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At that time a great persecution arose against the church…Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. Acts 8:1 & 5 This persecution forced Philip out of Jerusalem. He was pushed out of his comfort zone. What’s interesting is that previously God had poured out His Spirit upon the believers in Jerusalem. The same God who showed them that powerful sign could have stopped the persecution, but it was for a purpose—a plan to push them into their destiny. It was in Samaria that Philip saw the greatest days of his ministry. If he had stayed in Jerusalem, he would never have reached his full potential. God knows how to get you out of your comfort zone. Maybe you’ve been pushed out of Jerusalem, so to speak. Don’t be discouraged. If it weren’t going to work for your good, God wouldn’t have allowed it. Jerusalem may have closed, but Samaria is about to open. God wouldn’t be pushing you if He didn’t already have a door open.

He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me. Matthew 26:38 On the night before Jesus went to the cross, He was so deeply troubled in the Garden of Gethsemane that He asked His disciples to stay there and pray for Him. He deserved their support, but they couldn’t stay awake. It was disappointing, but He accepted that He wasn’t going to have their encouragement and moved forward toward His resurrection. In life we all have disappointments, some that deeply trouble us. But God gives you grace for every Gethsemane, for every person who falls asleep. It’s very freeing when you can look at the frustration, look at the business that slowed down, look at the people who left you, and know that amazing things are ahead if you don’t give up in Gethsemane. Yes, there are crosses to bear, betrayals, and setbacks, but if you keep moving forward, there will be resurrections. There will be new beginnings, times when God pays you ba

Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days John 2:19 When Jesus spoke today’s Scripture, He was referring to His coming death. At the time, people thought He was talking about the actual temple building, but He was talking about Himself. He knew that His end had been established. He was saying that His final scene was not one of being betrayed and mistreated, hanging on a cross in great pain, or being buried in a tomb wrapped up in grave clothes. He knew that His final scene was that of being seated at the right hand of His Father, with all power, with the keys of death and hell. That’s why the Scripture says, “For the joy that was set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame.” Now in the tough times, don’t let the twists, the turns, or the things that don’t make sense cause you to get discouraged. The way to keep your joy is to keep looking ahead, knowing that you will have a flourishing finish, knowing that God always c

A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty, rescue them, and you will have to do it again. Proverbs 19:19 Are you so good-hearted that you’re sacrificing your time and happiness to keep everyone around you happy? You need to know the freedom that comes when you get free from controlling people. Some people are always having a crisis and in desperate need of something. It’s good to help people who are in real need. But if it seems the emergencies never stop, you need to recognize that’s a manipulator and you are their puppet. They know if they pull one string, you’ll feel guilty, or another string and you’ll bail them out. If someone is playing you like a puppet, it’s time to cut the strings. No more letting them make you feel guilty. No more will you come running. If you feel you’ll lose their friendship if you won’t meet unreasonable demands, that person is a manipulator, not your friend. The sooner you break free, the better off you’ll be. Be bold, take charge o

The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. Deuteronomy 7:6 God’s creation is filled with magnificent scenes and things, but He says you are His most prized possession. Don’t go around feeling wrong about yourself. Quit letting your thoughts tell you that you’re ordinary. God went to great lengths to make you exactly as He wanted. You have what you need to fulfill your destiny. When God created you in His own image, He stepped back and stamped His approval on you.

Instead you thrill to God’s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. You’re a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, never dropping a leaf, always in blossom. Psalm 1:2-3 Today’s Scripture says that when you meditate on God’s Word day and night, “You’re a tree…always in blossom.” That’s God’s dream for your life—that you always have a smile, that you’re always in peace, that you’re always excited about your future. And, no, it doesn’t mean that you’ll never have adversities. But in those difficult times, because you have your thoughts fixed on Him, thoughts you’ve drawn from His Word, deep down there will be a confidence, a knowing that everything is going to be all right. You will know that God is still on the throne. He is fighting your battles, and you’re not only going to come out, you’re going to come out better off than you were before. When you’re in agreement with God, the Creator of the universe goes to work. God will cause His favor to shine down