2009 – Day 318.Nov 15 – Mission Accomplished

Blogger's Note: My posting today is a bit tardy. Forgive me but I'm fighting off some bug, possibly the flu. Temperature yesterday, PTL under control today. Would covet any prayers for healing. Thanks ... <'BB><

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Passage for Study: Acts 14: 21 – 28 … Acts 14 linked for your study …

My Journal for Today: When one reads and examines the passage for today, you have to be impressed with what Paul and Barnabas accomplished for the glory of God; and, as Swindoll points out today, we should take note of how Luke writes about these accomplishments in this passage.

Paul and Barnabas, after traveling with the Gospel message throughout much of that region in Asia Minor; and then, retraced their missionary steps, they went back to their home base in Antioch, stopping at the various places along the way where they had converts and had planted churches. They stopped long enough, even in places like Lystra, where Paul had been stoned, to solidify the churches which had been established by raising up Elders in each place to carry on the work of the Lord in those places. But in the final accounting, when they returned to Antioch, Luke writes, in Acts 14: 27, that it was God Who had opened the door of faith for the Gentiles who became Christians; and all was done for the glory of God.

And as Swindoll points out, that should be our mission in life as well. As Pastor Chuck writes, ”The work may be ours to do, but the glory belongs to God. The responsibility is ours to embrace, but the credit is the Lord’s alone.” And that was what Paul and Barnabas celebrated when they had come full circle back to Antioch. As Swindoll points out for our edification, “There is to be no embezzling of glory. It all belongs to Him. [And] That attitude never fails to put everything in proper perspective.”

When God convicts us, calls us, and commissions us, we are to move forth, following Him, and not looking back. That was Paul’s message later in Phil. 3: 13 – 14, wasn’t it? Paul (and Barnabas) had received that calling, the one we have received from Acts 1: 8 and Matt. 28: 19-20; and they went forth, as we’re instructed in Luke 9: 23, following the lead of The Lord, and doing whatever it took to WITNESS their FAITH and MAKE DISCIPLES, just as we are charged and commissioned by the passages above.

Paul didn’t think about risk versus reward. He just did what God led him to do; and in the end, as it will be if we follow God’s lead, HE will get all the glory.

My Prayer for Today: Lord, I am called, convicted, and charged to go and make disciples; but when I do anything for You, YOU will get all the glory. Amen