I've been reading through the book of Acts and reflecting on the life of Paul. His life, his wisdom, the miracles God worked through him, and the way he dealt with the believers is profound on so many levels. It's amazing how God could take a man that once hated and persecuted Christians (even put them to death), and turn him into someone that was so loving and such a powerful soul-winner, and that when threatened with death, was able to remain calm and steadfast for God's truth! Truly Paul's life exemplifies II Cor 5:17
"If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are past away. Behold all things are become new."
Can you imagine the opportunity to work along side such a man of God? What a privilege! Many disciples must have coveted this position. Yet Barnabas is the one that had this privilege, at least for awhile.
But then something sad happened. Barnabas, his traveling companion, wanted to do something that Paul didn't feel was wise. (You can read about it in Acts 15:36-41.) Barnabus wanted to bring with them John Mark, but John Mark evidently had not been walking in the way or doing the work. Thus, Paul in his wisdom did not think this was best. In fact, judging on his reaction, he must have felt that it would actually be a hindrance to their work. There was such contention between them over this matter that they separated. At first we might think, "Well, maybe Paul was a little too harsh with Barnabas over the matter. Maybe he didn't make the wise choice there to say no, because he lost Barnabas as a traveling companion after that." However, as you read on through the Bible, it's obvious that God continued to walk with Paul and work through him in a mighty way. In fact, after their separation, the experiences, miracles, and testimony of Paul and his traveling companions go on and on. Paul is mentioned over 100 times in the Bible after they separated. Obviously, God was with Him and in a very big way. But what happened to Barnabas? Well, he's mentioned only 5 times in the entire Bible after this separation, and a couple of those times are not even in a positive reference…it sounds like he got caught up in the "dissimulation" (or hypocrisy) of the Jews and was carried away. What a sad way to end his work for God.
But then something sad happened. Barnabas, his traveling companion, wanted to do something that Paul didn't feel was wise. (You can read about it in Acts 15:36-41.) Barnabus wanted to bring with them John Mark, but John Mark evidently had not been walking in the way or doing the work. Thus, Paul in his wisdom did not think this was best. In fact, judging on his reaction, he must have felt that it would actually be a hindrance to their work. There was such contention between them over this matter that they separated. At first we might think, "Well, maybe Paul was a little too harsh with Barnabas over the matter. Maybe he didn't make the wise choice there to say no, because he lost Barnabas as a traveling companion after that." However, as you read on through the Bible, it's obvious that God continued to walk with Paul and work through him in a mighty way. In fact, after their separation, the experiences, miracles, and testimony of Paul and his traveling companions go on and on. Paul is mentioned over 100 times in the Bible after they separated. Obviously, God was with Him and in a very big way. But what happened to Barnabas? Well, he's mentioned only 5 times in the entire Bible after this separation, and a couple of those times are not even in a positive reference…it sounds like he got caught up in the "dissimulation" (or hypocrisy) of the Jews and was carried away. What a sad way to end his work for God.
As we prepare for Christ's soon coming, I'm reminded of how important it is that we PRESS TOGETHER, and STAY TOGETHER! Working with the ARME Bible Camp ministries team has become one of my greatest joys, and I have come to love my teammates dearly. However, sometimes, as we are in such close quarters, and we work and travel so much together, there can be small misunderstandings or rifts that can develop. By God's grace, we've always worked these things out. So I am so thankful for that, and that although I have faults, and we all have areas of weakness, because of our unity with Christ, we can continue to work through the details of life and ministry together. I pray that we never loose this ability.
My dearest friend Kim, just sent me a reminder of what our attitude should and should NOT be towards our brother's in Christ as we work for Him, and I wanted to share that here, especially as we are preparing for another big camp. This passage of inspiration comes from the book, Testimonies for the Church, Volume 6, page 42.
"The success of the meeting depends on the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. For the outpouring of the Spirit every lover of the cause of truth should pray. And as far as lies in our power, we are to remove every hindrance to His working. The Spirit can never be poured out while variance and bitterness toward one another are cherished by the members of the church. Envy, jealousy, evil surmising, and evilspeaking are of Satan, and they effectually bar the way against the Holy Spirit’s working. Nothing else in this world is so dear to God as His church. Nothing is guarded by Him with such jealous care. Nothing so offends God as an act that injures the influence of those who are doing His service. He will call to account all who aid Satan in his work of criticizing and discouraging.
Those who are destitute of sympathy, tenderness, and love cannot do Christ’s work. Before the prophecy can be fulfilled, The weak shall be 'as David,' and the house of David 'as the angel of the Lord' (Zechariah 12:8), the children of God must put away every thought of suspicion in regard to their brethren. Heart must beat in unison with heart. Christian benevolence and brotherly love must be far more abundantly shown. The words are ringing in my ears: 'Draw together, draw together.' The solemn, sacred truth for this time is to unify the people of God. The desire for pre-eminence must die. One subject of emulation must swallow up all others—who will most nearly resemble Christ in character? who will most entirely hide self in Jesus?
Those who are destitute of sympathy, tenderness, and love cannot do Christ’s work. Before the prophecy can be fulfilled, The weak shall be 'as David,' and the house of David 'as the angel of the Lord' (Zechariah 12:8), the children of God must put away every thought of suspicion in regard to their brethren. Heart must beat in unison with heart. Christian benevolence and brotherly love must be far more abundantly shown. The words are ringing in my ears: 'Draw together, draw together.' The solemn, sacred truth for this time is to unify the people of God. The desire for pre-eminence must die. One subject of emulation must swallow up all others—who will most nearly resemble Christ in character? who will most entirely hide self in Jesus?
“Herein is My Father glorified,” Christ says, “that ye bear much fruit.” John 15:8. If there was ever a place where the believers should bear much fruit, it is at our camp meetings. At these meetings our acts, our words, our spirit, are marked, and our influence is as far-reaching as eternity."
Isn't that powerful?
So my prayer for all of us, whether working in ministry, attending an ARME Bible Camp, or working to support and spread the gospel on any scale, let us not allow misunderstanding or dispute to come up between us. Let us, at all cost to self, press together and seek to be unified in Christ, that we, as Paul, can carry on with many more amazing testimonies of God's glory and God's work in our lives!
Isn't that powerful?
So my prayer for all of us, whether working in ministry, attending an ARME Bible Camp, or working to support and spread the gospel on any scale, let us not allow misunderstanding or dispute to come up between us. Let us, at all cost to self, press together and seek to be unified in Christ, that we, as Paul, can carry on with many more amazing testimonies of God's glory and God's work in our lives!
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