We have to remember God is in control. Subversives in the white house; earthquake in Japan, Wildfires on I-5 in California; Democrats and liberals disrupting hearing on Judge Kavanaugh's nomination. All of these disruptions to take our attention away from God and what HE is doing. Remember, satan likes to throw "doubt darts" to make us question or turn away from what is good, and lean toward the dark side. Pray for America, the politicians, the world. God does hear prayers. Now for the GOOD NEWS:
4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
Seleucia was the port of Antioch. They, referring to Saul and Barnabas, boarded the boat and sailed to Cyprus. Why? Because the Holy Spirit sent them and this is a Holy Mission.
5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
Salamis was the Eastern port of Cyprus and the largest city. They shared the word of God in the synagogues, plural, as there were several due to the size of the city. Note the last line, they had also John to their minister. This is John Mark, a cousin of Barnabas and the writer of the book of Mark. John Mark was to minister or attend to the new converts and aid them in their growth as Christians.
6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
In these days Paphos was the capital of the province. They came upon a sorcerer or false prophet, a Jew. Now the name Barjesus means son of Jesus or son of Joshua. Jesus appears to have been a common name in these times.
This Barjesus was a magician or astrologer who was part of governor Sergius Paulus' political entourage.
7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
He is described as an intelligent man, truth-seeking, eager for information from all sources within his reach. He, the governor of the isle of Cyprus, was converted under the ministry of Paul, A. D. 48.
What a great mission trip. This should be said for each of us, what a great mission trip we are on. Can you say "I am doing God's work"? Continually. Hmmm! A struggle for us all. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny
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