Persecution

Those who had been scattered as a result of the persecution that started because of Stephen made their way as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message.......The Lord's hand was with them and large numbers who believed turned to the Lord. Acts 11: 19, 21

Persecution is not nice, it pushes us out of where we like to be, our comfort zone, and it sends us to those who need to hear.

Myself, I have not been persecuted as the apostles, being threatened by jail, but by cold hearts that stood back and let me fall through the floor.

Joseph was sold by his brothers but as he said to them, when after years in jail for something he did not do,  'it was God who brought me here (to Egypt) so that I might be able to provide for you in this famine.' (paraphrased)

I am watching my friend, who is still in court, being told she is a liar and thief, when I know she is neither. I see her children fail to support her and expect her to share a meal with her accusers, because they do not get it.

Blind selfishness in others surrounds us but God uses it just as He used blind religious fervour in the Jews so that they persecuted the disciples and sent the gospel to the nether regions.

We cannot rely on anyone but God and we have to trust His purposes and His plans. His Kingdom must be spoken about, lived, shared with those who are perishing.

I was not born so that I could sit on a silken cushion eating rubbish and satisfying my flesh. I was born to do the work of my Father. He is working to bring the lost to Himself and this is the work that I am asked to do.

Self-pity must dies, resolve must be found, 'true grit' (I remember that movie) must be formed in me and I must get to work.

I am a builder of the Kingdom of God.

Acts 11 tells me that Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. the very next words say 'and large numbers of people were added to the Lord.' v 24. What a testimony!

Come on Church shake off the dirt, strengthen those limbs that hang down and run the race before you. (Hebrews) Amen!

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