Heralds Digest

“they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. And they were preaching the gospel there.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭14:6-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.14.6-7. What could possibly have happened if the positive effects of evil occurrences in life are accurately aggregated and presented to man ahead of time? Obviously, there would be less complaints about evils, little or no blame game, no mistreatments of anyone’s intentions, and the concept of ‘breakthrough’ will simply be known as ‘blind-through’. When the Apostles became aware of the intending escalation of the Jewish evil machinery, the knowledge merely brought an escape from Iconium instead of protection from evil. So, they could not continue their good works among the brethren in Iconium. Whereas, God had a positive effect of the evils in Iconium on their outreaches in other places, starting from Lystra and Derbe. Invariably, breakthrough in life is a one-sided blind on the pr...

“Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭14:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.14.3.nkjv The experience of the Apostles in Iconium reminds believers about the difference between the concern of “going fast” and the concept of “going far” in life. The drive towards “going fast” is concerned about getting whatever is considered a desirable need ‘fast’, particularly without abiding by the rules. Whereas, the conviction in “going far” is more interested in ensuring the pain of keeping to the rules in order to stay ‘far’ on the ultimate promises of the Lord. However, speaking boldly in these promises from the Lord requires courage. Like the resistance faced by the Apostles on the field of work, especially when the experiences of life appear to consistently box man’s novel ideas into unproductive corners, there would be an attractive temptati...