Summertime StoriesSample

Acts 23:11 

11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

In Chapter 23, we continue to see Paul falsely imprisoned. He is being questioned by the Jewish leaders and threatened with beatings and death for preaching the Gospel in the temple. Paul then hears about a plot to kill him as he is being transported from prison to the tribunal. We often look at Paul through this lens of being one of the greatest missionaries of all time, one of the apostles, and one who died because of his beliefs. But yet, in verse eleven, we see that God comes to encourage him and stand by him.  

This verse should be such an encouragement for us. Even one of Jesus’ apostles, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, needed strength and encouragement from God. Even when we struggle, even when the world seems to be against us, even when there appears to be no light at the end of the tunnel, God is standing next to us so that our testimony can continue to reach people. I love that God uses ordinary people like you and me to reach the lost and broken-hearted. God uses our brokenness to heal others. The reason He saved you and I isn’t so that we can keep our story to ourselves, but instead, so we can share the faithfulness of God with others. He rescued us from our own prison, and He can do the same for others.  And the best part is that every step of the way, He is standing with us encouraging us to reach people!