Until the Whole World Hears

Yesterday Paul shared an inspiring story about his friend Tammy. Tammy has a heart for the lost and I love how creative she will get to reach just one person with the message of Jesus. This week we have been reading a lot about the Apostle Paul, who also did whatever it took to reach the lost for Jesus.

These past weeks have shown us how fragile life is. We have witnessed consuming fires blaze across the west, earthquakes in Mexico, hurricanes, and violence in Las Vegas. So many lives lost and I can't help wondering how many never knew the saving love of Christ. 

As inspiring as Paul is, we don't have to be a missionary across the globe to tell people about Jesus. We can do it right where we are.

My son just recently joined Taekwondo and I have met several of the parents watching their child. Evan asked me the other night if I talk to the parents because I am looking for a friend for him to meet. He still does not have any friends since we moved this past June. I kinda felt bad, but I had to answer him honestly and say, "no."  I hadn't even thought of it. I explained to him that I am meeting people so that I can start a conversation about our church and invite them to come and check us out.

Luckily Evan was happy with my answer. He said that that was more important because there are so many people who don't know Jesus.

In our passage today we learn that Paul, "witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe."

Some were convinced, others would not believe.  It is not our job to convince everyone, but there are so many people who do not know Jesus and it is our job to tell them about him. Whether you are a global missionary or a soccer mom, we don't know what tomorrow will bring let's not waste another moment.

Read today entire passage here Acts 28: 23-30

Riches Galore

Acts 20:2-4

The Message (MSG)

20 Then he came to Greece and stayed on for three months. Just as he was about to sail for Syria, the Jews cooked up a plot against him. So he went the other way, by land back through Macedonia, and gave them the slip. His companions for the journey were Sopater, son of Pyrrhus, from Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus, both Thessalonians; Gaius from Derbe; Timothy; and the two from western Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

As a missionary, Paul had to be on his "A" game all the time, alert for any signs of danger.  He walked closely with the Holy Spirit and on more than one occasion was prompted to take a different route or plan for different stops. Paul knew he was responsible for others on this trip, his companions were representatives of churches Paul had started in Asia.

We know that these ambassadors from their home churches were bringing gifts for the new believers and they wanted to hand deliver them. Having each man deliver the gift gave the gifts a personal touch and strengthened the unity of the believers. This was also an effective way to teach the church about giving.

One of the ways many of us participate in missions is by giving, either financially or with our prayers or other tangible offerings. But, when there is an opportunity to go personally and experience the joy of face to face encounters with people of other nations, we must do it.  The experience will change you forever.

I know, having been a part of five trips to Honduras, each one different and amazing in its own way.  I can remember so much of those trips.  I can see the children and the elderly.  The beautiful smiles and the heartbreaking poverty. It am stunned to this day when I remember how poor the folks are for material things, but how rich they are in Spirit.

What a lesson to learn and bring back home with me - you are only as poor as your attitude.

Acts 20:1-5