Focus

Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.

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Read

Acts 11:19-26 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews.  But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus.  The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord.  News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.  When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord.  Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they met with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called “Christians.”

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Reflect

Growing up I sometimes hear people say, “That apple didn’t fall far from the tree.”  It was said in either a positive or negative sense.  If it was said of someone who was doing good things the phrase meant that the person was like their mom and dad.  They continued doing things that reflected well on the family name.  If the person was doing something bad the phrase is meant to say, this person is just like the rest of their family, they are just no good. They continued doing things that reflected the nature of the family name.

Look at the words that describe the church at Antioch, “Became believers,” “Steadfast devotion,” “it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.”  Evidently, these Antioch believers didn’t fall too far from the tree.  They had a way of life that was identifiable to Jesus Christ.  They were doing things that reflected the nature of the family name.  We are strangers and aliens on this earth and we should have a distinct way of life that others can say, “That apple didn’t fall far from the tree.”

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Pray

Lord, help us to live in such a way that we can be called Christians.  Help us to display Your love and grace to all the people we encounter.

Go with God!