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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
As we move into Acts 18, we read of Paul leaving Athens - moving on - and arriving in Corinth. Paul is moving on - he is not giving in - nor giving up - nor 'chickening out'!
We so need these truths - may they come to us fresh. May this be to us a fresh word from God.
Paul continues on his mission in the service of the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ. God has called him, and God is showing him how to do it, and it is very simple, having various ingredients. Preaching, teaching, riots, ensuring those who came to believe in Jesus Christ were properly and fully born again - travelling, suffering, 'great distress', imprisonment, being sneered at and worse - prepared to keep on working even when alone in Athens. These are just something of what Paul experienced as he served in the Kingdom of God.
Chapter 18 speaks more about Paul's routine work! Missionary work is not always dramatically exciting and thrilling. Much of the time it is sheer hard work - in prayer - in endurance - in remaining faithful to God - and the Bible records all this accurately.
There will be times of drama - excitement - adventure - whatever form it may take - but much of the time will be persevering and enduring and remaining faithful to God - lasting the course - finishing the race. That is an important lesson each of us has to learn.
Am I speaking to someone this week who has thought of giving in or giving up? Are you finding it difficult? Is the criticism or opposition or ridicule hard to take? Have you almost had enough? Do you experience the pressures increasing as you seek to service Jesus? Friend - that is in the small print when we sign up with Jesus - it is called 'carrying the Cross of Christ'.
Wherever you are - whoever you are - no matter what you are going through - if God has called you - do not give up - do not give in. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you now as you read these words. May the anointing of the Holy Spirit come upon you and give you fresh courage to continue.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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