Acts 13:3 (KJV) A Church Decision, Not a Solo Choice

Acts 13:3 (KJV)

And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 

It is quite important, I think, to note that it was not Barnabas and Saul alone whom the Holy Ghost told to separate for what we now call the work of missions. God told the church, specifically the “prophets and teachers.”

At one time in Anabaptist history, they took this literally. The church would choose someone from among them to send on a mission. Sometimes, if the person was a single man, they would also choose a woman to be his wife so she could go with him. Today, we’ve almost come full circle. A person can sometimes surprise their church by announcing they’ve “surrendered” to go into the ministry—without so much as consulting their pastor.

In my years of ministry, I have known some individuals for whom it was very obvious that God was calling them into His work. I’ve also known others who claimed God was calling them, but I just couldn’t see it. I grieved to see some go into a work I was not sure God had truly called them to.

I participated in an ordination some years ago where the candidate’s wife was asked to give a testimony. (That’s typical in our circles because it doesn’t seem sound to separate a man for ministry whose wife is not supportive.) To my surprise, her testimony involved me. I had spoken at a teen camp when she was younger. One of my messages was directed at young men concerning the call to ministry. The camp director insisted—despite my objection—that I bring the same lesson to the young women. This young lady was among them. In her testimony, she stated that although she could tell I was uncomfortable speaking to girls about the call to ministry, she believed God called her at that time. I believe my discomfort has borne itself out, as she and her husband are no longer in the ministry and nearly lost their marriage because of it.

When God calls someone into the ministry, they should certainly sense that and surrender to it. No one should feel forced, coerced, or in any way "sold" into entering the ministry. However, one who desires to serve in the ministry would be wise to seek the wisdom of their church—especially their pastor—before rushing headlong into the front lines of spiritual battle. It is not God’s will for everyone, and the church may serve as a safeguard to prevent a man or family from stepping into a calling for which they are not equipped.

#BiblicalMissions  #CallingToMinistry #Acts13KJV #ChurchLeadership #SpiritualDiscernment

A Church Decision, Not a Solo Choice: The Role of the Local Church in God’s Calling

When He makes a way, will you take the next step? Get up, get dressed, and follow Him today! Take one bold step of faith today—share the Gospel, start that ministry, or obey what God has been pressing on your heart.

What step of faith are you taking this week? Drop it in the comments!

🌎 Visit marvinmckenzie.org for more biblical insights and resources.

👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6700 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

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Acts 13:3 (KJV) A Church Decision, Not a Solo Choice

Acts 12:8 (KJV) Divine Intervention and Personal Responsibility

Acts 12:8 (KJV)

And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. 

There is a marvelous yet subtle blending of the natural and the supernatural in the account of Peter’s rescue from prison and certain execution.

The Bible says the angel came, Peter’s chains fell off, and the prison doors opened of their own accord. Peter had nothing to do with these things—he was sleeping so soundly that the angel had to wake him, almost violently. I’ve been that sound asleep, as I’m sure we all have at one time or another.

But then the angel told Peter to get dressed and led him out of the prison. If the chains could fall off and the doors open on their own, surely the angel could have miraculously dressed Peter and simply made him appear outside the prison.

Here is a hard truth for us to grasp: though God could do everything for us miraculously, He seldom does. There is almost always a part we must play in God’s design. If Peter had expected the angel to carry him out of the prison, he’d still be there today. He had to dress himself and walk out on his own two feet.

Following the Lord is always this blend of divine intervention and personal responsibility. I can testify to times in my life when the presence and blessing of the Lord were dreamlike—answers to prayer so obvious and precise that they were overwhelming. But every morning, I have still needed to get up, get dressed, and choose to follow God.

No one escapes their “prison” without that.

#ChristianFaith #TrustGodsPlan #BibleLessons #SpiritualGrowth #FaithInAction

Divine Intervention and Personal Responsibility: God Opens Doors, But We Must Walk Through 

When He makes a way, will you take the next step? Get up, get dressed, and follow Him today! Take one bold step of faith today—share the Gospel, start that ministry, or obey what God has been pressing on your heart.

What step of faith are you taking this week? Drop it in the comments!

🌎 Visit marvinmckenzie.org for more biblical insights and resources.

👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6700 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Acts 12:8 (KJV) Divine Intervention and Personal Responsibility

Acts 11:2 (KJV) Christianity and Contention

Acts 11:2 (KJV)

And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, 

None of us, I imagine, enjoy contention. We’d like to live in a world of peace, tranquility, and rest. Many people think that’s what Christianity is all about. Forgetting the brutality that exists in the world without Christ, they raise huge objections against the faith because, in fact, contention exists within it.

