October 1
Bible Reading: Acts 19:8-10
Acts 19:9, “But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation.”
My dear Ugandan friend, Pastor Henry, serves as pastor of People of the Way Church. I preached in his church on several occasions. The building was austere, having a dirt floor and open doors and windows, but the people inside were beautiful, in their warm fellowship and heart-felt worship. The people of the People of the Way church are people of The Way, as are all who follow Jesus.
In the book of Acts, “The Way” is a term used repeatedly to refer to believers (Acts 9:2, 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22). The Bible frequently employs such terminology. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left (Isaiah 30:21).” Jesus likewise spoke of a broad way leading to destruction and a narrow way leading to life (Matthew 7:13-14). He designated Himself to be the only way unto the Father (John 14:6). We are people of the way because we follow in the steps of Jesus along a path that He established and prescribed, that had led to salvation, and then onto all the blessings associated with walking with Him.
J. C. Philpot has commented on this, “Every part of the way was devised and is executed by the love of his tender heart… But we are continually turning aside ‘to the right hand’ or ‘to the left.’ There is that cowardice in the heart which cannot bear the cross; there is that slipping into carnal ease and fleshly security, so as to get away from under the painful cross of affliction and suffering. But when we thus turn aside ‘to the right hand’ or ‘to the left,’ the voice the Lord sends after us is, ‘This is the way’–the way of affliction; no other; the way of tribulation, the way of trial, the way of exercise. This is the way in which the King walked of old; and this is the way in which all his people have walked before him and after him; for this is the only path in which the footsteps of the flock can be found.”
People of The Way follow in the footsteps of Jesus (1 Peter 2:21).
LIVING FOR JESUS
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all. [Refrain]
Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross. [Refrain]
Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him. [Refrain]
LookingtoJesus 