Weekend Words

 From Our Daily Bread...

The Winning Goal - Read Acts 11:19-30

"A great number of people were brought to the Lord." (Acts 11:24)

On February 5, 2023, Christian Atsu kicked the winning goal for his football (soccer) team in a match in Turkey.  A star international player, he learned to play the sport as a kid running barefoot in his home country of Ghana.  Christian was a believer in Christ: " Jesus is the best thing that ever happened in my life," he said.  Atsu posted Bible verses on social media, was outspoken about his faith, and put it into action by helping finance a school for orphans.

The day after his winning goal, a devastating earthquake shook the city of Antakya, once the biblical city of Antioch.  Christian Atsu's apartment building collapsed, and he went to be with his Saviour.

Two thousand years ago, Antioch was the fountainhead of the early church: "the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch" (Acts 11:26).  One apostle, Barnabas, said to be "a good man, full of the Holy Spirit" (v. 24), was instrumental in bringing people to Christ: ' a great number of people were brought to the Lord" (v. 24).

We look at the life of Christian Atsu not to idolize him but to see in his example an opportunity.  Whatever our circumstances in life, we don't know when God will take us to be with him.  We do well to ask ourselves how we can be a Barnabas or a Christian Atsu in showing others the love of Christ.  That, above all, is the winning goal. 

- Kenneth Petersen

From Be Still and Know...

"But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry" (2 Timothy 4:5).  

As Paul's life was coming to a close, he encouraged Timothy to continue on in the ministry of serving Jesus Christ.  "For yourself, keep your mind sane and balanced, meeting whatever suffering this may involve.  Go on steadily preaching the gospel and carry out to the full the commission that God gave you" (2 Timothy 4:5, Phillips).

Paul outlined some guidelines for Timothy in fulfilling his ministry.  These same principles can be directives for us as we serve as "workers together with God."

First, we are to "stand fast".  We are to be stable, not to be swayed by people, opinions, ideas, or feelings.  "Be calm and cool and steady" (2 Timothy 4:5, Amplified).

Then we are to "do the work of an evangelist."  Every person without Christ is a mission field.  This gives us a large field in which to serve.

Lastly, we are to "fully perform all the duties of your ministry" (Amplified).  We may feel insignificant and unimportant; we may think others better qualified; but God has a place for us to serve and He enables us to fulfill it.

It is easy to become weary and discouraged.  We may want to quit.  But God's Word says we are to "be instant in season, out of season" (v.2).  In Galatians 6:9 we are reminded, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

God's workers come and go but His work continues throughout the centuries.  The plan and purpose of God will continue until the return of Jesus Christ.

May each of us "make full proof of the ministry," so that when we stand before Him, we will hear his "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21).

From In Green Pastures...

Pass On Your Blessing.

God does not like to bestow his blessings where they will be hoarded, but he loves to put them into the hands of those who will do the most with them to bless their fellows.  The central object of true living is to be helpful to others.  Lay every gift at the Master's feet, and then, when it has been blessed by him, carry it out to bless others.  Bring your barley loaves to Christ, and then, with the spell of his touch upon them, you may feed hungry thousands with them.