This is Pastor Daniel Stevenson. I'm director of the Southside Life Station and pastor of New Heights Fellowship Baptist Church of East Toledo.
And you're receiving this message because you opted in to be encouraged.
Working a little bit further through Acts chapter 14, we see this verse. In verse 19 it says,
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.
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.
The bottom line is they stoned Paul and left him, supposing him to be dead.
And we know that he got up and walked back into the city and witnessed more about the Lord Jesus Christ.
How many times have people thought you were down and out?
Everything you've ever been through that has been difficult, everything you've ever overcome,
everything that hit you hard but didn't destroy you, is part of your witness to say,
I've been through that and I'm on the other side of that now and I'm still living for God.
And what you're going through right now, once you're done with it, right on the other side of the line,
on the other side of this trial or tribulation, right on the other side of that, is the freedom of being able to say,
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.
Jesus endured the cross and on the other side of the cross was that joy set before him.
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,
See, I went through that. People may count you out, but God doesn't. You are strong.
You will do well if you embrace the teachings of God, live for the Lord Jesus Christ and stand your ground.
God bless you today.