DCLM Daily Manna 31 January 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Needless Rancour

TOPIC: Needless Rancour (DCLM Daily Manna 31 January 2024)

KEY VERSE: “And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God” (Acts 15:39,40).

TEXT: Acts 15:36-41 (KJV)

36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.

37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

DCLM Daily Manna For Today MESSAGE:

In Japanese custom, there is what is called the pillow talk. When two children fight, each child is brought into the front of a pillow on a table in a room. The child will lay his hands on the pillow and say, “I am right, and I am wrong.” He, thereafter, moves to the second side of the pillow and says, “My friend is right, and I am wrong.” He then moves to the third side and says, “Both of us are right and both of us are wrong.” Finally, placing his hands on the fourth side of the pillow, thoughtfully, he says “I am partly right, and my friend is partly right.” The two will discover they have fought a needless fight.

After their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas decided to pay a follow-up visit to the converts in the cities they had preached the gospel. It was a great decision. However, a disagreement arose between them on whether John Mark who worked with them in their first missionary journey should accompany them in the second trip. The feud became so sharp that the duo had to go their separate ways. While Barnabas took John Mark with him, Paul chose Silas.

Many crises are caused in the world today due to needless rancour and disagreements between those who ought to be best of friends. Most of these conflicts are results of differences in perceptions and understanding of actions, situations and intentions. In many instances, such differences are taken to the extreme, culminating in conflicts that cause protracted hatred and wars.

In all, God’s purpose must be the chief consideration for our stand on decisions, not our personal preferences. As long as Christ’s precepts are not violated, no personal philosophy or ideology should be allowed to hinder the work of soul-winning and follow-up.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The great commission is too important to accommodate any form of distraction.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Romans 13-16