Words of Encouragement

Acts 13
After the usual readings from the books of Moses and the prophets,
those in charge of the swrvice sent them this message:"Brothers, if
you have any word of encouragement for the people, come and give it."
Acts 13:15  NLT


LET IT GLOW

There is a sweet lady at our church who always gives me either words of
encouragement or a bear hug. She is around the age of what my own mother
would have been if she were alive, so she is such a special lady to me. Every
Sunday either she looks for me or I look for her. Sometimes we don't exchange
words, just a hug is enough to keep me going all week. Do you have someone
like her? I hope so. Everyone needs an encourager.

With the invitation to speak for Jesus, Paul gives a long message of historical
background of  the Jewish faith and Jesus' coming as the Messiah.
In verses 38-39, Paul said,"Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren,
that through this man (meaning Jesus) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not
be justified by the law of Moses."

What was the response? Verse 48 says,"And when the Gentiles heard this,
they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord; and as many as were
ordained to eternal life believed."

Yes, the Word of God does not return void, but it achieves what Its purpose is.
May Your Words, Lord be a blessing to others today.


LET IT GROW

Background:
In chapters 12-19 of Acts, we are in the period of the Gentile evangelism and
the establishment of the Gentile churches. The rest of the Book of Acts tell the
story of one group of missionaries, which enabled the early church to reach their
world for Christ.        (from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Handbook)

Jerry Falwell's Liberty Bible Commentary informs us:

Paul, Barnabas, and Mark were sent out by the church of Antioch as
missionaries into Asia. Scriptures tell us the cities where they shared the
Gospel:
Island of Cyprus-cities of Seleucia, Salames, Paphos
Region of Pisidia-cities of Pamphylia.


Mark returned back to Jerusalem , but Paul and Barnabas continued on to
Perga and Antioch in Pisidia, where Paul preached the message discussed
above. Even though Gentiles became believers in Jesus, the Jews stirred up
people and persecuted the two missionaries. Verse 51 says Paul and
Barnabas were expelled from the city. From there the two went joyfully
and filled with the Holy Ghost to the city of Iconium.

As I think about all of this, I realize the goodness of God to share Jesus with
us Gentiles. Also, the sacrifice and willingness of Paul and Barnabas as they
traveled and endured hardships so people would hear about Jesus. That
means to us that the Gospel was handed down through generations to us in our
present time. So we are obligated to pass the Word and love of Jesus onto our
world. We can be missionaries in our own neighborhood and city or around
the world.


LET IT GO

Be an encouragement to other believers.

Share Jesus' love and Word of salvation as a missionary in my world far and
near.