.

Application: I need to remember that that the circumstances of the ministry to which I am called are not the arbiters of my being faithful. I have the ability to follow the leading of Christ in difficult or easy circumstance. I need to praise God in either situation.

Prayer: Lord God, give me the ability to praise you when things are going well (like now, praise God!) and when things are going poorly. Help me to give you all the credit and to point to you in all circumstances.

In Jesus Name,
Amen.