Do not get discouraged even when people do not do what they should

Do not get discouraged even when people do not do what they should
Acts 12:25; 13:1-13.

Are you angry with someone today? Before you express your anger consider two things:

What you think might not be completely true.

What you think might be true but you cannot force other people to make right decisions.

The case of John Mark

When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark. (Acts 12:25)

The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper. (Acts 13:4-5)

From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. (Acts 13:13)

Too difficult

John Mark gave up the missionary journey and went back to Jerusalem. It was more difficult work than he had expected. Missionary work can be demanding.

First great promise, then disappointment

The Apostle Paul and Barnabas saw great promise in John Mark, but he cut out early in this first missionary journey. They both depended on John Mark for his help but he disappointed and frustrated them by being undependable.

Why we become undependable?

People become undependable for many reasons. Some are logical reasons, others are not.

We need to be careful. We also need to remember that in the course of our lives perhaps we have also disappointed and discouraged some people?

Disagreement between brothers in Christ

As we know the Apostle Paul and Barnabas split up over the issue of accepting John Mark back on the team for the second missionary journey. (Acts 15:36-41)

Encouragement!

We can be encouraged by the fact that they made up because later the Apostle Paul mentions his good relationships with Barnabas (1 Cor. 9:6) and also with John Mark. (2 Tim. 4:11)

Do not get discouraged even when people do not do what they should!

Dr. Czeslaw Bassara ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; www.proword.eu)