Tragedy, calamity, betrayal, struggle, slander, and all the other difficulties we face in our lives are an important part of the complex tapestry that is God’s grand plan for our existence here in this world. The life of the Apostle Paul is characterized by each and every one of the above listed negative traits; however, he never lost hope or wavered in the slightest in his faith. Anointed by God to spread the Gospel, you would expect Paul to have an unencumbered life of spiritual protection. This was not the case. God gave Paul a life full of challenging circumstances. We should praise God for providing us with a challenging life – a life in which we have every opportunity to grow in knowledge and wisdom; a life that will prepare us for the finale in God’s grand plan.
The story told in the Book of Acts is that of the Kingdom of God coming to earth through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the disciples of Jesus are sent out into all the world to spread the good news in word and in action. As a result, diverse Jesus communities were formed where all were treated equally as they gave allegiance to King Jesus and worked together to live by His teachings, trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit to point the way forward.
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