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Acts Reading Plan | Week 9 | Day 4
Prayer
Psalm 33:4 says, “For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.” Thank God as you come before Him today, that even though you may not understand all He does, you know that He is always faithful and true.
Bible Reading: Acts 11:19-30
Read these verses three times slowly.
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.
News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 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. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples,as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Reflection & Questions
The spread of the gospel is really gathering pace now. Remember in Acts 1:8, Jesus told the apostles, “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” This is happening! Jews and Gentiles alike are coming to Christ and the gospel is spreading across the known world. It says in today’s reading as we’ve read again and again in Acts, “a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.”
At the same time, the Apostles are sending missionaries out, to preach the gospel and encourage believers. People like Barnabus. Luke tells us in this reading that Barnabus carried a message to believers “to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.” Barnabas might have said these words 2,000 years ago, but they might be the words you need to hear today. Where are you tempted to give in and not remain true to the Lord? Where are you going through the motions in your life and not giving the Lord your whole heart? Barnabas encourages you – the Spirit says to you today: Remain true to the Lord with all your heart!
- Where are you tempted to give in and not remain true to the Lord?
- Where are you going through the motions in your life and not giving the Lord your whole heart?
Prayer
Talk to God in response to the reading today.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
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Questions?
Ed Applegate
