From The Desk of:

The Acts (Works/ Labors) of Your Life

 As a congregation, we are faithfully concluding our study of the Acts of The Apostles. In the final chapter, Paul is in prison, yet his acts for the Lord continue. Luke doesn’t complete his narrative of what happened to Paul. While that may have made some people feel incomplete, for others, it is inspiring. The Book of Acts details what the Apostles and other servants did to continue the work of Jesus (Acts 1:1-3).

 Today, the work of Jesus continues through His servants, the church. The messengers have changed since the first century to where we are now; however, Christ's mission and message have not (Matt. 28:18-20; 1 Peter 4:11).  Let your works be mighty in the Lord because you are here living for Christ (Phil. 1:21).

 Through God’s providence, many names are written in the Book of Acts as they cross paths with the Apostles and other servants. Some souls became children of God (Acts 2:38; 9:1-22; Acts 10; 16:14-15; 16:25-34; 19:1-7; 8:26-39), and some did not obey. God continues to put us where we need to be at the right moment and time. In our lifetime, there have been a host of faces, and we have names to match them; they have been a part of our works in the Lord. We desire everyone to be saved as Paul desired (Romans 10:1), but we cannot take for granted the blessing of sowing and watering (1 Cor. 3:6). What we do and say today can impact someone’s decision to follow Jesus in the future.

 Prison did not stop Paul from fulfilling his mission. Be mindful of the pitfalls, stumbling blocks, and snares/traps. I wish we could avoid them all; setbacks may slow us down, but they do not stop us. They cannot prevent the work of God because we are empowered by God (John 15:5; Acts 17:28).

 God is recording your story/life. He has promised to reward those who die in the Lord. Be active in this world for God. “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them” (Rev. 14:13). Your labors, your acts shall follow you. What we can do is incredible when we realize God has empowered us.

©Nov 18, 2023, Courtney Henderson