Courage of Commitment

The following night the Lord stood by him and said, 'Have courage! For as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.' Acts 23:11

Like Jesus, Paul knew he was in for a difficult time. Up to this point those that knew him prophesied that he was walking into danger by going back to Jerusalem, however, his spirit told him he must go and he was prepared for the outcome.

At difficult times the Lord will Himself come, send an angel or a messenger with a word of encouragement. The Lord had put in Paul the conviction that he must go and that whatever the outcome the Lord would be with him.

Paul's friends and associates would have wondered at his commitment. However, like Christ his face was set like a flint, to Rome, nothing would dissuade him.

Praise God for the Holy Spirit who is steel within us when we are facing turbulence but know we must stand, or we must move forward.

There is no time for pity parties, second guessing, there only time for determination and solidarity.

In our world today we see a lot of young men, and women, determined to blow themselves up in the name of Allah. We have to question a determination that seeks to destroy self and others.

Paul's purpose was to win souls. He wanted to go to Rome to spread the word about Christ, no matter what danger he faced.

Jesus said 'if you give up your lives for the sake of the Kingdom of God then you find your life.'

The deaf are waiting to hear, the blind to see, the hungry to be fed. Jesus said, 'go in my name.'

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