Reading: Acts 11:19-24 NLT
Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews.
However, some of the believyers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.
When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord.
Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord.
Prayer: Lord Jesus – Send your Barnabas-like emissaries throughout the world… people with good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit, and strong in faith… encouragers of your people, and supporters of your Church. And make me one of them… to your benefit and glory. Amen.
Spiritual Song : “Once to every man and nation” – James Russell Lowell, 1845
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Once to every man and nation / Comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth with falsehood, For the good or evil side;
Some great cause, God’s new Messiah, Offering each the bloom or blight,
And the choice goes by for ever / ‘Twixt that darkness and that light.
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Then to side with truth is noble, When we share her wretched crust,
Ere her cause bring fame and profit, And ’tis prosperous to be just;
Then it is the brave man chooses, While the coward stands aside;
Till the multitude make virtue / Of the faith they had denied.
By the light of burning martyrs / Jesus’ bleeding feet I track,
Toiling up new Calvaries ever / With the cross that turns not back;
New occasions teach new duties, Time makes ancient good uncouth;
They must upward still and onward / Who would keep abreast of truth.
Though the cause of evil prosper, Yet ’tis truth alone is strong;
Though her portion be the scaffold, And upon the throne be wrong,
Yet that scaffold sways the future, And, behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God within the shadow / Keeping watch above his own.
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