In the early chapters of the Acts of the Apostles, there is a tremendous out-pouring of God’s Spirit, in Jerusalem. Thousands of people placed their faith in Christ, as the result of God working through the ministry of Peter and John.
The record of converts is reported in Acts 4:4 …
“4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.”
An incredible movement of God’s Spirit!
And yet … this glorious time of the growth of God’s Kingdom is also marked by the opposition of the enemy.
The priests and Sadducees, arrest Peter and John and place them in jail over-night. As the Spirit moves Peter, he tells them:
8b “Rulers and elders of the people!
9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed,
10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
11 Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’[Psalm 118:22]
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Over the years, I have noticed something. When you answer God’s call, to serve Him in the world, the enemy of God will oppose you.
Is this a reason not to serve the LORD?
By no means!
God is faithful to defend His children!
The enemy can never attack the children of God, any more than God allows. While it is true, that God does sometimes allow us to be impacted by the enemy’s opposition, this in no way means that we should be too afraid to serve the LORD.
Any strength trainer knows: there must be resistance, in order to achieve growth.
Where we could get into trouble, is by being tempted to take our eyes off of the LORD, and focus, instead, on the problems we face.
When king Jehoshaphat was being attacked by a vast army of Ammonites and Moabites, the LORD spoke to him, in 2 Chronicles 20:15 …
“15 He said: ‘Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.’”
Over the years, I have come to decide, that the more the enemy opposes a servant of God, the more the LORD is planning to d
o through that ordinary person.
So how about you?
Have you faced opposition in your faith?
Not only are there daily personal struggles, we also struggle to carry out God’s mission to reach the lost, disciple believers and equip the saints.
I love it, when a plan comes together. The Bible is God’s plan for humanity, and He is absolute Truth! We’ve read the end of the Book. We know how it turns out: God wins.
Ultimate victory belongs to God and to all, who are faithful to Him.
Stand to serve Him.
Where do you stand with the all-powerful God of the universe?
Do you know Him?
He Loves you; He wants to know you … and … He has a wonderful plan for your life!
Start living into it!
Through prayer, worship, fellowship, service and biblical study, God has mapped-out a strategy for our success.
Yet, even if we do fail … because we have been faithful, we win!
Prayer is our invitation, to God, to inhabit our lives and bless our efforts for Him. This is true in our personal lives, and, it is true in our community of faith, or church family.
Are you committed to a ministry of prayer?
I hope we all could commit to such an important aspect of our faith and work for the LORD.
As you prayerfully discern the LORD’s will, for your life and the life of our Church, may He richly bless and keep you, and remember:
1 John 4:4 says,
“4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
It pleases the LORD, when we worship Him together.
I hope to see you in worship!
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Michael