At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. (Acts 14:1-4)
While writing my novel, Denial of the Enemy, I discovered I knew nothing about writing a book. I’ve rewritten every chapter multiple times, and I’m still editing. When we struggle, we wonder if we’re on God’s path. Shouldn’t it be easy to do God’s will?
Paul says, “No.” He speaks about this trip to Asia minor in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9: “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”
It is when we work hard and overcome obstacles and rejection that God enables us to perform signs and wonders. He wants us to rely on Him.
Heavenly Father, I praise You for my gifts and talents. Give me Your power to overcome obstacles and rejection so I can fulfill my dreams and spread Your love. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
We never know what God will ask us to do. It could be something we love and not seem difficult at all. It could be something very difficult, painful and so hard to understand why we are being asked to do something so hard. I guess the hard things in life are usually learning experiences. We may not understand at the time we are going through something difficult, but usually we can look back with perspective and understand why, or what we learned.
Paul and Barnabas had a huge and difficult task but they relied on God to get them through.
You are so right. God would never ask me to go through what Paul and Barnabas experienced because He knows it would be too much for me, but I also can look back on every bad experience and see how it benefitted me. As you mentioned, we are both a lot stronger and wiser than we used to be when we were younger.
Wow, fantastic weblog structure! How long have you been running a blog for? you make running a blog glance easy. The total glance of your web site is magnificent, as well as the content!!
I have been blogging for about three years. Thank you for your encouragement and coming to my website. Isn’t it wonderful that when we work hard, overcome obstacles and rejections, and learn to rely on God, He will enable us to perform signs and wonders. I prayed for you and your family today and hope you know how wide and long and high and deep God’s love is for you. Blessings, Jody