Just reading in Acts.14:21-22, a most interesting couple of lines that hold a MASSIVE truth. Paul and Barnabas, two great apostolic figures amongst the early churches had been preaching the good news in the big cities of the day when they returned to Lystra, iconium and Antioch, cities they had already had great influence in. But on their way back through these strongholds, their aim was to strengthen the disciples and to encourage them to remain true to the faith. And this is what their encouragement looked like:
"We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God"
"Must" and "many hardships". Would you call that an encouraging message? The Holy Spirit seems to indicate that it was very much a part of the encouragement and strengthening that they brought to the churches because it is what He chose to highlight.
What Gospel are we embracing? What gospel are we proclaiming to those around us?
In our search for strength and encouragement, and in our dispersal of the same things, let not our remedy be a cheap, easy and temporary substitute that is full of shortcuts.
Walk through God's processes fully.
They may be hard, but true strength and courage will not be far away.
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