The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 8 July 2020 – TOPIC: HANDLING DISCOURAGEMENT

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DATE: WEDNESDAY, JULY 08, 2020TOPIC: HANDLING DISCOURAGEMENT

READ: ACTS 14:1-7 (NKJV)1. Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed.2. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren.3. Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.4. But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles.5. And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them,6. they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region.7. And they were preaching the gospel there.STUDYAt Iconium, a great number of people believed, both of Jews and Greeks (verse 1). One would have thought that with this, it would be smooth sail for Paul and his team: “But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren” (verse 2). Sometimes we think that if we are in the will of God, we will not be opposed or persecuted. Some even think that being in the will of God – doing God’s work – is a guarantee that we will not be spoken against. From the experience of Paul and his team, we see that this is not necessarily so. Satan can, and does, stir up opposition for believers to discourage them and make them stop the preaching of the Gospel.Are you discouraged? Have you been made to believe that no difficulty can ever come to you if you’re a child of God labouring at preaching and leading others to Christ? Have you been taught that a child of God who has faith can never be opposed or spoken against? You may have to think again. Paul and his team were in the will of God; they were particularly chosen to carry the gospel to these places, yet they experienced this. See the way they handled it: “…fled to Lystra and Derbe…And they were preaching the Gospel there” (verses 6-7). Persecution, trials and oppositions should not stop us from both living and preaching the Gospel. PRAYER: O for grace to live and preach the Gospel at all times