Today's encouragement comes from Acts 9:31, where we read these words:
"Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied."Sometimes we hear people say things like this: "What the church needs right now is some persecution.” Some misguided souls may be so bold as to actu-ally "pray" to God for trial and difficulty. But that approach not only makes no sense—it is also not the Lord's way. Our Father causes Christ's church to prosper in all kinds of spiritual "soil"; but He is *most* pleased when the gos-pel "settles" cultures, and gives the church favor in the sight of all.
Therefore, let us do as we are commanded (by the Lord) in 1 Tim. 2:1-4; and ask God to move and guide (even civil) leaders, so that they will make deci-sions that benefit the body of Christ.
[Puritan quote of the day: "True grace is much engaged in the work of humili-ation . . . “ —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For The Downcast"]
