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Day 107 Acts 21:15 After those days we packed and went to Jerusalem. 16 Also some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought with them a certain Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge. 17 When we came to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God did among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 When they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who believed, and they are all zealous for the law; 21 but they have been informed about you that you teach the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. 22 What then? The assembly must meet, for they will hear that you have come. 23 Therefore, do what we tell you. We have four men who have taken a vow. 24 Take them and purify yourself with them. Pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that everyone may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you also walk orderly and keep the law. 25 Concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality.” 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each of them. When you return home after a long time from family and friends, people are glad to see you. They want to spend time with you and learn everything you did during your time away from them. Paul returned to Jerusalem from one of his missionary journeys. He came to celebrate Pentecost with them and tell them everything God did among the disciples in every city he traveled to. However, they told him not everyone was happy to see him. Some of the Jews believed he was deterred from the Law and told the new disciples to forsake the Law too. To set the record straight, they planned to go to the temple to show the people he had not forsaken the law but adhered to it. When missionaries return home, they plan to visit the churches that support them. The churches receive them gladly and listen to the reports of salvation among the people. Joy fills the house of the Lord. Everyone wants to hear what they did and how they lived. Missionary life isn’t easy. In some parts of the world, they come up against people who would rather kill them than listen to them. For them, they cannot openly talk about their work. They cannot tell where they were, except to mention the country God sent them to. Their purpose in returning is to get prayer support for their work. As glad as the people are for their return, they realize the hardship it took them to return and returning to the mission field could mean their death. Your prayers for missionaries and the work they do is important. Prayer makes a way where the way was closed to them. It opens doors and brings in those hungry for the gospel. Their work is both rewarding and dangerous. If you are committed to praying for them, do not neglect your prayers. Your prayers make the difference between life and death to those on the mission field. Let’s pray: Father, every day Your people live and work among people who don’t know You. Your gospel is a death sentence to Your servants who answered Your call to go to the mission field. Help me to pray for Your servants every day; to mention them by name and pray for their safety as they work among the people. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 31 October 2023 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.