Tuesday July 24th, 2018 Acts 11:27-12:3
The disciples determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers living in Judea. (verse 29)
A number of years ago, a few of us travelled to northern Brazil on a mission trip. We were in the region of the Xingu River which flows into the Amazon. A part of our time there was spent delivering water filter systems. The river was used as a toilet and the water from it was used for cooking and cleaning. The water filter system was designed to purify the water naturally. Water from the river was poured into a concrete container filled with sand and gravel which eliminated almost all of the impurities. This provided welcome relief from the contaminated river water.
There was a time when there was a famine in the region of Judea, including Jerusalem. Followers of Jesus in Antioch banded together to send relief to their sisters and brothers. The messengers of this aid were Paul and Barnabas. And what a relief it was!
There are many people in our backyards, across the community and around the globe who cry out to us for relief. It so often seems overwhelming. Yet, according to our God-given ability, we have the opportunity to respond one-to-one and beyond.
Abundant God, please move us to be sources of relief whenever and wherever you lead us. Amen. — LW
Contributed by What a Relief
A number of years ago, a few of us travelled to northern Brazil on a mission trip. We were in the region of the Xingu River which flows into the Amazon. A part of our time there was spent delivering water filter systems. The river was used as a toilet and the water from it was used for cooking and cleaning. The water filter system was designed to purify the water naturally. Water from the river was poured into a concrete container filled with sand and gravel which eliminated almost all of the impurities. This provided welcome relief from the contaminated river water.
There was a time when there was a famine in the region of Judea, including Jerusalem. Followers of Jesus in Antioch banded together to send relief to their sisters and brothers. The messengers of this aid were Paul and Barnabas. And what a relief it was!
There are many people in our backyards, across the community and around the globe who cry out to us for relief. It so often seems overwhelming. Yet, according to our God-given ability, we have the opportunity to respond one-to-one and beyond.
