I was reading a biblical pericope that illustrated persecutions against Christians desires and the will of God discovered within the persecution of these particular Christians was to take responding action different than their desire (their desire was to stay in a specific geographic area but the will of God was for them to move to another geographic area.) Immediately once I read this pericope, the Holy Spirit reminded me about other biblical circumstances (pericopes) whereby when Chrisitan faced persecutions against their desires, the will of God within the circumstances of those particular Christians was to not do different than their desires (their desire was to stay in a specific geographic area and the will of God was for them to stay in that desired geographic area.) Both circumstances faced persecution, however, responding action reflecting the God pleasing will of God is different in each circumstance. Therefore, every similar circumstance does not necessarily possess the same "what to do" will of God (i.e. - one person's correct is not necessarily the same as someone else's correct.) A great example of God's omniscience (knowledge) being greater than human knowledge or evil forces. Through persecutions, the one group of Christians had to stay the course in their particular circumstance waiting on the Holy Spirit to instruct them to move to Phenice, Cyprus, and Antioch (move away from the persecution at hand.) Through persecutions, the other group of Christians had to stay the course in their circumstance waiting on the Holy Spirit to instruct them to stay in Jerusalem, Jerusalem meaning to stay in the same place they were being persecuted. The core message within this devotion is this: It's extremely important to stick out-endure-stay the course in circumstances waiting for instructions from the Holy Spirit on the "what to do" will of God (not being too hasty in making decisions in circumstances.) I encourage you to wait on the Holy Spirt for your specific "what to do" will of God and remember as you are waiting on him (the Holy Spirit), he (the Holy Spirit) will successfully sustain you in the circumstance. The Christians (in our biblical example today) perspective will of God was completed in their wait and they were sustained in their wait (by the Holy Spirit.) You and your families have an amazing day!
"Now they which were scattered abroad upon persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch preaching the word to none but unto Jews only" Acts 11:13 (this illustrates Christians facing persecutions and their "what to do" will of God instructions from the Holy Spirit was to move to different areas.)
"There came also a multitude out of the cities round about Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed everyone. Then the High Priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees) were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the Apostles and put them in common prison. Acts 5:16-18)
"Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people". Acts 5:25
"Saying, Did not we straightly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intended to bring this man's blood upon us". Acts 5:28 (Acts 5:16-18;25;28 illustrates Christians facing persecutions and their "what to do" will of God instructions form the Holy Spirit was to stay in the same geographic area.)
"As they ministered unto the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them". Acts 13:2 (this illustrates waiting on the Holy Spirit for the "what to do" will of God.)
"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing". James 1:4 (this illustrates the patiently sticking it out-enduring-staying the course waiting for the "what to do" will of God instructions.)
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