S. Acts 14:22b “…we must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God, they said.”
O. At Lystra, (v.20) some unbelieving Jews stoned Paul because he taught about Jesus. They dragged him outside the city thinking he was dead. But he got up and went back into the city.
Paul was determined to obey God and to preach/teach about Jesus. He knew there would be hardships, but he would not be deterred.
A. I have never faced that type of physical persecution. However I have faced, at times , barriers to carrying out my ministry for the Lord. Yet, while I do see and experience my own hardships, I desire to be like Paul, to be able to get up after a hardship and continue to proclaim Jesus.
P. Thank you Father for your word today. While I would like to be “hardship free,” I pray Holy Spirit for strength, power and boldness to continue for the Lord Jesus in preaching “through” such times. In Jesus’ name!
