Hope in the Rough Times

Scripture Reading: Acts 21:10-14

Acts 20:22-23:   “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; 

my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

Acts 21:10-14  After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”

12 When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 

14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

REVELATION 1:1-2     “1 The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

REVELATION 1:10-11 …10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said:   “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, & Laodicea.

According to Acts & Revelation, Paul & John, humanly fear & danger arises from Doubt Distrust Unbelief Indulgent Willful Comfort Self-centeredness.

SO: In Jesus and in the Scriptures, have EXTREME: BELIEF FAITH TRUST OBEDIENCE and WILLFUL SUFFERING

G.R.O.W. THIS SUMMER!

This summer we’re seeking to grow spiritually as a church as we simultaneously strategize on how to renovate our facilities to keep up with our church’s growth.

Here’s the plan to GROW this Summer in Gratitude, Reflection, Outreach, and Worship:

FIRST: Continue reading a chapter a day of the book of Acts that corresponds to the date.  

SECOND: Try adding in a prayer of thankful Gratitude (the “G” in G.R.O.W).

THIRD: Try adding in a couple of minutes of prayerful pondering on the Scripture in what could be called

a  R-eflection Time.

FOURTH: Try adding in some sort of  O-utreach effort as you pray for someone who doesn’t go to church. They’re missing out on our worship and caring Christian community, and maybe on the salvation and joy of the Lord Jesus entirely! Then take an action this week to actually reach out.

  July 28 – Acts 28

  July 29 – Matthew 24           

  July 30 – 2 Timothy 3

  July 31 – 1 Thessalonians 4

  Aug. 1 – Revelation 1

  Aug. 2 – Revelation 2

  Aug. 3 – Revelation 3