November 12th~Your Mission Field

Acts 12:6-14:20

After his conversion, Paul wound up living in Antioch, the place where the followers of God were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). It would not be long until God called Paul and his friend Barnabas to travel to nearby cities and share the Gospel. This trip became known as the first of Paul’s three missionary journeys.

The two men were joined by John Mark, and the three of them sailed to the island of Cyprus, then to the Roman province known as Galatia. John Mark left them at Perga and returned to Jerusalem. Paul’s strategy was simple. He and Barnabas went to the synagogues where the Jews met and worshiped, and there they would ask to speak. Paul would remind the Jews of the stories of ages past, but then he would tell them that their fulfillment was completed in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, the Promised Messiah. While some listened and believed, most Jews rejected the news.

Almost immediately, Paul and Barnabas ran into resistance to the Gospel. For example, when they reached Paphos, they met a Jewish sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus. He interfered and told people to pay no attention to Paul and Barnabas. Paul confronted Bar-Jesus, saying, “You son of the devil, full of every trickery and villainy, enemy of all that is good, will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord?” (13:6-10).

In every town in Galatia, there were religious leaders who stirred up the crowds against Paul and Barnabas, often running them out of town and even attempting to kill them. They were jealous of Paul and so they slandered him and argued against everything he said. Remember, when Paul was converted, the Lord said, “I will show him (Paul) how much he must suffer for Me” (Acts 9:16). Those words were coming true.

Daily Reflection

Like Paul, God has work for you to do and that work is to share the Gospel with those who will listen. While you may not feel called to travel to distant lands, you are called to bear witness to what Jesus has done to free you from sin.

Where is your mission field? Who are the people with whom you are sharing Christ?

In sharing the Gospel, you should expect two responses. There will be some who will listen and believe, but there will be many who will reject the news. Satan will do what he can to distract and discourage people from hearing the Gospel.

Why does Satan hate the Gospel so much?

What are some ways that the enemy will distract and discourage you from sharing Christ?

Don’t be guilty of focusing on your own work and neglecting the Lord’s.

BiAY.org | Day 316 — 49 Days to Go