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The Apostle Paul faced endless trials and tribulations throughout his ministry. The trying of his faith generated increased faith. He learned that through obedience and submission he could overcome every obstacle that presented itself. He wholeheartedly believed that all things worked together for those who responded to God’s calling and purpose. (Romans 8:28) When he was down, he reached up to the outstretched hand of the Lord. When he felt alone, he looked over to see Jesus who was his constant companion. When the fiery darts of persecution reigned down on him, he simply raised his Shield of Faith. When discouragement tried to slow him down, he quickly turned to encouraging others. As we read about Paul’s life, we gain immediate strength, for the little challenges that we have exaggerated as a full blown problem seem trivial to what he experienced. Someone may say they have a problem that even Paul never faced. That may be true, but God is just as consistent in helping now as he did for Paul. God sees your situation and promises He will not let your trials be more than you can handle. Believers need to be encouraged by the consistency of God’s love for them. Instead of fueling a problem with worry, anxiety, and fear, we need to fuel our faith with the Word and watch that problem dissolve into a learning experience.
On the way to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, his ship landed at Miletus. Desiring to speak to the Elders of Ephesus, he sent for them to come to Miletus so he could share with them an urgent message. During that ministerial retreat, Paul made it clear to them that he had shared everything that God had directed him to say and do. He also warned them of false prophets and speakers who were really wolves, who would seek to devour the “flock” of Believers. He warned that even some of them would bring false teachings that would cause people to fall away. He had been so concerned about the threat against the church that he talked about the danger for over three years. Paul told them that financial interests had been of no concern to him, in fact he reminded them that he worked with his hands to supply not only his necessities, but the needs of those who had assisted him. He had not acquired a summer home on the Aegean Sea. He did wear expensive robes from Omar the Taylor. He never traveled first class, but went steerage on his watery travels. He told them what Jesus had taught years before: it is move blessed to give than to receive. After the meeting they prayed together and then Paul set sail for Jerusalem. (Acts 20: 17-38)
Political and Religious corruption has been an issue of concern for generations. Almost every newly elected politician faces the challenge to eradicate the quagmire of self interest groups in the political arena. Sadly with the religious community there also is a swamp of corruption. This is an area that those outside the Faith have been eager to address. Their purpose is to throw all Christians under the bus. Where are the faithful servants that are willing to call out the corruption within the Church? Some of the teachings that are presented are in direct contradiction to God’s intended Word. Many promote a lifestyle of the “rich and famous.” Ministers exhibit lavish houses, cars, airplanes and other material evidences of a misinterpreted truth. Should ministers live a life style higher than those who they shepherd or teach? Should the shepherds sell their materials at a profitable margin, even though they claimed they received it from God? People are receiving correct as well as incorrect teaching, but the motivation of the speaker is self serving. Ignoring the problem only brings a greater freedom to continue to present a misinterpreted message. The Church needs to drain the religious swamp, so that the uncompromising Truth can once again present a unifying message. But the problem is who has the courage to pull the plug! Who has the courage to call out the false prophets? Instead of heeding the warning flags, millions of Christians continue to follow the “Pied Piper” as he leads them from Biblical Truths to a worldly concept that financial gain is the evidence of spiritual blessings.
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