Famine Relief and Mission

Acts 11: 19-30; 12:25-13:3

As our faith deepens, because we spend more time in God’s word and walk in His ways, we feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. The more deeply we pray, praising and thanking our God, our sense that His will is being done within us and around us is validated, which brings us peace. "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done."  We are not going to change the whole world, but as famine spread through the Roman world as was prophesied in Acts 11:28-29,  “The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea." We too can use our gifts and abilities for the care and benefit of others.

Our God is relational. He came to earth to demonstrate for us just how personally important each of us is to him. He came to save us, and offer His grace, mercy, and forgiveness. He has given us the gift of His life in order for us to have the opportunity to live eternally with Him. What do we offer in return?

In Acts 13: “Barnabas and Saul Sent Off,” we are witness to the beginning of the first missionary journey. The teachers and prophets in the church at Antioch heard the message of the Holy Spirit while they were praying and fasting, that Barnabas and Saul should be set apart and sent out. They prayed over them, “placed their hands on them, and sent them off.” This scene is easy for us to envision in our minds for a moment and then release it, because this event was far away, a long time ago, and happened to someone else. Well, guess what…When our feet hit the floor each morning, we are in the mission fields. 

Read/Listen to Acts 11:19-13:3