1 Corinthians 16: 8 I will stay here in
Ephesus until the day of Pentecost. 9 There is a real opportunity here for
great and worthwhile work, even though there are many opponents.
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“Why don’t you just
leave?” or “Why not just give up? were the answers given to me regarding hard situations. On the surface the short term
solution of giving up or leaving seemed like a great answer.
- I was thinking short term and throwing away the long term benefits.
- I was thinking of myself and not others.
- I was thinking how this situation affected me.
Paul knew his time
in Ephesus was going to remain difficult, yet he chose to stay. He saw the “opportunity
for a great and worthwhile work” even though he had many barriers and
obstacles. Giving up would have been easy and he would have been justified.
My Observations
- GOD wants me to persevere during times of opposition.
- GOD wants me to keep going when I feel like quitting.
- GOD wants me to stay in places where I can bear fruit.
Whenever the Good
News about JESUS is spread, there will be opposition. I mean, opposing forces
do not want JESUS to be the ultimate authority in everyone’s lives. The simple
message of love and surrender becomes a battle ground as it is spun into evil
messages from those who speak HIS name, but do not know HIM.
Instead, hate
messages and divisive, discouraging words are presented as obstacles to hearing
“JESUS loves all who believe in HIM.” GOD wants me to remain encouraged so I
can see the opportunity of presenting HIM as the only answer. I do not like the
spiritual battle, but I am grateful the battle is GOD’s and not mine.
- Would you make the choice to stay somewhere that you are not welcomed by some in order to do something great?
- What oppositions are you facing that are trying to make you give up?
- Will you ask GOD to open your eyes to the opportunities versus the barriers to HIS success today?
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