Hard Times

After they had evangelised that town and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch, strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them, "Iis necessary to pass through many troubles on our way into the kingdom of God."
When they had appointed elders in every church and prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Acts 14:21-23

Paul and Barnabas first evangelised, then encouraged the believers in knowing that they would experience troubles along the way, then established eldership. If the church was to remain it needed to be founded on truth and have strong leaders to keep the work going.

Too many believers become disappointed when they experience troubles and therefore drop away. Being able to accept troubles is a necessary part of the walk of faith. Teaching new disciples to expect troubles was and still is important.

When people invest and take risks they need to understand the risks fully and be prepared for down times. In life it is no different. The hard times make us strong. Amen!

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