Good morning!
Text: Acts 16-18; Proverbs 12:1-14
When I was first getting my feet wet in vocational ministry, I worked for an evangelist, Luis Palau, as part of the advance team for a campaign he was bringing to Connecticut. I recall an early meeting with him where he brought us words of encouragement. We needed it, as our region is not very open to the Gospel. Luis opened the Word of God to Acts 18. The setting is Corinth, and Paul is bringing the Gospel. He has not had much success with the Jews there, and has turned his attention to the Gentiles. The door is open to discouragement. Luis shared these words:
…the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” (Acts 18:9-10)
The Word of the Lord for Paul is for us today as well. The Lord has many around us who are his. We can see this is true when we gather for regional prayer events. Many we do not see because, although God has them in His hand, they have not yet come to a saving knowledge of Jesus. For their sake we dare not give in to discouragement. Moreover, as with Paul, God is with us. So, here is our charge; ““Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent.”
in Him, Mike