It's all about Faith and Reconcillia-che!

I was in Acts 15 today, and several points worth sharing came to mind:

#1 Acts 15:9, talking to the jews about God's view of the gentiles, Peter said: "He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith."
Simply this is a great reminder that our faith in God purifies our hearts and is a large part of the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2). Lord, purify our hearts today from any wrong thinking!

#2 The Power of God's Reconciliation Acts15:36-40 "Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing." Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord."

Though Paul was upset and didn't want John Mark to come, by the time he was in prison in Cyprus during his last days, he wrote in 2Tim4:11 "Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry."
God clearly healed the upset Paul felt; God worked and grew Mark from deserter to useful instrument. God is the God of the 2nd thru the 1millioneth chance! And no matter how we mess up he will prune us and grow us if we let him. God is truly our reconciler and redeemer in every sense of the word!