Acts 17-18:18

We start chapter 17 today seeing Paul in the middle of the mission God had given him and stayed three weeks in Thessalonica teaching about Christ. We see some Jews accepting Christ and some creating dissension. When He was driven out, He went to Berea where the scriptures tell us that they were of more noble character and searched the scriptures for the truth and received the scriptures with eagerness. We see Silas and Timothy stayed first at Thessalonica and then stayed in Berea after the Thessalonians stirred up trouble in Berea. After Paul left they stayed behind to teach the ways of the Lord. Discipleship was more than just a buzz word, they lived it and left teachers and preachers in every city. The scriptures tell us they later appointed elders and began the early churches with their own leadership.

Then in Athens we see Paul teaching in the marketplace. There were false Gods throughout the city and He was greatly troubled. They ended up taking Him to the Areopagus where He brilliantly used the Altar of the unknown God to tell them about Jesus. He knew some of their own poets had said "We are His offspring." Some sneered, needed to hear more and some believed. Paul never came back to Athens to tell them more.

In chapter 18 we see Paul in Corinth. When Timothy and Silas came from Macedonia, Paul stopped making tents with Aquila and Priscilla and devoted Himself to preaching the word to the Jews there. When they got abusive and opposed Him He shook His clothes and said "Your blood be on your own heads, I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles!" But God spoke to Him in a vision and persuaded Him to stay. He stayed there a year and a half teaching them the word of God. God knew the Corinthian church needed Him there as they became established. Paul showed true servant hood as He stayed and went about the father's business. When things look like they are getting out of hand, it may be the Lord at work. If we do not see it through, we may never be used as God intended and will not experience the blessing He has intended as He carries us through the difficult situation. If you are facing a situation that is bigger than us, let God carry you through and the faith God builds in you through depending on Him in this, will bring you through the next one and the next one. Just like Paul, Silas and Timothy, we are on a journey with the Lord. As we let Him lead, we will end up at the right destination and will gain a wealth of wisdom, perseverance and blessings along the way.