SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 23:11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”
OBSERVATION: On his trip to Jerusalem, Paul had been warned many times that he would meet with trouble. The prophetic words proved true. Trouble had indeed found Paul. Now in a Roman jail, the Lord appears to Paul.
Just the Lord’s Presence must have communicated to Paul several things: first, “I know where you are!” And second, “I know how to get to you!”
Then the Lord’s spoken words said first, “I know you have been faithful.” And second, “I have more for you to do.”
Trouble is not an indication that I have missed God! It is amazing to me that God was using Rome to protect the life of Paul and He would later use Rome to provide the transportation to the city of Rome where God wanted Paul to give testimony. That which limited Paul, only served to further his ministry. Consider, it was while he was in Rome’s prison he wrote his letters that took him around the world to generations of people living long after his death!
APPLICATION: You may think you are limited, but God may be using those limitations to spread your ministry further than you could ever have dreamed! The “prison cell” you are in is not meant by God to limit your ministry, but to focus your ministry.
You may be limited to a sick-bed, but your prayers are reaching around the world. You may be limited to your home, but you can focus on your family who will go far beyond the limits of the home. You may be limited to a small community, or a small church, but your lessons and examples will be passed on to generations.
PRAYER: Lord, help me not to be so concerned about what I cannot see but to focus more clearly on what I can see. Amen.
Pastor Leon
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