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Some of the Jews, however, spurned God's message and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against Paul and Barnabas. But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders. Acts 14:2-3 NLT
Paul and Barnabas were accustomed to resistance during their travels to proclaim the Gospel. The incident in today’s scripture passage happened in a place called Iconium, where the Jews worked against them. Some might have become discouraged and left, but the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly—and a great number of both Jews and Greeks were converted.
Are you facing spiritual resistance in a situation right now? Do you sense the Lord’s leading and power flowing through you, even though people you are trying to reach aren’t necessarily receptive right now? Stay the course. Preach and share boldly for as long as it takes. You are only responsible for telling others about Christ. It’s the Spirit’s job to draw them and open their spiritual eyes. Rest in that fact and get to work.
Prayer: Father, I admit to shaking the dust from my sandals too quickly sometimes. Give me a spirit of boldness as I engage with the people You have surrounded me with and give me patience to stay with them for a long time if necessary.
Paul and Barnabas were accustomed to resistance during their travels to proclaim the Gospel. The incident in today’s scripture passage happened in a place called Iconium, where the Jews worked against them. Some might have become discouraged and left, but the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly—and a great number of both Jews and Greeks were converted.
Are you facing spiritual resistance in a situation right now? Do you sense the Lord’s leading and power flowing through you, even though people you are trying to reach aren’t necessarily receptive right now? Stay the course. Preach and share boldly for as long as it takes. You are only responsible for telling others about Christ. It’s the Spirit’s job to draw them and open their spiritual eyes. Rest in that fact and get to work.
Prayer: Father, I admit to shaking the dust from my sandals too quickly sometimes. Give me a spirit of boldness as I engage with the people You have surrounded me with and give me patience to stay with them for a long time if necessary.