Daily Bread 10-24-17

Acts 8:3,4

3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the Church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

ref. - 1 Co 15:9 - For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Gal 1:13 - For ye have heard of my conversation in times past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

Mt 10:23 - But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

Ac 11:19 - Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but the Jews only.

This was a time of great persecution for the Christians. They were not only being put into prison and persecuted but some were being put to death for standing within their faith and their callings. The perseverance that these disciples had was unequalled. Even though they were being displaced, ran off, whipped, imprisoned, and some put to death, they continued to spread and defend the gospel that they had been given in Jesus Christ. They were instructed to move on if not accepted in a city. That they could move to as many cities as they wanted and that they still could not complete every city in even Israel before Christ came again. When the persecution came, they were to flee. But they were not to hide who they were and what they represented, they were to preach the word every where. Today if we could find this perseverance to get this gospel out there the results would be unbelievable. This occurs not only from town to town but within communities and churches as well. When in the presence of certain men or in certain places our faith becomes non existent because we decide that the outcome will not be good or that it will cause issues. Even in a church full of people some are afraid to give the full word of God in fear that it will cause an uprising or that "people might leave". But, if we look at who these men were taking the gospel to when they went to another town, it was the Jews. the ones who were creating the greatest opposition. They had to walk into a synagogue and try to reason with these men. These men were more educated, had more wealth, more power, more followers, but these visionary men called of God carried this gospel first to the hardest opposition. It was not until later that it was given to others. This courage and faith did not come by a group of men gathered together in strength. No, it came by their faith and diligence in the gospel through the Holy Ghost. Today, we do have modern day Sauls all over the world. going about trying to shut the mouths of those who speak the truth. But in Christ Jesus we have been shown that we are to represent our beliefs in all arenas, demonstrate our faith in all situations, and if not accepted and persecuted, take what God has given us to someone else. Today, we are taught the exact opposite through false prophecy, to knock on the same doors until they eventually fall down, but this is not the will of God nor is it the example we are given in God's Holy Word. It is high time to start following after the example of the devout Christian and the dedicated disciple instead of the spineless jellyfish. Stay within the Gospel that we have been given, do what it says, believe where it leads, and watch how God does a work in each and every one of us. Even the great persecutor Saul was converted and became one of the most courageous representatives of Christianity that we know today. He tells us that he has not attained the prize but that he is still ever chasing after that which has been promised us in our heavenly calling. It isn't over till its over, and according to this message today, we have a long long way to go!! Time to be a Paul and not a Saul and get out there an represent to those who will listen and leave behind them that will not. Have a great day!!!