Today's Passage - Galatians 1:18-24

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Galatians 1: 18-24     "..... I saw none of the other apostles-only James, the Lord's brother. I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." And they praised God because of me."                  The church at that time was wary of Paul's apostleship; the twelve apostles have followed Jesus, but Paul never did, so the church had issues with Paul's teachings. In fact churches past and present have the same difficulties; it's hard to imagine someone would challenge Paul's apostleship. Indeed, people's criticism is always there, and their judgment is unavoidable; it still takes building up the sense of trust among the co-workers. God never exempt us from difficulties and challenges, but He promises His presence and co-working, even Paul is no exception. So how did Paul face the challenge?                  First, he said he received revelation from God as led by Jesus in person; it was God who revealed His son in him, so he would preach Christ among the gentiles, and that vision was different from that of the twelve apostles. Second, he emphasized they were taught by the other apostles, yet he simply went into Arabia to wait for God in patience, and asked God to teach him. Third, after three years he then visited the apostles for the purpose of ministry unity, not to receive teaching. Paul had a great sense of urgency, looking forward to serve God right away; however, he also knew it would take the process of working through people to make his faith stronger, and increase the level of trust of the church towards him.                  In the church, we are so eager to preach the gospel, hoping to serve God right away. But sometimes God asks us to go through the process of working through people; so that through it all we see ourselves once again areas to be dealt with and refined in the fire by God, to remove the impurities in our lives, and having a stronger faith. In this process, it will take building up the trust among the co-workers; otherwise only criticism and judgment endure, without unity with one another. Through this process, treating each other with patience and humility, focusing on God, and then the ministries can flourish. Paul understood the process was important; on one hand he was eager, and yet he would still wait for God to pave the ways. Ask God to help us, no matter under what situations, receive God's leading with humility, and then God will pave our ways.                                                                 Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, let our eyes focus on you. You have a purpose, mission for us; you give us thoughts of peace instead of calamity, let us fully submit and depend on you. We give thanks and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!