Today we are reading Acts 14. In this chapter we read about the conclusion of Paul and Barnabas’ first missionary journey. “But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” Acts 14:19-23 ESV When I read this chapter it always strikes me that Paul was stoned but did not abandon the mission. He kept going. When you encounter hardship, how do you react? Do you give up? Do you dig in? The old saying is “when the going gets tough, the tough get going!” Ho are you persevering in your faith today? May God give you strength for the task He has given you. Pastor Tim
