August 19
Bible Reading: Acts 13:1-3
Acts 13:2-3, “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”
Lilias Trotter was born into a wealthy English family in 1853. A talented painter, she once met with John Ruskin, a renowned Victorian art critic, who believed she could become a world-famous artist. In 1874, she attended a convention that emphasized the importance of the daily application of Scripture to one’s life. Through prayer, she felt compelled to abandon her promising artistic career and the comforts of England for a life of missionary service.
In 1888, Lilias landed in North Africa with two of her friends. With no missionary agency to support them and no missionary training to lead them, they immediately began studying the Arabic language, intending to share the gospel as widely as they could for as long as they could. For the next forty years, amidst many difficulties, Lilias poured out her life in making the gospel known. Her journals speak of her daily experiences of desperate dependence on the divine resources availed to her by the Holy Spirit. She was Spirit-sent, and it was the Spirit who sustained and prospered her ministry.
The church in Antioch had no experience in sending off missionaries, no missionary committee, and no missionary plan to guide their efforts when they sent off Barnabas and Saul. It was an unprecedented venture, and none could have foreseen what lay ahead. But they had a call by the Holy Spirit to send Barnabas and Saul. And they had the abiding presence of the Spirit of God to lead and empower them.
They would travel over 1200 miles on a journey that is estimated to have taken 12-18 months. In venturing to Cyprus, modern day Turkey, and east Asia, they worked to establish some 14 churches. Though confronted by ongoing opposition and many tough challenges, the Spirit used them to lead thousands to a saving knowledge of Jesus. The Spirit prospered their efforts, and upon their return, they gave glory to God for “the work God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles” (Acts 14:27). The same Spirit that led Lilias and led Barnabas and Saul indwells every believer in Christ. It is amazing to behold what He can do when we live our lives in desperate dependence upon Him!
The story of missions is about how the Spirit called and led and empowered ordinary folks to do extraordinary things!
JESUS CALLS US
Jesus calls us o’er the tumult
of our life’s wild, restless sea;
day by day His sweet voice soundeth,
saying, “Christian, follow me.”
Jesus calls us from the worship
of the vain world’s golden store,
from each idol that would keep us,
saying, “Christian, love me more.”
In our joys and in our sorrows,
days of toil and hours of ease,
still He calls, in cares and pleasures,
“Christian, love me more than these.”
Jesus calls us- by Thy mercies,
Savior, may we hear Thy call;
give our hearts to Thine obedience,
serve and love Thee best of all.
LookingtoJesus 