First "Christians" - Acts 11:19-26

Have you ever had a good news/bad news day?  The lesson in Acts 11 seems like one of those times.  First we learn that Christians are being persecuted and forced to go into hiding or run away.  We all know that God can take something bad and use it for good; for His glory.  Because Christians fled to other Cities and countries, the Gospel spread more quickly.

"Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord." (Acts 11:19-21)

Have you suffered or struggled with life and found yourself reaching out to God?  A few years after moving across county I found myself feeling alone.  I felt if something didn't change, if I couldn't find happiness I didn't know where my hopelessness would lead.  I attended a church for the first time in ten years and then the following Sunday my husband came with me; the rest is history.  God moved my family far from home and then used my desperation to open my eyes to what was missing.  Our family became Christian.

"The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch." (Acts 11:26b)

Read the Acts 11:19-26 text here.    Listen to the Word here.

Light to the Nations - Isaiah 49:1-7

“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
   to restore the tribes of Jacob
   and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
   that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

I have a song playing in my head right now, "Light of the world you stepped out into darkness...," from a CD I have by Phillips, Craig and Dean.  When I sing this beautiful praise song in a worship service it seems like everything is clear to me.  While voicing the words of praise to God, who sent His Son as Light for this dark world; hearing all the faithful who are standing with me singing the same words, I feel like all is right with the world.

Some days seem very dark and every step a struggle to keep on the right path, not veering off into danger.  But, knowing God sent his Son for me, for you, sheds light on the day; the circumstances.  This scripture is all about Jesus reaching out in mission for the lost of this world.  We, too, are called to reach out in mission - to be light in a dark world for someone who has lost their way.  It sounds so simple, yet it took God and His son to bring this light.

“Kings will see you and stand up,
   princes will see and bow down,
because of the LORD, who is faithful,
   the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”

Read the Isaiah 49:1-7 text here.