3 JUL 23 Monday: A Closer Walk Devotional
“A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem: and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.” Acts 8:1
At the beginning of Acts chapter one verse eight the Lord charged his followers to the task of world mission by being empowered witnesses of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The scope was the world which includes the nations of the world. It was and is a big mission to accomplish through ordinary people. The Lord has given us a powerful, unchanging message, and the Holy Spirit in order to change the lives of all that receive Him.
In order to reach the nations, you actually have to go to them. We cannot just wait around and expect them to show up on our doorstep unless our focus is on Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Solar Power salesmen, and political activists. They need the true life-saving Gospel for sure! There are more people who have never heard the good news once that are not in your city but are in a town in another country.
When we don’t move, God may create an issue that moves to where he expects us to be. The believers in Acts didn’t yet obey Acts 1:8, so they got Acts 8:1. They were ultimately scattered by persecution into the very places that Jesus “commanded” them to go. Think about that. We are often busy on our own mission pursuing the American Dream, materialism, and pleasure, and ignoring Jesus’ Mission.
How long will the church remain rebellious and disobedient to the commands of Jesus?! Will the church wait until persecution comes to start living for Him and not themselves? What are you waiting for?
Reading Plan: Psalm 106:1-18; 1 Sam. 10:17-27; Acts 7:44-8:1; Luke. 22:52-62
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