God Will Encourage You – Beloved Women – October 27, 2023
READ: “The following night the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.’” (Acts 23: 11 ESV)
TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: Have you ever found yourself in a difficult situation because you followed God? When you follow God, you do not expect to experience hardship. On the contrary, many people assume a life dedicated to following Christ guarantees a life void of problems. The reality is, following God does not exempt anyone from hardship, but it does mean God will go through the hardship with you.
This was the case for the apostle Paul. In the book of Acts, we see how his obedience to God resulted in him ending up in harm's way. Paul experienced persecution from Jewish leaders that believed Christianity or The Way was a dangerous sect. There were several times when Paul shared his conversion testimony, and the hearers wanted to kill him as a result.
In Acts chapter 21 - 22, Paul was bound, almost flogged, questioned, and almost ripped apart by an angry mob. With so many obstacles, Paul may have begun to feel discouraged and it is here that the Lord himself comes to encourage him. He says in Acts 23:11, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” This word courage in the Greek means to bolster and warm up. He encouraged Paul and He is encouraging us today as well. If we find ourselves discouraged, we too can take heart.
PRAY: Lord, help me to take heart in the areas where I feel discouraged. May I remember that I am never alone because You are going through my difficult circumstances with me. In Jesus’ Christ’s Name, I pray, Amen.
REFLECT: How has God encouraged you in difficult circumstances?
CONNECT: For more encouragement from Kia Stephens visit www.kiastephens.com.
© 2020 by Kia Stephens. All rights reserved.
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Originally published Friday, 27 October 2023.
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