February 19, 2020
Acts 14:21-22
They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
New International Version (NIV)
Eugene Peterson described discipleship as a “long obedience.”  Has that been your experience?  The moment we say “yes” to God, like the children in Chronicles of Narnia, we walk through a wardrobe into a whole new world of experiences.  Some of them are undeniably delightful and some are indescribably difficult.

When Paul and Barnabas said yes to God they started a mission trip that lasted the rest of their lives.  Paul might be surprised to hear that he went on first, second and third missionary journeys.  They were all of the same piece of cloth called obedience. 

When they healed a man in Lystra,  the crowd identified them as gods in human form.  Barnabas and Paul tore their clothes and told the people not to worship them as idols but to believe the good news of Jesus.  From being worshiped, Paul very shortly went to the other end of the spectrum, being wounded by others who stoned him nearly to death. 

Nevertheless, Paul and Barnabas preached again, returning to their previous stops to encourage and strengthen the new believers.  As I understand it, with the bruises and scratches of stones on his head and arms, Paul said, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”  He was a credible witness!

On our own life-long missionary journey, we serve Christ in continuity with Barnabas and Saul.  The Holy Spirit who lived in them here on this earth also lives in us.  Today, someone may gladly receive your message of Jesus.  Another may mistreat us severely and unfairly.  No matter.  Jesus is King.  He invites us to enter his kingdom.  When we live our lives today under his righteous reign, we are part of the Kingdom.  The unstoppable future has already begun for us.  We have said “yes” to God.  Of course, we don’t know what will happen.  But we know the King and he is for us, come what may.  If God is for us, who can be against us?
Pray with me:       
King Jesus, Lord of life, life-giving Savior we come to you.  Where else can we go?  In the land of the dying, you alone speak words of life.  Let us hear you today above the clamor.  Speak your life into us so that we may become life-giving followers of the Lord of life.  Thank you for leading us on this journey and never leaving us along the way.  We pray in the name of the only one who was crucified and rose from the grave.  Amen.  
Join us in memorizing the Word.  Scripture for this week:    
Matthew 5:15-16
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan.  Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG 
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week.  In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year.  Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.  
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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