Tag: missions

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 28

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Of all the things Paul had to endure in His ministry add “snake bite” to the list. The terrible storm, shipwreck, stranded on an island, cold and rain, and near drowning were only recent experiences for Paul! As for the snake bite no harm came to Paul. God performed a miracle! God’s power is on display in every circumstance of our life. Nothing can happen to us that isn’t first of all sifted through the sovereign will of God. When we face difficulties it is good to know that God is in charge and that He is working in every detail of our life to accomplish His purpose. He uses the good and the bad. Think of all the things that happened to Paul that could have discouraged him; imprisonment, beatings, ran out of town, scourged, stoned, ridicule, opposition, threats, hatred, shipwreck and snake bite! God used every single one of these sufferings for His glory. May our confidence be in God not our circumstances, and may our attitude be like that of the man who prayed, “Lord, if it will bring You glory heal me. If in sickness it will bring You more glory then may I remain sick. But If in death it will bring You more glory still, then may Thy will be done.” God’s grace is sufficient in the storm.

Prayer: “Dear Father, give us the peace of God in our circumstances today, whatever will bring You the most glory may You do in our lives. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 26

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

The Apostle Paul is arguably the greatest missionary the world has ever known. On his way from Jerusalem to Damascus he met the Lord. Paul’s experience of salvation is recorded three times in the book of Acts. When Paul met the Lord he saw a light. Formerly he had been living in spiritual darkness. God’s light revealed to Paul the truth about his sin and the truth about who Jesus is. In the light Paul was changed. He experienced a change of mind, which led to change of heart, which led to a change in his behavior. Paul not only saw a light but he also heard a voice. Paul was like a wild, angry animal kicking against the conviction of his sin. Paul asked two very important questions; who are you Lord, and what would you have me to do? God’s reply was, “I am Jesus.” Paul met Jesus. The name “Jesus” appears over 900 times in the New Testament. Every book in the New Testament except 3 John mentions the name “Jesus.” The first verse and the last verse in the New Testament mentions the name “Jesus.” Jesus is the sweetest name I know. There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father! When Paul met Jesus he would never be the same again. Paul became a chosen vessel to bear witness to others of the name of Jesus.

Prayer: “Dear God, thank You for Jesus! Give us a heart like Paul for sharing Christ with others. May we stand up and speak up for the name of Jesus. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 25

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Paul’s arrest and imprisonment may seem like a horrible thing, but God used it in a mighty way! The antagonism and hatred of those opposing Paul must have been very challenging to the apostle. But with great trials comes great grace. God was with Paul even in the midst of suffering. It is amazing what a difference the Holy Spirit can make in our lives. What is impossible and even unbearable to us is possible with God. Nasty threats against Paul and evil attempts to end his life were of no avail. God was watching over Paul. In fact Paul was absolutely invincible until God was finished with him. Paul stood before kings and officials and witnessed of Jesus Christ. He was called by God to suffer for the sake of the Gospel. He did so faithfully. His jail cell became a mission field and his audience was all that he came in contact with. We may find witnessing opportunities in some unusual places and unusual ways. A friend of mine became very sick. Through his illness he took the opportunity to witness to doctors, nurses, and countless people. His hospital bed became a platform to share Christ. Where does God have you today? Embrace your circumstances as your ministry assignment from God. Use it as a platform to witness for Jesus Christ.

Prayer: “Dear God, may we accept our ministry assignment whether it be a place of suffering or success, and may we witness of Jesus Christ through every circumstance. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 23

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

God led Paul to witness in Jerusalem. Many Spirit filled believers warned Paul about the danger he would face and did not want him to go. Paul felt compelled and convinced that God was calling him to witness in Jerusalem. He said, “I am ready to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Sometimes we have to disappoint people in order to do what God has called us to do. Paul was determined to represent the name of Jesus in Jerusalem. After being arrested and mistreated, Paul was examined by the Jewish council. “And the night following the Lord stood by Him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.” (Acts 23:11). God’s presence must have been a great encouragement and comfort to Paul. The effectiveness of Paul’s witness could not be measured by the response there was to it. It was Paul’s faithfulness that pleased God.

Prayer: “Heavenly Father, lead us by Your Spirit, and empower us to witness about the name of Jesus Christ. And may we be faithful. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 22

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

It can be quite intimidating to stand in front of others and tell your story. Imagine sharing your experience of coming to faith in Christ in front of an angry mob. Paul not only witnessed to a hate- filled crowd but he did so after being beaten nearly to death by them. As Christians we have been called to stand for Christ. Passion to declare the name of Jesus to the nations comes from experiencing the filling of God’s Holy Spirit. Paul witnessed about what God did in His life by the power dwelling in Him. He was determined. On one of my mission trips I led a team to Alaska to work with a youth camp. Serving on our team was retired dentist Sam Ballou. We led events and bible studies during the day, and worship services at night. Sam was a relentless soul- winner. He shared with me about some of his health struggles. He even shared that on one of His trips to Brazil that He had to have heart surgery. This didn’t deter Sam from sharing his faith. We even had to make a visit to the emergency room while in Alaska! I had the privilege of seeing Sam lead others to Christ. While walking by his cabin one afternoon I looked in only to see Sam praying with a young man who was receiving Christ into his heart. Health struggles, hardships, or hate filled crowds can’t silence the witness of a Spirit-filled soul-winner.

