“And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” – Acts 16:10

When God reveals His will, don’t hesitate to obey. Quickly and decisively. Always be discerning before acting, but be intentional and efficient in that discernment. Ask yourself a few key questions and then act without fear. Is this vision or sense of God’s leading consistent with Scripture? God will never contradict Himself. Is this vision or sense of leading consistent with God’s revealed will to make disciples and obey Jesus? Would acting on this vision or sense of leading be primarily about bringing glory to God or to yourself? Is this idea clearly beyond or outside yourself or is it really just an expression of what you want?

If your sense of God’s will and direction for your life passes these tests, then act! Don’t become paralyzed by fear or indecision. Don’t delay and quench the Spirit. Don’t let inertia set in. Act in the confidence that if God is truly calling you to something, He will open the doors and make the way. God opened Europe to the Gospel through this vision. Paul and his team were already so tuned into God’s teaching and will that it was easy for them to discern the vision was from God and that they needed to obey. God opened the door and they walked through without hesitation. The rest, as they say, is history. They didn’t need to have extensive planning meetings. They just moved forward in God’s will and it opened the western world to Christianity.

God’s revealed will remains to make disciples of all nations, tribes, and languages. He still leads with power, opening doors and breaking down barriers. If He’s calling you to be part of His Kingdom advance (which He is) commit to it! If you discern that He’s leading you to take a specific bold step of faith and obedience, then after that brief time of discernment, take the step! Walk in obedience to His Spirit and let Him lead you on a lifetime of blessedly challenging adventure! #FollowJesus

“Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.” – Acts 15:37-38

In Christ, people change. They can (and should) grow, mature, and move past their mistakes. During that process, not everyone will see or trust the progress, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t real. In the past, John Mark had failed Paul and Barnabas, abandoning them in the midst of a mission trip. In Acts 15, Barnabas was ready to give him another chance but Paul wasn’t. Their disagreement was so firm that they concluded they couldn’t work together. Barnabas wasn’t going to go without John Mark. Paul wasn’t going to go with him. They decided to split up and carry the Gospel more places through two teams than they could have with just one.

Who was right in this case? We don’t actually know. The Bible tells us that eventually John Mark and Paul would be reconciled and that Mark would prove himself quite useful to Paul in ministry. But was he ready for that in Acts 15? We simply don’t know. Nonetheless, this story gives us some useful things to think about…

Barnabas was a habitual encourager, an optimist who always saw the best in people as they were growing and changing. He had vouched for Paul when no other Christian trusted him. Barnabas was clearly right to keep believing in John Mark’s ability to grow and mature into a faithful servant of Christ. Eventually this young man would write the Gospel of Mark! On the other hand, Paul had an important task at hand. He needed teammates he could rely on and he just wasn’t there yet with John Mark. He wasn’t necessarily wrong. Sometimes, good Christians simply disagree in their assessment of someone’s present readiness vs. future potential.

Thankfully, Paul and Barnabas knew how to disagree in a way that advanced God’s mission and honored Him. They didn’t seek to crush the other person. They didn’t burn the bridges of their relationship. They just recognized that for the time being they needed to go their separate ways to advance God’s Kingdom. Do you know how to disagree with other Christians in this God-honoring way or do you still disagree in the scorched earth, take no prisoners manner our culture loves?

Do you recognize that in Christ, people can grow and change? Even if you conclude that you can’t work together with someone at the moment, do you keep the doors open to future reconciliation, relationship, and cooperation rooted in the confidence of Christ’s power to transform His people? Do you live in a way meant to encourage that change, believing the best about people’s potential in Christ? #FollowJesus

“And you shall offer a burnt offering, a food offering, with a pleasing aroma to the Lord, thirteen bulls from the herd, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old; they shall be without blemish;” – Numbers 29:13

The vast complexity and unceasing pattern of bloody animal sacrifices in the Old Testament point to a few crucial, yet simple, truths. Sin is actually rebellion against the God Who rightfully created and rules the universe. Sin causes death and the only way for sin to be forgiven is through the sacrificial death of something innocent. Sin is so pervasive in our lives that constantly sacrificing innocent animals can’t really save us. We need a Savior!

The relentless recitation of rules and laws related to animal sacrifices points us to our actual need. We need a single, once-for-all sacrifice that can take away all our sins forever. That sacrifice was made by Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus lived a life without blemish, a perfect life without sin despite being tempted in every way imaginable. As a man, He was nailed to a cross as our representative, paying the penalty for our sins so we won’t have to. As fully God, Jesus carried all our sins, past, present, and future, upon His shoulders as He suffered and died on that cross. His innocent, divine blood paid the penalty for all our sin, something no mere animals could ever do.

Jesus died, was buried, and physically rose from the dead on the third day. He appeared to hundreds of witnesses who lived the rest of their lives and went to their deaths to proclaim this truth. If you put your faith in Jesus as your Lord, then His sacrifice has paid for your sins and you are free from the eternal penalty for them. Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the sacrificial system. He is the final, ultimate, perfect sacrifice and He’s done for you what no number of animal sacrifices could. If you believe in Him, Jesus has set you free from sin’s power and sin’s consequence. In Christ, you are forgiven and free to live forever in the newness of eternal life. #FollowJesus

“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.” – Acts 14:15

When things go well, to whom do you give credit? Paul and Barnabas had done a great thing, healing a disabled man. Seeing this miracle, the crowd was so impressed that they declared Barnabas and Paul to be gods and were ready to celebrate them in a major way. Realizing what was happening, they quickly gave all credit to the one true God.

In your life, you’ve probably done some pretty great things. People may well have celebrated your accomplishments. When that happened, to whom did you give credit? Without resorting to fake humility, did you use that opportunity to point people to the God Who gifted you with the ability to do those things or did you simply enjoy the praise of others? Did you use that opportunity to promote yourself or promote the knowledge of God? Did you use the celebration to point toward what is ultimately good – life in Christ or to merely live in the moment?

Don’t beat yourself up if you’ve let past moments be about you rather than the God Who made and saved you. If you’ve tended to let people praise and celebrate your accomplishments in the past, turn that over to God and ask His forgiveness. Look for ways going forward to turn any celebration of you into an opportunity to share the truth of God’s blessing, presence, faithfulness, and work in your life. #FollowJesus

“Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle.” – Numbers 20:8

Moses was frustrated with the people of Israel. He was frustrated with their constant doubts, demands, and questions. It’s quite understandable in human terms, of course! Unfortunately, when God told Moses to gather the people and just speak to a rock to produce water in a manner that would bring glory to God, his anger got the best of him. Instead of simply speaking to the rock in the name of God, Moses rebuked the people. He made a show of his power and authority by striking the rock with his staff to produce water. He made the whole situation about himself rather than about God. God gave water to His people, but Moses had not trusted in God and rested in Him. He’d let his frustration win and undermined the glory of God.

For his lack of trust and obedience, Moses missed out on entering the Promised Land himself. He’d been a faithful servant. He’d done extraordinary things for God. He loved and spoke with God. But when given clear instructions by God, he’d disobeyed. For that, there were consequences. This seems harsh, but God has extremely high standards for those who lead in His name.

Regardless of whether you’re a leader or a faithful follower, let this story be a reminder to cultivate a heart that trusts God to deal out justice and vindicate those who are insulted. Cultivate a heart full of the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This is the heart of Jesus. A heart that speaks quietly rather than striking the rock publicly. A heart that points people consistently toward God rather than making things about him or herself. A heart that can rest in God’s righteousness and turn every frustration over to Jesus. A heart that loves like Jesus and trusts like Jesus, all the way to the cross if necessary. #FollowJesus