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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
In Acts 16:6, we are reading of Paul and Silas setting out on what has become known as The Second Missionary Journey. They visit Christian Fellowships - strengthening the believers - reassuring and confirming the disciples - giving encouragement to each individual believer in Jesus.
We can never over-emphasise this aspect of mission. We need to be strengthened continually - in the service of Jesus Christ - and for the service of Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of God. Over the years I have met very few confident, strong, reassured, disciples of Jesus.
We saw how young Timothy was recruited. He was going to be trained under Paul's leadership to be a soldier of Jesus Christ, and some years later he graduated as a Pastor.
So off they go - in verse 6 - in the Name of Jesus - and another crisis arises. This is another aspect of reality. Paul wanted to go north and preach the Gospel there, but the Holy Spirit prevented them from going north. The Holy Spirit would not allow them to go just where they wanted to go. God wanted to keep Paul and Silas and young Timothy in His Holy and Perfect Will - and walking in His Ways - where God wanted them to walk - and not where they might choose to serve. What a lesson!
Even with spiritual leaders of the calibre of Paul, there can be a difference between where Paul wants to go and where God wanted him to go. Isn't this the case with us sometimes? We want to do something - and God has to make it very clear - "NO". Or, we don't want to do something - or go somewhere - and God somehow has to make us obedient to His Word - and bring us into line - and that can be sore at times. These can be unwanted and unwelcome lessons, but they are essential for effective mission.
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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