PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Acts 14:1-7
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The Lord confirmed the message by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.” (Acts 14:3)
Paul is in Iconium (Konya, Turkey) and has an effective time of speaking.
All he does is speak, but the Lord adds miraculous signs to his words.
It is Spirit power, not Paul persuasiveness, that leads to many to faith.
I am reminded that my job is to share the message of Jesus.
I don’t need to try to be effective because the effect is not me.
The effect of the Spirit stirs up faith in the great number of Jews.
The effect of the Spirit performs the signs and wonders.
We bring the willing spirit, and the Lord brings the effective Spirit.
Some focus on eloquence, trying too hard to be effective.
Some focus on the dangers of speaking, and hold back from speaking.
Others focus on signs and wonders, hoping to see them more.
Don’t let these things distract – just be open about your experience of Jesus.
And trust the Spirit of Jesus to do the work, to combine power with your words.
If your heart is stirred by the message of Jesus, others can be too!
PRAYER
Lord, may I be more able and more trusting that you will confirm my message, and make things happen.
“where they continued to preach the gospel” Even though there were plots against the sharing of the good news – the messengers are abused – they can get shot at – they continued to preach the gospel – they just moved on. That’s what we need to do as well. I am not able to persuade anyone – I just need to be faithful – to be honest and try my best to share – I am a messenger! Lord help me to be able to go even when things don’t go right – not to lose hope for many will find you Lord Jesus!