From The Desk of:

Great Things Are Accomplished When I Know Who Stands by Me

  In Acts 23, we are reminded not only that God’s Holy Spirit is in us, but we are also able to see that Jesus stands next to us and comforts us. Acts 23:11 “But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.” Jesus came to Paul when he had one of the most chaotic days. One thing after another happened to Paul. He was beaten, taught of Jesus, almost tortured, and interrogated in one day. Jesus came to Paul that night while we were incarcerated with a timely message.

      Paul was in a cell by himself, yet he was not alone. Jesus was there with Him. There are places that God can go that others cannot. There are times when you will feel forsaken and left behind. Remember the word so Jesus, who said, “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5; Gen. 28:15; Duet. 31:6,8; Josh. 1:5).

      God does everything well; He tells us what He will do for us and shows us also. We must keep our ears open to what He is telling us in His word and our eyes open to what He is showing us in life. God reinforces what He says in deeds. Many promises were made to Abraham and revealed to Him by the power of God through action.

      Although God is up close and personal and promises to always be there for us, it will never stop the enemy of your soul from trying to stop the will of God in your life from coming to pass. God promised that the Messiah would come into this world to bless us, and Satan relentlessly spent thousands of years trying to stop your salvation from coming to pass.

      In Acts Chapters 22-23, Paul did not finish his lesson because he was interrupted. God still blessed him and gave him credit for giving his best shot. He said enough to be remembered and glorify God’s name. Know that God is standing by your side; he is up close and personal. He is with us when others are unable.

      When Jesus returns, or when our time on this earth is over, who will be finished with everything they wanted to do on this earth? There will always be something else to do, more words that need to be said, and more people who need to be helped.  As you remain faithful to the Lord, what you do is enough for somebody to remember you, your legacy lives on, and God is glorified. Luke 12:37, “Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.”

©August 12, 2023, Courtney Henderson