June 30, 1999, Wednesday

What is the motivation of the preacher of the Gospel?

Does God promise that He will assist him in his goal

to reach others? Is there any tribulation or trouble

that can keep the preacher from doing God's will and

accomplishing the Lord's purpose?

Paul explained to the Romans that God did great things

by him. He did not want the glory for what God had done

through him, but the good of those to whom he preached,

and he worked to convince them of the evidence that God

existed and searched for men to know Him, believe and

trust Him, and follow Him in sincere devotion. He spoke

of the manner that God had worked in areas he preached-

"In the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the

Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as

Illyricum I have fully preached the Gospel of Christ"

(Rom 15:19). In the fullness of preaching that Gospel,

the lives of people were miraculously changed.

Jesus explained to His Disciples that God intended that

they would not be alone in their pilgrimage on earth. He

promised a personal manager to assist them as needed-

"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another

Helper, that He may be with you forever" (John 14:16). The

Holy Spirit would be their exhorter and encourager; their

counselor and confidant; their advocate and advisor. Jesus

knew that additional power was needed to live in the Spirit

by the Spirit of God!

Luke recorded the faithfulness of Paul to Christ and His

Gospel and his willingness to be mortified for His cause-

"Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having

persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him

out of the city, supposing him to be dead" (Acts 14:19).

Paul expected much tribulation and affliction from those

that opposed the Gospel in the spiritual realm as well as

the physical realm. But he was encouraged that no one was

able to take his life until God appointed the time. He

would not perish or be lost in any tribulation, trouble,

or affliction allowed by God, but would have power over

it and overcome it; even stoning and death!

Let us remember who is the God that makes all things

possible. Yahweh is the God Jehová, there is no other

god like Him. Jehová is the Lord of Miracles. He alone

has the power to Manage our life. He alone was

Mortified by a death that had no power. He used

His power to overcome sin and death for us. Lift your

hands to Him and Praise Him today for the power and

purpose of His miracles today!