Shifting paradigms can be painful

Working together as a team is not easy. Each one has their own inspiration and aspirations. There are always matters that can come up where there would be differing opinions. You therefore need a leader who is respected to make the final decisions to move forward and everyone is prepared to abide by that decision. Households are the same, and so was the early church. Peter gave wise leadership through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 15:10-12
Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.” Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.

Peter clearly understood the grace of God extended for us to be saved. We can add nothing except to receive the Holy Spirit and operate in faith. Paul and Barnabas also had differences of opinions. This resulted in what I believe a new beneficial partnership for the Lord. All things worked together for good. Paul partnered Silas (who had come to Antioch on the instruction of the apostles and elders of the church in Jerusalem) in the second missionary journey. And the efforts were multiplied with Barnabas and John Mark going to Cyprus, and Paul and Silas going to Syria and Cilicia. Sometimes these things happen in difficult ways but they have to be forced to get us to do things outside our comfort zone or set thinking. Time to hear God and plot new things in new paradigms.

Father, help me to constantly hear you and do right.

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