Today's Passage - Acts 18:5-8

Acts 18:5-8   When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.  But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."  Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God.  Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.   Paul's ministry had its ups and downs and upheavals.  In Acts chapter 16, Paul was victorious in the prison and was asked to leave the town as soon as he was released.  In chapter 17, he went to Thessalonica and was accused of causing chaos, and thus was chased away to Berea, where he was welcomed.  They studied the Bible every day and Paul was pleased.  Very soon, however, he was persecuted by the Thessalonians and his coworker team was dissolved.  Paul went alone to Athens and saw people there worshipped the idols; he grew very anxious, so he went to the market in Athens to debate with scholars from various schools.  Some laughed at him and others accepted the Lord.  In Chapter 18, he went to Corinth and was rejected intensely by the Jews.  He ended up shaking his clothes and told them: You sin is on yourselves and have nothing to do with me.  In Corinthians chapter 2 verse 1 to 3, Paul also said "I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling."  Paul had already given up his life to the cause of gospel, but he was fearful that his ministry might have no effect and he was rejected repeatedly.  We can only imagine how frustrated and depressed Paul was.  Praise the Lord, for the trough of an ocean wave is also the beginning of the next crest, because Lord clearly knows towards which direction he wants to lead His servants.    Vessels of God must learn how to look upon Him and wait.  Very often we anxiously want to see God's work here and there, on this person and that person, and we hope that God will do this and do that.  Actually, God knows what to do much better than we do, because He never misses the mark.  It doesn't mean that God is a dictator; He knows our need and he will make way for us when we need Him the most.  Our God is still able to make a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.  He wants us to simply believe Him and depend on Him.   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, I thank you because you are a faithful true God.  Although we may be suffering, let us know that you are still working and guiding us, so that we may take the setbacks in our daily lives more casually.  We ask that you once again increase our faith so that we'll able to regain strength to proclaim victory.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!       Participate in Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - by Donating a Seat for a future new believer!