Prayer: “Dear God, fill us with Your Presence and with passion, give us courage to speak the name of Jesus even in the face of difficulties. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotion

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 21

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Years earlier Paul left Jerusalem to persecute Christians, but on the Damascus road he encountered Christ and his life was forever changed. Paul returned to Jerusalem as the great missionary of the early church. In many ways Paul was a controversial figure. Followers of Christ loved him and received him, but those who rejected the Gospel hated Paul. Before going to Jerusalem many Spirit filled believers warned Paul that suffering awaited him, but Paul was determined to go. He said, “I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” At Jerusalem Paul was arrested and nearly beaten to death. The great missionary Paul is an example of how to suffer faithfully. After facing an angry mob and badly beaten, Paul only wanted to speak of Jesus. His resolve was to glorify Jesus Christ. We should never evaluate the success of our ministry by human standards. The great missionary Paul had been faithful but no warm welcome awaited him upon his return to Jerusalem. Homecoming for Paul would be when God called him home to glory.

Prayer: “Dear Jesus, may we care more about our character than our comfort. Give us the resolve to do your will like that of the Apostle Paul, even in the face of danger.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 18

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

God gave gifts unto the church. Ephesians 4 shows that He gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors as part of the gifts unto the church. People who love and serve Jesus are a gift. Missionaries and Christian leaders are gifts to God’s church. The Apostle Paul was a gift. We are still reaping blessings from his ministry. Those who accompanied Paul were a gift. Aquila and Priscilla assisted Paul and were helpful to the spread of the Gospel. What a blessing their friendship must’ve been to Paul. The early church was on fire for God! But with great success there was also great sacrifice and suffering. When life gets hard and the spiritual battles become intense, a friend in Christ can be a priceless treasure. I have been there, when it gets so hard that you just want to quit. Jesus is with us during those times just as He was with Paul. He also places people in our lives at just the right time to encourage us. God gives gifts to people, but He also gives people as gifts.

Prayer: “Dear Father, thank You for the people You place in our life. Make us a blessing to others. May we be a friend to someone in need today. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 16

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

A line in the hymn, “Send The Light” says,

“We have heard the Macedonian call today,
“Send the light! Send the light!”

What does it mean to have a Macedonian call? First, it means to be led by God’s Spirit. Paul and his companions were stopped by the Holy Spirit from going in the wrong direction. We are not told how God stopped them but only that the Spirit closed the door. Second, it means to go where God sends. Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia saying, “Come to Macedonia and help us.” The mission team understood that this meant they had been called to Macedonia, and the Bible says they “endeavored to go.” Third, it means to preach what God says. The mission team claimed that the Lord had called them to preach the Gospel to the Macedonians (verse 10). Fourth, the Macedonian call also means to reap what God gives. Whoever God saves and how many God saves is up to the Lord, not us. The Lord opened the heart of a wealthy woman named Lydia and she was saved and baptized. Next God delivered a slave girl, and then He saved a Philippian jailer. God did a great work! Fifth, we must suffer for the sake of the Gospel. Paul and Silas were mistreated and thrown in jail. At the darkest hour they prayed and sang praises to God. Revival broke out in the jail and God was glorified! Doors opened once again for them to heed the Macedonian call. Every believer has been given a Macedonian call. Have you heard the Macedonian call today?

Prayer: “Dear Lord, may we hear the Macedonian call and send the light. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Send The Light
There’s a call comes ringing o’er the restless wave,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
There are souls to rescue, there are souls to save,
Send the light! Send the light!

Refrain:
Send the light, the blessed Gospel light;
Let it shine from shore to shore!
Send the light, the blessed Gospel light;
Let it shine forevermore!

We have heard the Macedonian call today,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
And a golden off’ring at the cross we lay,
Send the light! Send the light!

Let us pray that grace may everywhere abound,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
And a Christlike spirit everywhere be found,
Send the light! Send the light!

Let us not grow weary in the work of love,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
Let us gather jewels for a crown above,
Send the light! Send the light!

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 14

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Someone said, “God isn’t looking for ability, but availability.” Paul and Barnabas made themselves available to the Lord. Paul and Barnabas were on the front lines of mission work. They encountered many different responses to the Gospel and experienced many hardships. God greatly blessed them and gave them a bountiful harvest. Paul and Barnabas suffered faithfully for the Lord Jesus. The faithfulness of these missionaries was blessed by God and souls were saved, churches were planted, and the Gospel advanced. Corrie ten Boom also suffered for the sake of the Gospel. She was placed in a concentration camp in Germany in 1944. The fleas were so bad that the guards would not check on the prisoners. This allowed Corrie and the other prisoners to study God’s Word. Corrie even thanked God for the fleas. God spared her life and she traveled all over the world telling her story until she died at age ninety-one. Corrie ten Boom said, “When we are obedient, God guides our steps and our stops.” She also said, “Do not hold tightly your possessions; hold them loosely, that way when God takes them out of your hand it will not be so painful.” We learn three great lessons from these missionaries: (1) Be available for God to use you (2) Be willing to suffer for the sake of the Gospel, and (3) Be faithful to what God has called you to do.

Prayer: “Dear Father, we are willing to go wherever You send. Make a way for us to go and use us for Your glory. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 13

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

A missionary is someone who goes somewhere to tell somebody about Jesus Christ. Every believer has been called to be a witness. Someone said, “There are only two kinds of people in the world; missionaries, or those who need one.” The early church accepted its mission of sharing Christ and making disciples. In essence every believer was a missionary. Through fasting and prayer the church at Antioch was led by the Holy Spirit and enabled to advance the Gospel. From Antioch God called Barnabas and Saul to a special work. They were set apart by the Holy Spirit and sent out by the church. It is interesting to note that this came about during an intense time of prayer and fasting. Acts 13:2-3 says, “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” It is very clear that the early church had a Gospel focus and that this is God’s pattern for His people. Our praying, giving, and going should reflect that we are a missional people. A church should never cut missions because missions is at the heart of God.

Prayer: “Dear Father, how exciting and thrilling it is for us to follow Christ and tell others about Your amazing plan of redemption. Give us a heart to reach the nations. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron