Acts 15:36-17:15

These stories show the Holy Spirit working in the lives of the believers and in the communities they are reaching with the gospel.  But the Spirit who unifies our hearts in Christ does not bring unity to those places.  There is controversy, agitation, trouble, violence, discord, and disappointment.  Many are the challenges of those who dare do the work of spreading the word.  Please do not be discouraged when you struggle to be an authentic Christian.  It will happen, because that struggle is precisely the environment that serves as a backdrop for the Holy Spirit’s work.

LORD, help us to keep proclaiming your word in the midst of the struggle, because you are in this.