June 27
Bible Reading: Acts 5:23-31
Acts 5:28, “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching…”
One of the most rewarding things in my life has been my visits to Uganda, working with Hope and Mercy Mission to assist our fellow believers over there. I can still recall that first trip; not knowing what to expect, I was both nervous and filled with anticipation. But our friends there were so wonderfully grateful for help, as they have many physical and spiritual needs. As a member of the mission team, my role was to work with my uncle, Pastor Bob, to assist in the training of pastors. These village pastors had hearts to learn, but lacked the necessary training and resources. So, we worked to form pastor alliances so we could provide Bibles and other help and to facilitate Bible Conferences.
We held a Bible conference on that first visit that was attended by about 25 pastors. I can’t remember the theme, but we provided some Bible teaching and then spent some time answering questions. We also visited some pastors in their churches and worked to form a second pastor’s alliance in a neighboring area. I made eight subsequent trips, the geographic reach of the mission expanding on every occasion. What began as a call by God for Pastor Bob and Paul Mwesigwa to assist a relatively small group of pastors has since expanded to include over 300 churches in one region of Uganda. What began as a work of providing Bibles and Bible teaching in conferences, worked eventually to establish an ongoing Bible school in which pastors are well-equipped to shepherd and lead their village churches. Four well-qualified Ugandan men lead that effort, and they’ve graduated nearly 100 pastors so far. In a sense, God worked to fill that region with the teaching of the Word!
I remember walking once with my uncle Bob down a trail near to the guest house. He took me to a place which overlooked some adjacent hills and valleys and told me of how he had spent time at a particular spot, asking God that He might work to open doors so that we might assist those pastors too. And I remember another occasion, in a visit to a local pastor, who told us of how he and his friends had prayed without ceasing that God would bring them help—as they needed better training and resources. He was overflowing with gratitude to God for answering their prayers! Pastor Bob was praying. And those local pastors were praying. And God responded!
God did a great work in filling Jerusalem with the teaching of the Word. It was His work. He privileged the Apostles to be a part of it, but it was the Spirit of God who was leading the way. And it was as the people prayed. You’ve got your own mission field. There are people in your sphere of influence who need the Lord! It all starts with prayer.
“Brother, if you would enter that Province, you must go forward on your knees.”—Hudson Taylor
MACEDONIA
The vision of a dying world is vast before our eyes;
We feel the heartbeat of its need, we hear its feeble cries:
Lord Jesus Christ, revive Your Church in this, her crucial hour!
Lord Jesus Christ, awake Your Church with Spirit given power.
The savage hugs a god of stone and fears descent of night;
The city dweller cringes lone amid the garish light:
Lord Jesus Christ, arouse Your Church to see their mute distress!
Lord Jesus Christ, equip Your Church with love and tenderness.
Today, as understanding’s bounds are stretched on every hand,
O clothe Your Word in bright new sounds, and speed it o’er the land;
Lord Jesus Christ, empower us to preach by every means!
Lord Jesus Christ, embolden us in near and distant scenes.
The warning bell of judgment tolls, above us looms the cross;
Around are ever-dying souls – how great, the loss!
O Lord, constrain and move Your Church the glad news to impart!
And Lord, as now You stir Your Church, begin within my heart.
LookingtoJesus 