Morning Prayer
Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Inspiration
When Jesus Christ rose from the dead and ascended to Heaven, he commissioned the disciples and sent them out to share his message with the world. In Antioch, Paul and Barnabas taught and preached the Word of the Lord, as well as many others. This shows us that those who believed in the resurrection followed Christ's order to share the good news to the ends of the earth. Who will you share the good news with today? Where is God calling you to teach and preach? Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you.
Prayer
Dear God, we know you have called us to share your good news, but sometimes I am hesitant because I do not feel like I can be a teacher or a preacher. Help me to remember that your disciples were ordinary men who simply chose to follow you and obey your commands. Give me the courage to share your message wherever you send me. Holy Spirit, lead me. Allow me to be your hands and feet on earth and to bring others to know you. In Jesus' name, amen.
Devotion
Abraham is Father of All
Frances Taylor
There are questions in every age about the importance of the Old Testament for Christians. Abraham is considered to be the Father of Faith for Jews, Christians and Muslims. We forget that it was Abraham who believed in the doctrine of only one God. It is through him and his descendants that this tradition comes down to us. Another fact that we can overlook is that Jesus was Jewish. He was born a Jew, lived as a Jew, died, rose and ascended into heaven as a Jew. Because we believe that he was the Messiah, the Christ, and we follow him, we are called Christian. Without the Old Testament, we wouldn't understand the promise of salvation; we wouldn't understand why it was important for Jesus to be of the family of King David. We would not understand his teaching either, because Jesus quoted from Scripture – the Old Testament – frequently. He told us that he came to fulfill the Scriptures, not to abolish them. In the same way, we can ...
