When our dreams and visions don’t turn out the way we thought, it can lead to depression and discouragement in our lives.

The Question is how can we get to the point of singing “Have Thine own Way Lord”

Story of Mark

Acts 13: 1 – 3 Paul and his companions set out on a missions trip

Now there were these prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaen (a close friend of Herod the tetrarch from childhood) and Saul. 2 While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, after they had fasted and prayed and placed their hands on them, they sent them off.

Vs 13 Luke (the author of Acts) tells us Paul becomes the leader and Mark leaves and goes back to Jerusalem

Why was this an issue worth mentioning?

Acts 13: 2 Paul and Barnabas are set apart for the WORK which God has called them

Work = deed things that occupy our lives.

Acts 14: 26 They completed the work. Vs 27 faith opened up to the gentiles so the work they were to complete was to take the gospel to the gentiles.

Acts 15: 38 Paul and Barnabas argue about taking Mark on their second journey because he deserted them in their work. (taking the gospel to the gentiles)

Why would Paul have a problem with taking Mark with them?

Acts 12: 12 Mark was a resident of Jerusalem and he may have had a problem with gentiles becoming believers. Not only that, Acts 15: 1 says a group of Jewish believers leave Judea and go tot he gentiles trying to get them to become circumcised. Was Mark the instigator in this?

John described the work that we are required by God to do.

John 6: 28, 29 the work of God is to believe on the one he has sent

Believe = have confidence in credit to Trust in the obtaining or doing of something.

We can destroy the work of God by adding our own opinions to what is happening around us (See Romans 14: 20)

God will bring a Jonah experience (God sent a large fish to capture Jonah in his rebellion and bring him back tot he center of the Work of God) into our lives to bring us back to our roots

God brought Mark (A modern Jonah) back on track. He became useful to Paul and his work (See 2 Timothy 4: 11)Mark also wrote the gospel of Mark which was written to the Romans

We can get to a place where we need God to bring a Jonah experience into our own lives like the man who had a demon possessed boy and came to Jesus believing he could heal him. He prayed in Mark 9: 24 Lord I believe help my unbelief.

Colossians 1: 9 – 10 we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the LORD and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God

Key Point: We need God to give us a Jonah experience to keep us on track