Daily Devotions – Trust God in all Circumstances

Daily Devotions – Trust God in all Circumstances

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

 

Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:

 

Acts 15:36-16:5 (NIV)
Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas
36 Sometime later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas
16 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. 2 The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

 

When have you given up your “rights” in order to better represent Christ to others?

I have given up my rights sometimes by letting someone say what they need to say, even if I disagree. I allow them time to fully express themselves and truly listen in order that we can find some point that we can agree on so we can have amicable discussions. This can be on any subject, but it is especially important if we are talking about matters of faith… God listens to us and we must demonstrate that quality to others.

Lord, I thank you for all the brothers and sisters in the faith that you have surrounded me with. I am so thankful that you have created each one of us differently and that you are constantly giving each of us experiences that shape our hearts and minds. Each of our experiences can help us see you in a different way yet always revealing to us your steadfast love for us. Lord, I pray that even though I may disagree with one of my brothers or sisters in the faith that you would keep my heart open to love them and not be a cause of discouragement or dissension among those I serve with. Lord, I continue to ask you to help me see everyone with your amazing love. May your Holy Spirit help me to speak only words of peace and gentleness Please make my words and actions bring glory to your name.  I thank you, Lord, that in all circumstances I can trust in your mighty power.

Today’s prayer submitted by Jo Schneider