Acts 13, When Barnabas and Saul finished their mission they returned to the church in Antioch, and there they prayed and fasted with the prophets and teachers. While they were Worshiping and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Barnabas, Saul, and John (Mark) went to Seleuica and sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues.

They traveled the island and came to Pathos. There the proconsul, Sergius Poulus, sent for them because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer ( that's what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul (Paul), filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and told him he was a child of the devil, and deceit and trickery. And the Lord was was against him. And for a time he would be blind and not see the light of the sun.

Immediately Elymas went blind. When the proconsuls saw this he believed, because he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

Paul and and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, there John (Mark) left and went back to Jerusalem. From Perga they went to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue, and sat down. After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, Paul was asked to speak if they had a message of encouragement for the people.

13:15 Synagogue rulers customarily invited visiting rabbi to address the congregation, and in this case the apostle Paul responded by delivering his longest recorded sermon. The rulers got more than they bargained for: The next week virtually the whole city turned out to hear him, resulting in a near-riot. (verses 44-45)

Paul's sermon goes from verses 16-41.

13:42, As Paul and Barnabas left, the people followed and asked them to come back the next week and they did.

The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked against what Paul was saying.

13:46-47, This incident is the first of several occasions in Acts showing Paul turning away from the Jews (see 18:6; 19:9).When the Jews rejected his message, he went to the Gentiles. Eventually he became known as the "Apostle to the Gentiles." even though he maintained a deep love for his own people see Romans9:15.

In13:47, Paul and Barnabas said, "This is what the Lord has commanded us:"

" I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth ( Isaiah 49:6)."

When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord: and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. But the Jews incited the woman and men of the city to persecute Paul and Barnabas and expel them from the region. So they went to Iconiam. And the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

I love reading about Paul and his growth in our Lord. Maybe because he was the first Apostle to the Gentiles and gave us the Word of God, and the road to Salvation through Jesus Christ, the light of our lives.

MAY OUR LORD WALK WITH YOU EVERY DAY IN PEACE AND LOVE.

For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.

Psalm 36:9

Yours in Christ Sharon Rose

BARNABAS, THE ENCOURAGER

I want to tell you a little about Barnabas, because he was a great influence on Paul.

Thought his real name was Joseph, he became known as "Barnabas", an apt nickname meaning "Son of encouragement." Barnabas had a knack for recognizing and encouraging others' potential. His most notable beneficiary? None other than the apostle Paul.

Even after his dramatic conversion, Paul frightened Jewish Christians- so much so that when he reached Jerusalem they all kept their distance. Wasn't this the fire-breather who had hurt so many believers? But Barnabas led Paul to the apostles and introduced them ( 9:26-27).

Later, when the first Gentile church sprang to life in Antioch, Barnabas encouraged these new Christians and then thought of a role for Paul (11:25-26). Barnabas helped Paul find his real calling: to nurture churches that crossed Jewish - Gentile lines.( Paul would eventually become known as the "Apostle to the Gentiles.") Soon God would hand pick the two of them to leave Antioch on the missionary journey (13:1-3).

Ironically, Barnabas's encouraging outlook put him at odds with Paul. On that first trip they took along Barnabas's young cousin John Mark, who quit in mid-journey. When they were planning a second trip, Barnabas wanted to give Mark another chance, but Paul refused. Consequently they split and went their separate ways (15:36-40.) Barnabas proved right on this point, for Mark proved trustworthy and Paul ultimately came to depend on him (2 Tim 4: 11).

Whom do you encourage, and how do you do it ? Who encourages you?

MAY YOU WALK WITH GOD IN CONFIDENCE OF HIS PROMISES AND GREAT LOVE.

GOD IS FAITHFUL

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.

~ Psalm 36:5 ~

Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.

~Psalm 115:1 ~

Yours in Christ's love Sharon Rose

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

There was a man who went out to sow. As he scattered the seed in the field, some of it fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some of it fell on rocky ground, where there was little soil. Seeds soon sprouted, because the soil wasn't deep. When the sun came up it burned the young plants, and because the roots had not grown deep enough the plants soon dried up. Some of the seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. But some seeds fell in good soil, and bore grain: some had 100 grains, others 60, and others 30.

When Christ explained the parable He said, some would hear and not understand , some would hear and turn back to the world , others would hear and become faithful servants. Those that hear and obey are blessed with His company in our walk in life on this world and the next.

Matthew 13:3-9

REWARD OF THE FAITHFUL SERVANT

Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in managing small amounts, so I will put you in charge of large amounts. Come on in, and share my happiness! Matthew 25:21

I am so proud to know and be a part of Christ in Pogo, and to know that we have leaders that can help Sharon grow to a point that she can step out and maintain her own site for the harvesting of souls for Christ. I know that Christ is telling Jake and Susie good job, good and faithful servant.

PRAISE AND GLORY IN OUR LIVING GOD. AMEN ABBA

Your loving sister in Christ Sharon Rose