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Author
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Topic: HOPE TO A WEARY SOLDIER
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BORN AGAIN
unregistered
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posted
dear brother WildB, greetings to you and may the LORD God of Israel bless you this coming year 2006.
When I have had fears of going to play guitar to the tourists and locals in my city, I have remembered that comment by the Lord, "Don't be afraid...I have much people in this city."
Some of whom would be strolling by would be Christians, thankful for a Word of the Lord among all that great shopping." ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
God of Israel bless us, BORN AGAIN ![[Cross]](graemlins/cross.gif)
"won't you be a servant, a keeper of the door"
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WildB
Moderator
Member # 2917
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posted
December 31, 2005
ENCOURAGEMENT TO A WEARY SOLDIER
by Cornelius R. Stam
During his ministry at Corinth, the strain of battle began telling on the Apostle Paul. He found himself haunted by fear and depression. Later he wrote of it.
“I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling” (ICor. 2:3).
It must not be supposed that fearlessness was characteristic of a nature so sensitive as Paul’s. On the contrary, he was often afraid. His, by the grace of God, was rather the courage that went on braving dangers in spite of his fears.
After having left the synagogue at Corinth, the strain of meeting, week after week, right next door, with all the embarrassing situations inevitably involved, may well have caused some of his followers, and possible himself, to question the wisdom and propriety of the step he had taken, adding to his mental depression (though this step, moving into the home of Justus, next door, was most appropriate under the circumstances). But the Lord was to endorse the act again in an unmistakable way.
It would appear from several passages in the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians (especially II Thessalonians 3:1,2), that this letter was written while Paul was becoming apprehensive about the work at Corinth and that it was after this that the Lord appeared to him in a vision to encourage him.
Let the reader try to place himself in Paul’s position while reading Verses 9,10 of Acts 18 so as to appreciate its force more fully:
“Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, BE NOT AFRAID,—BUT SPEAK,—AND HOLD NOT THY PEACE:—FOR I AM WITH THEE,—AND NO MAN SHALL SET ON THEE TO HURT THEE;—FOR I HAVE MUCH PEOPLE IN THIS CITY.”
Ah, tomorrow he could begin the work anew, assured in advance of the outcome! Whether he “continued” in Corinth (Verse 11) a year and six months longer or all together is perhaps impossible to ascertain, but we know that his ministry there was exceedingly fruitful.
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That is all.....
Posts: 8775 | From: USA, MICHIGAN | Registered: Mar 2004
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