Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It
“Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia " – Galatians 1:21
We take travel for granted in today’s world of fast paced and seemingly endless desire to see the world. I travel quite frequently for business and with my family for vacations and weekend getaways. Stepping onto a plane to fly away for customer meetings, or supplier meetings has become commonplace in mine and my family’s life. Yet, I must ask myself as I walk through airports, hotel lobbies and down the streets of cities all over the globe, what would God have me to do for these people. Only recently have I taken seriously the opportunity God has given me to bring His “good news” to a larger audience. I now make a point of walking a lot while I am in other cities and praying for the people there. Praying that God stir a revival in them, that they become filled with the Holy Spirit and that they recognize Jesus Christ as the savior of the world.
In the biblical days of Paul, Peter and the disciples their mission was to take the “good news” to the world. There were no planes, trains or buses to hop on though, they were left to use what God had given them. They walked, rode camels or horses from town to town. After spending time with the disciples in Jerusalem Paul was taken to Caesarea, because his life was being threatened by the Jewish leaders of the time. Just as Paul (Saul) had persecuted the disciples and believers of Jesus Christ, he had become the hunted. His prolific passion for spreading God’s word to every man, woman and child was upsetting the powers of control in the Jewish and in the Roman world of that day.
Paul, left Caesarea and started his missionary work on his travels back to his homeland of Tarsus. Along that route he would go through Syria and Cilicia and take the time to engage the local people there in a convicting manner. Sharing with them his testimony and the love and grace of Jesus Christ everywhere he went. He started up churches in these areas, sustained by fellowship with other believers. Paul would continue to check back with these churches throughout his life of ministry, to ensure that they continued in righteousness and growing in the Lord.
Paul sets an example for all of us to consider as followers of Jesus Christ. Everywhere Paul went he was excited and unashamed to launch into a discussion of salvation and grace. Most of us tend to focus on our small circle of influence and less on the global picture. The world’s population today is exponentially larger than in the biblical days, and many use this as an excuse to “let someone else do it”. I challenge that thinking though and ask myself constantly how can we expand our reach for the Lord. It’s time to step out in faith and with the conviction of Paul, proudly proclaim the salvation of Jesus Christ to the world. There are over 6.5 billion people in the world. Over 2 billion claim to be Christian, of which some estimates say only 25 – 30% are truly living for Jesus Christ, while the other 70% acknowledge Jesus Christ as God’s Son, but don’t necessarily follow the principles of His teaching. Ask yourself this one question as you embark on your journey today: “If Paul were here with us today, what would he be doing to reach the other 4.5 billion people of the world?” If not you, than who is going to stand up for Jesus Christ in today’s world?
In the biblical days of Paul, Peter and the disciples their mission was to take the “good news” to the world. There were no planes, trains or buses to hop on though, they were left to use what God had given them. They walked, rode camels or horses from town to town. After spending time with the disciples in Jerusalem Paul was taken to Caesarea, because his life was being threatened by the Jewish leaders of the time. Just as Paul (Saul) had persecuted the disciples and believers of Jesus Christ, he had become the hunted. His prolific passion for spreading God’s word to every man, woman and child was upsetting the powers of control in the Jewish and in the Roman world of that day.
Paul, left Caesarea and started his missionary work on his travels back to his homeland of Tarsus. Along that route he would go through Syria and Cilicia and take the time to engage the local people there in a convicting manner. Sharing with them his testimony and the love and grace of Jesus Christ everywhere he went. He started up churches in these areas, sustained by fellowship with other believers. Paul would continue to check back with these churches throughout his life of ministry, to ensure that they continued in righteousness and growing in the Lord.
Paul sets an example for all of us to consider as followers of Jesus Christ. Everywhere Paul went he was excited and unashamed to launch into a discussion of salvation and grace. Most of us tend to focus on our small circle of influence and less on the global picture. The world’s population today is exponentially larger than in the biblical days, and many use this as an excuse to “let someone else do it”. I challenge that thinking though and ask myself constantly how can we expand our reach for the Lord. It’s time to step out in faith and with the conviction of Paul, proudly proclaim the salvation of Jesus Christ to the world. There are over 6.5 billion people in the world. Over 2 billion claim to be Christian, of which some estimates say only 25 – 30% are truly living for Jesus Christ, while the other 70% acknowledge Jesus Christ as God’s Son, but don’t necessarily follow the principles of His teaching. Ask yourself this one question as you embark on your journey today: “If Paul were here with us today, what would he be doing to reach the other 4.5 billion people of the world?” If not you, than who is going to stand up for Jesus Christ in today’s world?
Prayer:
Almighty God,
The world is Yours and all that is in it. There are men, women and children all over this planet that have denied Your Son, and have chosen another path in life. Help us to be Your feet to take the message to the masses just as Paul, Barnabas, John, Peter and the other apostles did in the early church. We trust You to put the opportunities in front of us to share Your message unashamedly. We seek to reach the unrighteous in a way that will bring glory to You, put Your words on our tongues and let us be filled with the passion, desire and fire of Paul to reach the world. In Your name we pray - Amen
Almighty God,
The world is Yours and all that is in it. There are men, women and children all over this planet that have denied Your Son, and have chosen another path in life. Help us to be Your feet to take the message to the masses just as Paul, Barnabas, John, Peter and the other apostles did in the early church. We trust You to put the opportunities in front of us to share Your message unashamedly. We seek to reach the unrighteous in a way that will bring glory to You, put Your words on our tongues and let us be filled with the passion, desire and fire of Paul to reach the world. In Your name we pray - Amen
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