Acts 8:1-8 (NLT)
Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. 2 (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) 3 But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison. But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. 5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. 6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. 7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
From the above context of Scripture, we read how the early Church in Jerusalem was going through a great persecution and while they were scattered all over, they preached the Word. The persecution became a great opportunity in disguise to further the gospel .Instead of being silenced they became more radicle in what they believed in and the best part is, God prepared the hearts of people far and beyond to receive His word and not only had He prepared their hearts but He backed up the church with power to perform miracles signs and wonders.
While studying this Scripture, the Spirit of God opened my eyes to see how as His Bride, we ought to see this covid-19 pandemic as a great opportunity in disguise, to reach out to people in our neighbor hoods. Currently, we are all scattered as a church all over due to closure of houses of worship and we might not meet with other brethren to worship like we were used to but the good news is, we have an opportunity to evangelize the gospel of Christ at a greater pace just like the early Church in Jerusalem. Church buildings might be empty but that does not mean the body of Christ is in darkness. If everyone’s light shines during this season through our actions, our faith in God and through our words ,we will only complement each other as His Bride and become a great light that overcomes darkness.
It’s a season to practically do what we have been told to do by Jesus Himself as His disciples for such a time as this, Mark 16:15 (NLT) And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.Here is the catch, through the indwelling of the Spirit of God in us we have all the Authority to publicly display Christ who dwells in us through the gifts He has deposited in us.
God not only wants to be in us but publicly reveal Himself through us.
God not only wants to be in us but publicly reveal Himself through us.
We have been called to be a breath of fresh air out into the world, since we carry the presence of God.So, wherever you are,the choices you make,the words you speak and the character in which you possess be an avenue where Jesus can be made public. Don’t allow the lock down dim your light but rather allow the light of Christ be the emblem that defines you. John 1:4-5 (NLT) The Word gave life to everything that was created and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
Choose to see the closure of houses of worship as a way to step out as believer and do the great commission in anyway the Spirit of God leds you to do in your community.
Choose to see the closure of houses of worship as a way to step out as believer and do the great commission in anyway the Spirit of God leds you to do in your community.
The enemy thought he would silence the early church in Jerusalem but instead, the gospel of Christ spread like bush fire far and beyond. This should be the new normal for us as the Bride of Christ, as we wait for houses of worship to be opened at God’s perfect time.We need to become like the early Church in Jerusalem and reach out to our neighbors whom we have never preached to the gospel of Christ.
It’s my prayer, this post will minister to you in a special way and may the Spirit of God be stirred up in you to step out in love, boldness, faith and reach out to people within your community with the gospel of Christ. Maybe, God wants to show us what He can do through us during this season, just as He revealed Himself through Philip.
God’s ways are not our ways and He can use any channel or allow any situation good or bad, for His perfect will to be established here on Earth. Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT) My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,so my ways are higher than your ways.
From History,the enemy tried to silence Jesus,he tried to silence the Apostles but what he fails to understand is , he will never silence the move God.God will never be outdone by systems of this world and His Kingdom shall prevail.
From History,the enemy tried to silence Jesus,he tried to silence the Apostles but what he fails to understand is , he will never silence the move God.God will never be outdone by systems of this world and His Kingdom shall prevail.
