Daily Scripture:

‘The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord. They sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion…….. And a great many people were brought to the Lord.’ (Acts 11:21-24)

Daily Reflection:

Antioch is on the border of what is now Syria and Turkey; a very volatile area these days. Back then it was one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire. A few verses later we are told, “It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians’.” The hand of the Lord was on them; Barnabas saw the grace of God at work there. Whatever these early Christians were doing in Antioch, it was obviously what God wanted, and their work was bearing fruit; the Kingdom was growing.

Q. What can we do today to help the Kingdom grow? A. A small act of kindness; maybe just a smile and a friendly word? These simple things might be the start of something bigger that God uses.

Revd David