"So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, being built up and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, and it increased in numbers." Acts 9:31 HCSB
After the conversion of Saul the once fierce persecutor of the church to faith in Christ, the church enjoyed a period of peace before the next wave of persecution came. During this period of peace the believers did not sit back and coast. It was a period of dynamic growth spiritually and numerically. As they lived in a reverent relationship with Christ as Lord and responded to the activity of the Holy Spirit in their midst they were built up and others were won to Christ.
The church in America lives in relative peace. In our peaceful state, are we coasting or growing? It is far too easy to coast when there are no troubles challenging and strengthening our faith. But we need to take advantage of our peace to grow in a reverential relationship to Christ as Lord and to respond to what the Spirit is doing around us. These are good days to grow up spiritually and to grow out through sharing our faith. Don't let the peace pass without profit.
Father, I'm blessed to live in a peaceful state but help me to grow and not coast during these days. Help me to grow up in Christ and to grow out by sharing Him with others.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
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Good Morning Pastor Mark, Again I thank you for allowing the Holy Spirit to speak His heart through you. I pray also that I along with my brothers and sisters in America will truly work while it is day because night is coming when it will truly be much harder to live out the gospel and tell others about Christ. We are already beginning to feel the tide going against our Christian heritage. May we be found faithful. Love in Christ Francie
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