IF YOU advance in the direction of God's dream, you will meet with success unimaginable.
The apostles knew that their success in life was based on doing God's Will. So, the more the Pharisees and Sadducees threatened them, the more they shared the gospel of Christ.
They understood that with God's promises come great possibilities.
So, they saw the dead raised to life; souls come to the saving knowledge of Christ—and multitudes added to the church (Acts 5:14-16).
They also saw the Father glorified.
THESE BEAUTIFUL moments were not devoid of difficulties.
So, when Agabus saw a revelation of Paul bound hands and feet, the believers were greatly disturbed.
They knew he might be arrested and begged him not to go, but he said no.
You are breaking my heart! I'm ready not only to be jailed but even to die (Acts 21:13).
He wasn't arrogant; neither was he prideful, but he was bold.
He defined God's narrative for his life. But how do you do this? You do so by choosing to please God.
And if your choices are holy, your products are blessed.
If your choices are holy, your products will be holy.
NO HEALTHY Christian ever chooses to suffer; he chooses God's Will as Jesus did, whether it means suffering or not – Oswald Chambers.
Paul was a man of conviction. He knew this journey might take his life and was willing to give it.
He understood his route would be conflicted and rough, but God had promised to make it straight and smoothen the edges. (Isaiah 40:4)
He knew that the promises of God were enough. They were adequate to face anything.
How do you see them? Do you see them as adequate too?
Remember that with God, nothing shall be impossible.
AFTER his arrest, a few men solemnly swore to kill him.
However, as they discussed their plan, a young boy overheard them (Acts 23:12-35).
He shared his findings with Paul and later with the guards' commander. So, the commander moved him that night to keep him safe.
One of God's specialties is exposing the works of darkness.
I pray that the Lord will expose the enemies of your soul and protect you from falling. He will keep you from the traps of the evil one.
PAUL testified before Felix, the governor, but because Felix wanted to favour the Jews, he left him in prison (Acts 24:27).
He also testified before King Agrippa—and the king confirmed that Paul hadn't done anything worthy of death.
Paul said to King Agrippa: I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains (Acts 26:29).
As you walk the path of life, let your prayer for everyone you meet be like Paul's.
PAUL HAD desired to testify before Festus in Rome. So, he and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius to take them there.
As they sailed, the wind became difficult. And Paul warned them not to proceed. But the centurion followed the advice of the pilot and the owner of the ship (Acts 27:10-11).
When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and the storms never stopped, they gave up hope of being saved.
But the angel of the Lord appeared to Paul at night. He said: None of you will die. You will lose the ship but not one life. Do not be afraid. I am still working on you (Acts 27:23-24).
The 276 of them had been under immense pressure for 14 days. They hadn't been eating, but Paul advised them to do so. He also told them that there would be no loss of life.
He was certain in the prophetic and hopeful in adversity! Then, he took bread and gave thanks.
One of the great times to take communion is when you are facing adversity.
With God's promises come great possibilities
THE BACKDROP of every believer's life is that God is always in control. He may not be obvious, but things are happening in unseen places.
I pray that the challenge you are facing will not swallow you. You will come out better than you went in.
AS PAINFUL as adversity might be, it sets the stage for what is coming next.
For Paul, adversity wasn't the end. He made it to Rome and preached to Caesar.
He only had access to the people in power because he was arrested.
Whenever you face a challenge, ask God to help you see with his eye of faith.
Final Thought
PAUL put God first in everything.
I pray that putting God first will not be missing in your endeavours.
Your understanding of Him will continually increase, so you can live as he pleases.