Today's Passage - Acts 28:16-22

Acts 28:16-22   When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.  Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: "My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.  They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death..."  They replied, "We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of the brothers who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you.  But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect."   Even when Paul was in custody, he still remembered to preach the gospel.  He was in Rome for only three days when he gathered the local Jewish leaders and preached God's word to them, and he also lived according to the word.  2 Timothy 4:2 says that "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction."  If we were Paul, perhaps we'd be exhausted by the time we reached Rome and we'd be filled with complaints.  We probably won't be able to gather all the Jewish leaders to share with them about God's grace and our own testimonies like Paul did.   We need to learn that, no matter it's in or out of season, we must preach the gospel, because our lives should be testimonies for the Lord.  Preaching the gospel is not always done through our mouths, but more important it's done by action.  Can others see enviable testimonies in our lives?  Some said that there are actually five books of gospel - Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and you!  People around you are watching you; whether you are prepared or not, or whether you want to or don't, God has already put you in a position to preach to gospel.   Preaching the gospel shouldn't just happen when things are going well; when the churches in China were under great persecution, gospel was widely spread out.  In the time of early church, many Christians were locked up in prison; some of them shared their food with others even though they didn't have enough to eat, and such testimony touched others and prompted them to accept the Lord.  Also, when we preach the gospel, we need to stay focused and also persevere.  Sometimes nothing happens after one, two, three or even ten years, but we must continue to pray faithfully until the Holy Spirit moves on them.  May the Lord help us to remember that no matter what the circumstance is, no matter whether it's in or out of season, we must testify for the Lord.   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, we ask that you bless all the brothers and sisters.  No matter that their circumstance is, I bless them in the name of the Lord that they would have strength in their hearts.  In or out of season, let them manifest your glorious testimonies to those around them, and they will give glory to you.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!     Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow the project on Facebook ! Help us to reach our Phase I Target, and witness how God expands His Kingdom on earth!  Click here to donate online.