G-d knew that we needed some encouragement, and as we preached the Good News, many listened and were saved. In fact, not only were they saved, but they were a strong, core group of disciples, dedicated to the Gospel we had preached.
What a breath of fresh air! We had reached a point in our journey when we discerned it was time to make our way back to our home congregation. The easier way would have been to continue down through Derbe, through the Taurus mountains and through the Cilician Gates to Tarsus - Paul's hometown.
We both strongly felt from Holy Spirit that it would be more beneficial to the Kingdom to re-trace our steps and h
ead back through Lystra, Iconium and Pisidian Antioch. It was the harder choice, but when we met up with the belivers in those cities - hard-won disciples of Christ and were able to encourage them, provide further teaching and revelation and share times of Spirit-filled worship together - man it was worth it!Paul's main message - and he preached it time and time again was this:
"Anyone signing up for the kingdom of G-d has to go through plenty of hard times."
We wanted our people to know this hard reality and be able to face it head-on, persevering through persecution, sticking to what they believed even when it hurt - and that's not easy, but knowing that their brothers and sisters all across the land were experiencing the same suffering brought comfort to their heart and renewed strength and focus to their spiritual walk.
We also took those opportunities to set up some structure among these congregations. Through fasting and prayer, we picked out leaders for each Church and released them in the power and gifts of Holy Spirit to guide and grow their church communities.
What times of worship we had in the Spirit together! It warms my heart even now to remember it.
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