Verse of the Day 7/2

Through the Bible - Job 26-27, Acts 12

 

Good morning,

If you've been following politics or have at least watched the news over the past year or so I'm sure that you've heard of the "Tea Party" movement.  You've probably also heard the term "tea baggers", a term of derision used by the opposing side.  I bring this up only to lead into today's verse which comes from yesterday's reading in Acts 11.

 

Acts 11:25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.   NKJV

Christ followers were first called Christians in Antioch.  The word means "little Christs".  John MacArthur notes that in Antioch it was actually a term of derision meaning "the party of Christ".

 

It seems that more and more in today's society that the term "Christian" is used the same way.  Like the Christians in Anitoch and Paul, Silas, and Barnabas were displaying in their lives what it is to be a Christian.  The accepted the label and wore the badge so to speak.   They were not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.

 

What does a modern Christian look like?  I read the following in today's "Daily Bread".

 

Just what do Christians look like?

What sets their lives apart?

They're ordinary people

Who love God from the heart.  D. DeHaan

 

May that describe our lives, and may we love God from the heart.

 

Psalm 68:28 - (Amplified Bible)  Your God has commanded your strength [your might in His service and impenetrable hardness to temptation]; O God, display Your might and strengthen what You have wrought for us!

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Acts 11:19-27

 

Barnabas and Saul at Antioch

 

19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

 

22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

 

25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.   NKJV