Good News for Everyone

May 30

(Acts 11:20 NIV) "Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus."

(Romans 1:16-17 NIV) "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. {17} For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith.""

(Romans 10:11-13 NIV) "As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." {12} For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, {13} for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.""

Not everyone scattered by persecution shared the good news. Some shared only with those who were just like them. But others told the gospel to non-Jewish people. They shared the good news with everyone, and many Greeks in Antioch came to faith in Christ. The church opened its doors to those who had previously been excluded, and they came in. We honor God by sharing our faith with everyone around us. Ask the Spirit to free your muted tongue. Tell your story to everyone who will listen. Stop trying to be like everyone else and start being who you’ve been called to be. Stop trying to be liked by everyone and begin loving others enough to tell them the truth. Open your church to those who wouldn’t be welcomed in other places. Share the gospel with those that others consider undesirable. That’s what the castaway Christians did in Antioch. We can do the same. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Sent Out By Force

May 29

(Acts 11:19 NIV) "Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews."

(Acts 8:1-4 NIV) "And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. {2} Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. {3} But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. {4} Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went."

It wasn’t always a mystical missionary spirit that carried the name of Jesus abroad. The seeds of the gospel were often spread by the winds of persecution. But as people fled from the death threats and the beatings, they continued to share the gospel story. What was designed to silence the message of Christ ended up amplifying it to the point that it became un-stoppable. God took what was intended for evil, and used it for good. Sometimes the pain, suffering, and persecution of this life produce the sweetest fruit for the kingdom of God. Trials and troubles often force us out of our comfort zones and into situations where our lights can shine brightly. We can be pushed into doing heroic things that we would not have ordinarily done, and taken to places where the name of Christ has not yet been spoken. Wherever life takes you, share Jesus. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Earning the Title

May 28

(Acts 11:26b NIV) “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”

(Acts 26:28 NIV) ““Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?””

(1 Peter 4:16 NIV) “However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.”

As the news about Jesus spread, more and more Gentiles came to faith. In Antioch, Jesus changed some new believers in such a profound way that their faith became legendary. They impressed folks around them so much that they earned a radical new title. People began to call them Christians. They were so different, so much like Jesus, that they were labeled with His name. A new brand name was born in Antioch. At first, the label was derogatory. It was a slur. Antagonists and persecutors used the name to stereotype and ridicule the church. They were seen as a very weird bunch and looked down upon by the intellectuals of their day. The label stuck, and over time it became something of which to be proud. The name that began as a slur became a badge of honor. It became a title to strive for -- a title earned by wholeheartedly living for Jesus. Go for the title! Live for Jesus. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Thinking Outside the Box

May 27

(Acts 11:7-12 NIV) ““Then I heard a voice telling me, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.' {8} "I replied, 'Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' {9} "The voice spoke from heaven a second time, 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.' {10} This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again. {11} "Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. {12} The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man's house.””

(Isaiah 43:19 NIV) "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

God often calls us to do things that we wouldn’t ordinarily do, in ways we’ve never done it before. This is what happened to Peter. One phrase we use today to express this concept is “thinking outside the box”. In Peter’s vision, the Lord called him to think outside the box. God was doing a new thing! The church would need to greatly expand its box. Today, many churches have a box that everyone is expected to fit into, and woe to the person who thinks outside of that particular box. But many people that Jesus wants to save do not fit in the average church’s box. It must grieve the Holy Spirit that while Jesus is building a mansion in glory, His church seems to be consumed with box- making. And while God’s people strain to maintain their precious little boxes, Jesus comes along and says, “Your boxes are way too small.” In these last days, it’s time to think outside the box. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day