August 30
Bible Reading: Acts 14:24-28
Acts 14:27, “And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them.”
After traveling some 1200 miles, on a journey estimated to have taken some 12-18 months, Paul and Barnabas returned to the church in Antioch from which they had been sent. Traveling by land and sea, over regions of modern-day Turkey and east Asia, they established some 14 new churches. God had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles, and many responded to the gospel message. Upon their return, they gave a report regarding the work “God had done with them.” In effect, they were saying, “look what God has done!”
Nine times I traveled with others to Uganda to serve with Hope and Mercy Mission, assisting the brethren in the region surrounding Kabaale Village. Following every trip, we would report to the church regarding what was accomplished. Reflecting on the work God had done was always encouraging. I would typically cite this passage in our reports, as it includes some important reminders regarding the dynamic between God and the missionary in the work that is done.
Paul and Barnabas were careful to keep their accomplishments in the proper perspective, noting it was not by their own doing, but by God doing through them. They had been sent by the Spirit and were subsequently led, empowered, and sustained by the Spirit each step of the way. The dynamic is the same for every believer. The Apostle Paul put it this way, “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5). It is as Charles Spurgeon once said: “O preacher, if you are about to stand up to see what you can do, it will be your wisdom to sit down speedily. But if you stand up to prove what your almighty Lord and Master can do through you, then infinite possibilities lie around you!”
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory.”—Psalm 115:1
TO GOD BE THE GLORY
To God be the glory, great things he has done!
So loved he the world that he gave us his Son,
who yielded his life an atonement for sin,
and opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Refrain:
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son
and give him the glory, great things he has done!
Great things he has taught us, great things he has done,
and great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son,
but purer and higher and greater will be
our joy and our wonder, when Jesus we see. [Refrain]
LookingtoJesus 