It's Raining

It's a rainy day. I love it. The rain seems so refreshing to me. The earth is replenished and somehow so am I. I really do love the rain.

Last night was my church's regular Tuesday Night Bible Study. (I know really creative.) This one was a little unusual for me though. I was teaching it. Steve was out of town, so he asked me to fill in. I read Acts 23 several times and was a little uncertain what to do with it. I mean Paul started yet another riot and was held by the Romans. But one verse stuck out to me, verse 11, it was amazing. Jesus STOOD near Paul in one of his darkest moments. Paul had failed to reach the Jews as he desired. He was sitting essentially in prison and Jesus STOOD near him. He told Paul to "Be of good cheer, as you have testified in Jerusalem, so you will testify in Rome!"

Just the encouragement Paul needed. Paul had failed by his own standard, but Jesus didn't call him a failure. Paul's failure wasn't a fail in God's eyes. Paul's willingness to testify about Him was a success. The results are not what God was looking at, it was Paul's heart. The results were God's responsibility, not Paul's. And if that weren't enough, Jesus said get ready you are going to Rome. (Romans 1:9-12, this was a huge desire of Paul). Paul had encouragement and a promise from God to cling to. He had an appointment waiting for him.

If you finish out the chapter, Paul is escorted out of Jerusalem by 470 soldiers, and his is mounted among the Calvary. He is taken into the custody of Governor Felix and is held is Herod's PALACE! Amazing, Paul goes from his darkest night to a Palace! The Lord does work in mysterious ways.

Wherever you find your self, God is waiting to meet you there (like Paul in prison). He is not looking to berate you for your failures, but encourage you with His promises. Don't listen to your accuser, as he belittles you into believing yourself a failure. God is waiting with an army to fight off the accuser and take you to your next appointment.

Yes it is raining!