-
Welcome the Suffering
As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, the commander ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. He directed that he be flogged and interrogated in order to find out why the people were shouting at him like this. Acts 22: 23-24, NIV This part of the scripture marked the start of Paul’s ministry while in chains. After this moment, he will defend himself to different authorities and will spend the rest of his time as a prisoner. This must’ve been the reason why the other disciples tried to stop him from going to Jerusalem. They were weeping for him. But then…
-
Focus On The Mission That God Planted In Your Heart
As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?” “Do you speak Greek?” he replied. “Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness some time ago?” Paul answered, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people.” Acts 21: 37-39, NIV Paul went through persecution, and a commander of the Roman troops tried to stop the crowd from hurting him. At that time, people wanted to kill him because they believed that he was teaching something that…
-
Persevering through Persecution: Paul and Silas in Berea
As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. Acts 17:10, NIV Paul and his companions visited Thessalonica and shared the good news in their synagogue. A great number of people followed them, but a certain group of Jews persecuted them. That’s why they went to Berea since the believers in Thessalonica wanted Paul and Silas to be safe and escape persecution. However, in the second part of the verse, Paul and Silas went to the Jewish synagogue and weren’t afraid of persecution. They continued to share the gospel despite what they experienced in Thessalonica. If I…
-
It’s God Who Will Open The Hearts Of His People
One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. Acts 16:14, NIV As Paul preached about the good news in Macedonia, a woman named Lydia was listening to them. Acts 16:14 states that “the Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” This is an important reminder for all of us. We may excellently deliver the gospel, and people may preach God’s word by using effective methods, but at the end of the day, it’s God who will open the hearts of His…
-
Being Faithful In The Midst Of Suffering
Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. Acts 16:1-2, NIV The first time Paul visited Lystra, he was stoned and greatly persecuted. It wasn’t an easy journey for him. In Acts 14:19, it was written, “Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.” If these people thought that Paul was dead, then it was evident that he was in great pain. But…
-
We Never Really Know How God Will Turn Things Around
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. Acts 11: 19-20, NIV The death of Stephen became one of the reasons why the early Christians were scattered in different places. Even though what happened to him was a tragic event, it seems that it became a way for them to share the gospel outside Jerusalem. The bad things that happened…
-
Paul Became A Blessing Even Though He Was Held As A Prisoner
Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ Acts 27:23-24, NIV Paul was held as a prisoner and sailed to Rome. He was in the middle of a situation that was not favorable and comfortable. But even though he went through some trials, he still managed to encourage the people around him. The ship where he was boarded encountered storms. People were already losing hope, but an angel of God reminded him of…
-
Let’s Not Focus On The Pain And The Bad Things That Happened
Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.” At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. Acts 5: 17-21, NIV When the apostles were arrested, God sent an angel to rescue them. After that, they were instructed to continue preaching…
-
God will teach you how to redirect your perspectives
Your perspective is as essential as it is with breathing. Your soul breathes through it and how you will lead your life depends on it. You can empower yourself by starting with how you view things in life. It is like your soul’s eyes. That is why, how you see things will reflect your actions and words. But along the journey, God will help you. Remember, nothing is wrong with you. There are just things that you need to change for your own good. He loves you so much that He wants you to see more treasures in this life. Sometimes, God will expose us to things we cannot understand.…
