As we read the book of Acts (www.lifejournal.cc) we see what happens when God moves mightily. He is moving Paul and Barnabas across the known world to share the truths of the Gospel in various settings to all they come in contact with. Some are very accepting and lives are changed. Some see their success and try to tag on in hopes of gaining credibility for themselves. Some simply don't like it and want the message and the messengers extinguished. The protection of the Lord is upon them. The peace of the Lord is upon them too. Therefore even when they are stoned and left with great bodily injury and pain, the peace of God gets them up and his protection keeps them moving. However, what I love is the way these two chapters end. Acts 14:27-28- And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28And they remained no little time with the disciples.
The perspective of Paul, even with all they had been through, was always focused on the lives that were changed for Christ and the way the message had spread to new lands and new peoples. He did not focus on his hardship. He simply focused on the victory in Christ. What a vision for the Lord! My favorite this morning, however, is the last verse. In verse 28 it tells me that he just hung out with the church. No greater fellowship, encouragement, or enjoyment than the fellowship of the believers just chillin' together.
May our walk and testimony be such that we are salt and light and making a difference. A difference worth talking about around the fellowship table of the church! Be salt and let Him shake you out today!
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