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The Pit Of Life
by Matt Thompson The Pit Of Life Weekly Devotionals Motivated By Grace by Matt Thompson Acts 14:19-21, "...they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe. After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch..." In these days of Paul, it was law that if anyone was to be stoned, they had to be taken outside the city gates. It was a natural thing that if a person was being stoned that they would try to "run" away from the ordeal. To prevent this, it was a common practice to dig "pits" outside the gates of the city, specifically for the stoning to death of individuals. The person to be stoned to death would be placed in this pit, therefore eliminating the possibility of escape while the stoning was taking place. How many times do we, as born again believers in Christ, feel as if life has placed us in a pit, stoned us, and left us for dead? It happens to all of us, some more severely than others. Some experience this "perception of deception" longer than others. If this is happening to us, it is simply because the necessary Truths of God's Word has not yet become part of us because the reality of God's Truth is? The enemy (saTan through the world) cannot harm us. Oh he will attempt to throw his rocks. This much is certain. But against God's "SHIELD OF FAITH" and the "SWORD OF TRUTH"? It does not have any real potential to harm us... This powerful Truth is demonstrated in verse 20 & 21 above, when, as the disciples stood around (supported) Paul, Paul immediately left from being stoned and went into the city and powerfully preached the Gospel of Truth that "added many disciples" of Christ! This same powerful Truth is available to us today. We need only to seek it (the Truth) out in God's Word, learn of it, and accept it into our being, thus making it a literal "part" of who we are! As you study your devotionals this week, seek to look beyond the "deception of perception" of condemnation the enemy has set before you. Look into the Truth of God's Word for the powerful message it is, and make it a "part" of who you are. Reading devotionals are fine, but when they literally become a part of you, you will experience the "life-changing" power of the gospels! Look for the "disciples that stand around you" (in protection and in help). Then leave the "pit" behind. Go and preach the Truth through the testimony of your life! Matt has been a preacher of the gospels where and when God directs. An ordained minister, he manages an online Christian community at www.MotivationByGrace.org , where he has authored devotionals and articles alike Matt is also a freelance writer for Ezraweb.com . Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |