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Daily eMail Devotional
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Acts 14:21-28 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:
And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.
And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
And there they abode long time with the disciples.
We are now approaching the end of March, which means that our “Missions” theme for the month is ending. However, I would like to remind everyone the “Missions” in every sense of the word does not end. We as Christians are commanded to carry on the great commission. Matthew 28:19, 20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
This is only the beginning we should now be ready to apply the knowledge that we learned throughout this month regarding mission. Like Paul, our pastor has done an excellent job in admonishing and encouraging us, now it is our turn to GO; are you ready? If you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ in your heart, you have an obligation to GO and share the gospel but if you do not have the Lord in your heart, you are considered as a mission field and therefore have the need to have Jesus in your life. Are you a missionary or a mission field? If you are a mission field, now is the time to open the door of your heart and invite the Lord Jesus to come into your life. Grab this opportunity while you still can, tomorrow may be too late. Revelations 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
If you are a Christian, today is your opportunity to share your faith to others. The above verses that we read showed the Paul & Barnabas demonstrated their commitment to the great commission by continuing their work notwithstanding the oppositions they met. They were stoned, persecuted and despised yet they went back to Antioch, Lystra Iconium. Why, because they love the Lord, they love the believers, they wanted them to grow in their faith. They wanted to develop leaders to continue the work. As 2 Corinthians 4: 8-10 says, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” Pain and suffering did not hinder them and they were not ashamed either because they knew that they serve the Living and true God. 2 Timothy 1:12 “For the which cause I suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.”
How about you, nobody will stone you on this present time, the most that people could probably do is to laugh at you, yet why are you so hesitant to GO? Perhaps you could start by inviting the new believers into your home for Easter Sunday. Invite them for a meal. We have seen so many professions of faith and have gotten new comers in our church this month, nurture their newfound faith by encouraging them to continue. Furthermore, there are members in the church, who will go to the Philippines next month, you can support them through prayers or you could fill up your powerade bottles to give to mission. Have you submitted your commitment cards? If not do it today. There are so many opportunities brethren, get out of your comfort zone and do something for missions. Hawaii is known as the melting pot of the Pacific you do not need to go to Asia or Africa, just be aware of the people around you; people who need the Lord. Lastly, let us give our best to support our pastor, our missionaries. Let us grab every opportunity to serve and glorify God through missions.
God Bless!
Pastor Andy
Don't Forget -
