Today is Monday, October 22nd, 2012; Karen's Korner #2426
"Paul
(who later became a Christian and wrote the biggest part of the New Testament)
was in complete agreement with the killing of Stephen.
And a great wave of persecution of the believers began that day,
sweeping over the church in Jerusalem,
and everyone except the apostles fled into Judea and Samaria.
(But some godly Jews came and with great sorrow buried Stephen.)
Paul was like a wild man,
going everywhere to devastate the believers,
even entering private homes and dragging out men and women alike and jailing them.
But the believers who had fled Jerusalem went everywhere
preaching the Good news about Jesus!
Philip, for instance, went to the city of Samaria
and told the people there about Christ.
Crowds listened intently to what he had to say
because of the miracles he did.
Many evil spirits were cast out,
screaming as they left their victims,
and many who were paralyzed were healed,
so there was much joy in the city!
~ Acts 8:1 - 8 LB
**
Bible Commentary:
Persecution forced the Christians out of Jerusalem
and into Judea and Samaria---
thus fulfilling the next part of Jesus' command.
The persecution helped spread the gospel.
All believers suffered,
but God would bring great results from their suffering.
Often we have to become uncomfortable
before we'll move.
Discomfort may be unwanted,
but it is not undesirable,
for out of our hurting,
God works his purposes.
The next time you are tempted to complain
about uncomfortable or painful circumstances,
stop and ask if God may be preparing you for a special task.
****
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