My body has gotten to the point that I now enjoy looking at rollercoasters more than riding them. I still enjoy the rush you get riding one, but my aging back just doesn't handle the twists and turns and bumps like it used to. This week, has been somewhat of a real life rollercoaster ride. There were no major losses or disasters like a death or terminal illness but I did get cussed out by one person, had my character somewhat questioned by another, and had a couple days of lunch and evening appointments making for a hectic schedule. But there were some goods - I had a satisfactory review at work, completed some tasks from those meetings, had lunch with an old friend, and received a couple sincere compliments. And wouldn't you know, to top it all off, this week's Sunday school lesson tied directly in to the week I was having. God's timing is awesome.
The lesson this week is titled "No Fear" and comes from Acts 18:1-11 where Paul is in Corinth. Now Paul has had a real rollercoaster ride. As he's been traveling all through the region sharing the gospel he has had some wins as well as some losses. He's seen families come to Christ, freed people from being demon possessed, and healed many others. But Paul has also been ridiculed, beaten, and falsely imprisoned. He has shown amazing perseverance going up against non-believers and even against the Areopagus which was a very religious and educated group of men.
But while Paul is in Corinth reasoning with people there, he begins to get discouraged. Acts 18:5-6 tells us that Paul was testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus and that they opposed and reviled him. Let's try to put ourselves in Paul's shoes for just a minute. He did not come to Corinth riding a wave of success and momentum. He tells us in 1 Corinthians 2:3 he came in weakness, fear, and trembling. He was facing an uphill battle during a time of weakness and fear. Have you ever faced what seemed like insurmountable odds when you already felt like you had nothing left? That's where Paul finds himself here.
What are we to do in these situations? What did Paul do? Paul waited on God. In Acts 18:9-10 the Lord tells Paul, "Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people." During Paul's trying times physically, emotionally, and spiritually, God showed up with a word of encouragement and promise. He would protect Paul if Paul kept going and He (God) would continue to save many people in this city. God revealed to Paul that He was always in control, no matter how unbearable the circumstances he was in may seem.
The Lord does the same for us today. As we share the message of Christ's sacrifice with our friends and family, we may face rejection, ridicule, and no responses. But God is always with us, always protecting us, always giving us the confidence to shun fear and continue living on mission for Him. I don't know how your week has gone - I hope that it had more ups than downs. But I do know that whether you're on the peak or in the valley, God is there. Life is hard, and becoming a Christian by no means makes it easy. But it does mean that you don't have to do life alone. Lean on Him today.
The lesson this week is titled "No Fear" and comes from Acts 18:1-11 where Paul is in Corinth. Now Paul has had a real rollercoaster ride. As he's been traveling all through the region sharing the gospel he has had some wins as well as some losses. He's seen families come to Christ, freed people from being demon possessed, and healed many others. But Paul has also been ridiculed, beaten, and falsely imprisoned. He has shown amazing perseverance going up against non-believers and even against the Areopagus which was a very religious and educated group of men.
But while Paul is in Corinth reasoning with people there, he begins to get discouraged. Acts 18:5-6 tells us that Paul was testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus and that they opposed and reviled him. Let's try to put ourselves in Paul's shoes for just a minute. He did not come to Corinth riding a wave of success and momentum. He tells us in 1 Corinthians 2:3 he came in weakness, fear, and trembling. He was facing an uphill battle during a time of weakness and fear. Have you ever faced what seemed like insurmountable odds when you already felt like you had nothing left? That's where Paul finds himself here.
What are we to do in these situations? What did Paul do? Paul waited on God. In Acts 18:9-10 the Lord tells Paul, "Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people." During Paul's trying times physically, emotionally, and spiritually, God showed up with a word of encouragement and promise. He would protect Paul if Paul kept going and He (God) would continue to save many people in this city. God revealed to Paul that He was always in control, no matter how unbearable the circumstances he was in may seem.
The Lord does the same for us today. As we share the message of Christ's sacrifice with our friends and family, we may face rejection, ridicule, and no responses. But God is always with us, always protecting us, always giving us the confidence to shun fear and continue living on mission for Him. I don't know how your week has gone - I hope that it had more ups than downs. But I do know that whether you're on the peak or in the valley, God is there. Life is hard, and becoming a Christian by no means makes it easy. But it does mean that you don't have to do life alone. Lean on Him today.
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