Daily Devotions - Missionaries In Our Own Town

Acts 18:1-17 (NIV)
In Corinth
18 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6 But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8 Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized. 9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God. 12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. 13 “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.” 14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. 15 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” 16 So he drove them off. 17 Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.

 

What missions or missionaries have you financially supported? What did they mean to you?

 

Precious Father, You commanded us to go make disciples of all nations.  Thank You for the men and women who are willing to do that. They put their very lives in danger to share Your message to those who have not heard. I remember being touched by a couple who were leaving to be missionaries in Asia. They were a young and vibrant couple with their whole future attend of them. Instead of following the path of society, they sold everything they had and lived in a small college community with few possessions. Their passion to share the gospel was inspiring. The risks they were taking with their lives in an area hostile to You moved us to support them monthly and we continue to do so multiple years later. I am so impressed by their courage and their commitment to Your gospel. I lament that I am not as strong. But then I look around me and see evil lurking in every corner of society. People right here in Washington County and all over this country don't know You. Churches are failing and Christians are afraid to speak up out of fear of persecution. You told Paul to not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent for You were with him. I believe You are telling me to do the same. Lord, help me have the courage to be a missionary right here where I live. Help me to have the passion to stand up and keep speaking about Your grace, forgiveness, and mercy and let me not be afraid because You are with me. Help me to demonstrate Your love through my words and actions. Let me be a living example of Your Bible and use me to bring others close to you. Amen