Acts 18:9-10 New International Version (NIV)
9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”
Jesus always reminds us to take courage. When we look to our own circumstances, we can get overwhelmed and even discouraged. It is the battlefield of the mind and the enemy hits us hard there many times.
Paul struggled with those thoughts, as well. Paul was in the great city of Corinth. He was teaching in the Jewish Synagogue to the Jews and was getting nowhere. He talks to them about Jesus, but they will not listen. They are stiff necked and religious. This is a bad combination. So. Paul gets discouraged.
I love how Jesus meets us in our discouragement when one door closes, another opens. Since the Jewish people would not listen about Jesus, he is sent to the Gentiles at Corinth. Jesus said many people in the city belong to me. Go preach to them.
We have many people in all cities that belong to Jesus. They just have not heard to Gospel Message. We are called to be voices in our city. So do not be afraid to speak out. Many will come because of our stories of how Jesus changed us.
Men, today is that day. Jesus is with you like he was with Paul. Share the Good News of the Gospel, and most of all ‘Live it’.
Be encouraged, by brothers, many will come to Jesus because of our Courage.
Strength and Courage
Michael
