While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
The early church wasted no time in starting up their missions work. They recognized the need to grow their numbers, to tell everyone they could of the love and salvation offered to all because of the life and death of Jesus.
The members of the new church, followers of Jesus knew to pray and fast then they sought direction and the Holy Spirit responded. He 'set apart' Barnabas and Paul for His work; thus, Paul's first missionary journey began. Have you ever been on a missionary journey? Do you know that your missionary journey could simply be a walk across the street?
It may not seem as romantic or exciting as buying passage on a ship and traveling to distant lands to spread the Good News of Jesus, but it is just as important. There are lost people everywhere we turn. We only have to watch the evening news, or listen to the morning radio report on our way to work to learn of all the injustice and pain in the world. Do you think if all those around us knew of Jesus and followed His way, the news broadcasts would be the same?
There would be much more hope-filled reporting. There would be incidences of the rich helping the poor, of orphans being embraced by the community, and the drug of choice would be milk of human kindness. I know, this sounds like a fairy tale, but this is how it was in the Garden. This is how it will be again one day.
Randy Frazee, in the video lesson from last week's chapter in The Story told us that Jesus' death and resurrection was the beginning of the Restoration of the Garden. We can play a part in that scene.
Read Acts 13:1-12
Listen to Acts 12:1-12
No comments:
Post a Comment