ESOCS Devotional 25 May 2021
TEXT: ACTS 15:35-41
MEMORY VERSE: “Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also” (Acts 15:35 KJV).
Our target in the Church is to make disciples, sustain disciples, and make us all grow in the Spirit and power of God. In doing this, we adopt diverse strategies and involve different persons.
It is our duty to continue in the ministry of the word to those who truly need it. Remaining in a comfort zone may not do the needful. We have got to locate virgin fields for the gospel, and make sure that we achieve the Lord’s purpose. Paul and his team remain in Antioch until they turned many unbelievers into Christians, and many sinners into saints.
We should make the time we spend in any place, and among people useful to the purposes of God’s kingdom. Paul and Barnabas made their stay in Antioch purposeful and useful. They did not waste such opportunity. They were fruitful to Jesus. We should do likewise, and be like them too.
Again, we should always plan to recruit more workers in God’s Vineyard, the business of the kingdom of God. Paul took Silas in his missionary journeys; Barnabas chose Mark. They split into two groups and continued the work of God, strengthening the churches at different places with the word of God (vv. 39-41).
But let us learn also, that sometimes there may be disagreements among the brethren. When this happens, we must not allow it to stop or deter the work of God, or tear us apart from one another, thereby creating the basis or foundation for enmity and disaffection. No! Paul and Silas did not allow that! Rather, they carried on, despite their disagreement. Whereas the devil planned to scattered them, they converted the situation into forming two formidable groups that went about doing exploits for the Lord, and for the kingdom of God. Let us remember this always.
- Make the time you spend anywhere useful to God.
- Lord, give me the Spirit to work for you effectively.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Proverbs 15:28-33; Exodus 3:1-12; 2 Timothy 4:1-11
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ESOCS Devotional 25 May 2021