The skeptic and unbeliever see it as an excuse (one of many) to reject Christ.
The young and idealistic believers often walk away from the faith, discouraged by the battle.

Here’s the thing: it stands to reason that something as important—eternally critical—as the faith must be earnestly contended for.

I notice this contention involved someone as highly esteemed as Peter:

• An apostle
• One of Christ’s inner circle
• The preacher on the day of Pentecost

But the truths of the faith are important enough that even a hero of the faith should be questioned if his actions, teaching, or testimony stray.

I also notice that Peter’s response was not, “How dare you question me.” He was humble and willing to explain how God had led him to his actions. He also gave a report of the results.

Finally, I notice that once Peter had explained himself, the believers were not only content but joyful, glorifying God for what He—not Peter—had done.

We must earnestly contend for the faith. But we must also be willing to learn, to be gracious, and ultimately, to seek to glorify God in all things.

#ChristianFaith #BiblicalTruths #DefendingTheFaith #HumbleLeadership #GlorifyGod

Christianity and Contention: The Faith Must Be Defended

Stand for truth, stay humble, and glorify God! When challenged, will you defend the faith with grace like Peter did? Comment below with a time you’ve stood for biblical truth! Then take action—share the Gospel with someone today. 

🌎 Visit marvinmckenzie.org for more biblical insights and resources.

👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6700 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

 Acts 11:2 (KJV) Christianity and Contention

Acts 10:7 (KJV) God’s Higher Authority

Acts 10:7 (KJV)

And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; 

The business the centurion had was of a high order. The angel had communicated an urgent detail: There was a man who could tell him what he ought to do. What could be more important?

So, he did as the angel had bidden him and sent for Peter, not by means of one messenger, but three:

• Two were household servants, aware of the personal issues of the centurion and his home.
• One was a devout soldier, obviously of the same spiritual character and close to his commanding officer.

Sending three men corroborated the message they were to give. 

After all, it was an important and unusual one.

Sending three communicated the urgency of the message. 

He wanted them to make haste in their duty and for Peter not to delay his coming.

Sending three was also practical. 

Given the dangers of travel, the number of men (one of whom was a soldier) would make the journey safer.

Sending three, according to some of the commentaries, was more respectful. 

The centurion, accustomed to respect being given to him, recognized he was appealing to an authority higher than himself.

God is no respecter of persons. From the lowest stations of life to the highest, He offers access to eternal life through Jesus Christ.

#Acts107 #CenturionFaith #UrgentMessage #GodsAuthority #SalvationForAll

God’s Higher Authority: Salvation for All, Regardless of Status

Act on God’s call today—just as the centurion did. What step can you take to obey God’s direction in your life right now? Share in the comments! 

🌎 Visit marvinmckenzie.org for more biblical insights and resources.

👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6700 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Acts 10:7 (KJV) God’s Higher Authority

Acts 9:27 (KJV) The Encourager’s Strengths and Struggles

Acts 9:27 (KJV)

But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 

I've heard the name Barnabas defined as “son of consolation” and “son of rest.” The ancient Hebrew appears to be closer to “son of the prophet.” The original Hebrew word likely meant something like “the fruit that’s inside” or one’s character.

No doubt, Barnabas was a man of character. He was:

• generous (selling his property to care for the poor), 
• courageous (risking himself to meet with and vouch for Saul’s salvation), 
• visionary (recognizing the work in Antioch and seeking out Saul to serve there), 
• surrendered (willing to be sent as a missionary), and 
• gracious (willing to forgive John Mark).

Every strength we have can also become a weakness. Barnabas’ graciousness later caused a division between he and Paul. I won’t say Paul was in the wrong—he was the man God used to give us the bulk of the New Testament, and Barnabas is never mentioned again. However, that doesn’t mean Barnabas was out of God’s will. Though we don’t hear of him again, we do see his fruit later—when Paul, near the end of his life, declares that John Mark is profitable for the ministry.

The quality of grace is of great value. But it must be checked by truth. Grace, without truth, can become license.

#BarnabasTheEncourager #GraceAndTruth#CharacterMatters #BoldForChrist #FaithfulFruit

The Encourager’s Strengths and Struggles: The Hidden Impact of Ministry

Barnabas showed us the power of grace and truth in action. How can you apply both in your life today? Share your thoughts in the comments! Start by reaching out to someone who needs encouragement and show them both grace and truth in your words and actions.

🌎 Visit marvinmckenzie.org for more biblical insights and resources.

👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6700 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Acts 9:27 (KJV) The Encourager’s Strengths and Struggles