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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
In Acts 28 verse 13, Paul finally reaches Puteoli in Italy, where he is met by some fellow believers, and is invited to spend a week with them. On his missionary journeys Paul was usually the first believer to visit a city or area. Now there are disciples of Jesus in so many centres.
Can you imagine what it must have been like during that week - for these disciples of Jesus Christ to have Paul with you for a week? Teaching you - encouraging you - speaking about these exciting 20 years of how Jesus Christ used him and led him and rescued him - and how he had been praying for you?
v 14And so we went to Rome. What a casual way it is written. When the news got around that Paul was coming - that Paul was on his way, can you hear the brothers: “Paul has been down in Puteoli for a week, and now he is coming here. Let's go and meet him”. Some disciples travelled the 40 miles to greet him and welcome him.
When Paul saw these brothers he gave thanks to God - the very sight of them encouraged him - and lifted him. That can happen to us at times. We see someone - and their very presence ministers to us. They don't need to say anything - just being in their presence - just knowing they are there - just being in their company can have such a positive spiritual effect.
That is why Christian Fellowship is so vital. This is one of the most precious gifts Jesus has for us, and we receive from fellow Christians as well as giving to them.
Never under-estimate the importance of your presence and your participation in the Fellowship - when believers meet for Praise and Worship and Prayer - when disciples meet around the Word of God. Your presence matters. Your presence can be a ministry to others, and you might never be aware of it. You may never know what positive good you have done, just by being there.
"When we got to Rome". Finally he arrived. That particular Word spoken by Jesus was now a reality. And Paul the prisoner is permitted to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
A man today, when arrested, can be remanded in custody, or, released on bail.
In Rome, Paul was released in custody - just a different system. He is allowed to live in his own rented accommodation - not free to go to people - but free to have people come to him.
This is an amazing privilege for a prisoner. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we sometimes do receive amazing privileges. What do we do with them? What are you doing with all the privileges and opportunities which God is offering you?
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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