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Saturday
January 30, 2010
Embodying Hope and Celebrating our Unity in Christ Jesus
Introduction
Acts 11:19-30: The early followers of Christ face persecution, so they go
to other areas, taking the good news about Jesus with them. Saul and
Barnabas go to Antioch and receive a prophecy that there will be a famine.
The followers of Antioch decide to send support and gifts to the followers
in Judea.
Today's Scripture: Acts 11:23When he arrived and saw how God had blessed the people, he was glad and
urged them all to be faithful and true to the Lord with all their hearts.
How is this Scripture passage speaking to me today? Today's Reading
19Some of the believers who were
scattered by the persecution which took place when Stephen was killed went
as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, telling the message to Jews only.
20But other believers, who were from Cyprus and
Cyrene, went to Antioch and proclaimed the message to Gentiles
also, telling them the Good News about the Lord Jesus.
21The Lord's power was with them, and a great
number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
22The news about this reached the church in
Jerusalem, so they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
23When he arrived and saw how God had blessed the
people, he was glad and urged them all to be faithful and true to the Lord
with all their hearts.
24Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit
and faith, and many people were brought to the Lord.
25Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul.
26When he found him, he took him to Antioch, and
for a whole year the two met with the people of the church and taught a
large group. It was at Antioch that the believers were first called
Christians.
27About that time some prophets went from
Jerusalem to Antioch.
28One of them, named Agabus, stood
up and by the power of the Spirit predicted that a severe famine was about
to come over all the earth. (It came when Claudius was emperor.)
29The disciples decided that they each would send
as much as they could to help their fellow believers who lived in Judea.
30They did this, then, and sent the money to the
church elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Reflect
In today's passage, the followers in Antioch receive word of an impending
famine and immediately send help to their fellow believers in Judea. How
does your church respond to news of those in need in other places? Why is
it important that churches help one another?
Pray
God of Relationship, today I lift up churches in need. Empower my church to
serve and share as it is able, and be with my brothers and sisters in
Christ, in other parts of the world, that they may know your grace. Amen.
Prayer Concern
Churches in need
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