Acts 14:21-28
New International
Version 1984 (NIV1984)
21 They preached the good news in
that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra,
Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them
to remain true to the faith. “We must
go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. 23 Paul
and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 24 After
going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, 25 and when they had preached the word in Perga,
they went down to Attalia.
26 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where
they had been committed to the grace of God for
the work they had now completed. 27 On arriving there, they gathered the church
together and reported all that God had done through them( and
how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And
they stayed there a long time with the disciples.
These men, Paul and
Barnabas were true missionaries, spreading the Gospel to many people in several
cities. Notice though that they did not
just go there, preach, and leave, they went back. Even to the cities where they had been stoned
and run out of town, they returned. Why
would they do this? It is one thing to
believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and yet another to follow Him faithfully
through the good and bad times. Paul and
Barnabas wanted to make sure those who had committed to a life with Christ had
the tools they needed to live a life worthy to that calling.
They appointed elders in
the churches but did not do so without much prayer and fasting. How often do we appoint people in the
churches today just because they are a willing body? Sometimes I think it can be more of a
popularity contest than it is truly seeking the Lord Jesus Christ and sometimes
I think for those who accept the position it boosts their ego. But if you look at the life of service that
Paul and Barnabas gave it was difficult.
They did not really have a place they could call home, they
traveled. Today when we think of travel
we think of cars and airplanes and they had neither. They had their two feet and they could not
hitchhike because no one else had a car to hop in to.
I think of the verse in Isaiah 52:7 (New International
Version 1984 (NIV1984))
7 How beautiful on the
mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”
Today I can sit here in
my comfortable chair with the computer on my lap and write a blog and the words
that God gives me can spread across this entire world. I can then go about my day doing the things
of my life and then lay my head down in my own bed and go to sleep. But, what am I giving up to do so? Maybe a little more sleep in the
morning? Then there is the part of
discipleship. I have a few people who
follow the blog but I only see numbers of those who read the blog so I can only
put faces with a few readers. How can I
truly be a part of the lives of all who read the blog? I can’t and that is why the Lord wants us to
put feet to our witnessing. He wants us
to get out there and touch the lives of those who may not know Him, who have
not been heard of the love of Christ, who are down and out and in an addiction
they can’t seem to kick, and those who need to know how to grow in Christ. How am I doing in that area?
As you seek Him today, be
sure that you are doing and going where you are called. Spread the love of Christ and bring the Good
News of His salvation to anyone who has ears then together with the Lord’s guidance
and strength grow in Him. Are your feet
beautiful in the sight of God?
Seeking Him with all my
heart,
Sheila
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