Focus
Stop and thank God for being present with you today. Ask for God’s guidance as you hear God’s voice through scripture and the writer.
Read
19 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. 20 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. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught
Reflect
Jesus was a gift of God’s grace. He left perfection to be born in dilapidation. When a man, He preached grace, lived grace, spoke grace, promoted grace – God’s grace. This gift was so precious and important that men, and women, were willing to run toward the fire of persecution, rather than be scattered by it. Verse 20 says, “Some of them, however…went to Antioch….” They didn’t know how they would be received, but they went anyway. I don’t know if they knew it, but “The Lord’s hand was with them.” The Lord’s hand is always with you if you are doing the Lord’s work. And that kind of thing gets you noticed. Sometimes it is good to get noticed. The reward is not monetary, nor does one necessarily gain fame by it. The reward for passing on the Gift of Christ is the Peace of Christ – the Prince of Peace. And the Prince of Peace brings eternal peace. Talk to Jesus today. Ask Him for His peace. It’s yours for the asking.
Pray
Holy Father, lay Your hand upon each person reading this. Gently press them forward, toward the place and grace You want them to be. Amen.
Go with God!
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