Commended to the Lord
Paul and Barnabas set out as missionaries to take the gospel to all who had not heard about Jesus' death and resurrection for our salvation. They shared the gospel, started churches, and followed the directions of the Holy Spirit. Of course, they could not stay in one place very long, if they were to see the gospel spread quickly, so they appointed elders to lead the churches, and after fasting and prayer, they commended them to the Lord.(Acts 14:23) I believe we need to practice this today, instead of trying to control everything ourselves.
I understand that the churches were new. The believers were young in the Lord. The leaders were learning as they led. However, they had trusted the Lord, and the Lord is trustworthy. He was fully capable of leading them without Paul and Barnabas telling them everything. This is how God works. He directs us by the Holy Spirit, using His Word, prayer, circumstances, and other believers. He can do this for any believer, and we need to trust Him. Yes, Paul would check on them, and he continued to pray for all of them, but he was wise to commend them to the Lord.
Do you have anyone you need to fast and pray for, and then, commend them to the Lord? Have you ever had a child go to college or get married? You can't control them. You can't manage their lives, but you can check on them and pray regularly. The Lord will do His part which is much more important than what you could do, unless He directly tells you to intervene in their lives. It shows our confidence in the Lord, and it allows us to do more for Him.
Take a few minutes and consider the folks in your life that you need to commend to the Lord. Decide how you are going to do it, and do it. It will bless you and them.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Acts 16-18.
I understand that the churches were new. The believers were young in the Lord. The leaders were learning as they led. However, they had trusted the Lord, and the Lord is trustworthy. He was fully capable of leading them without Paul and Barnabas telling them everything. This is how God works. He directs us by the Holy Spirit, using His Word, prayer, circumstances, and other believers. He can do this for any believer, and we need to trust Him. Yes, Paul would check on them, and he continued to pray for all of them, but he was wise to commend them to the Lord.
Do you have anyone you need to fast and pray for, and then, commend them to the Lord? Have you ever had a child go to college or get married? You can't control them. You can't manage their lives, but you can check on them and pray regularly. The Lord will do His part which is much more important than what you could do, unless He directly tells you to intervene in their lives. It shows our confidence in the Lord, and it allows us to do more for Him.
Take a few minutes and consider the folks in your life that you need to commend to the Lord. Decide how you are going to do it, and do it. It will bless you and them.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Acts 16-18.