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This is Pastor Daniel Stevenson. I'm director of the Southside Life Station and pastor of New Heights Fellowship Baptist Church of East Toledo.

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And you're receiving this message because you opted in to be encouraged.

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Working a little bit further through Acts chapter 14, we see this verse. In verse 19 it says,

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But Jews came from Antioch in Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.

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And because of this verse, because of what these men did, Paul could add to his witness, and once they thought he was dead, they thought I was dead.

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The bottom line is they stoned Paul and left him, supposing him to be dead.

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And we know that he got up and walked back into the city and witnessed more about the Lord Jesus Christ.

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How many times have people thought you were down and out?

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Everything you've ever been through that has been difficult, everything you've ever overcome,

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everything that hit you hard but didn't destroy you, is part of your witness to say,

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I've been through that and I'm on the other side of that now and I'm still living for God.

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And what you're going through right now, once you're done with it, right on the other side of the line,

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on the other side of this trial or tribulation, right on the other side of that, is the freedom of being able to say,

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See, I went through that also. God saw me through it. God did it. And give him the glory and stand firm for what you know to be true.

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Jesus endured the cross and on the other side of the cross was that joy set before him.

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Just on the other side of the trial you're now facing is great joy and you'll be able to add to your witness,

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See, I went through that. People may count you out, but God doesn't. You are strong.

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You will do well if you embrace the teachings of God, live for the Lord Jesus Christ and stand your ground.

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God bless you today.