THE REWARDS OF FAITHFULNESS. By Pastor Fernando

Scripture:
For the next two years, Paul lived in his own rented house. He welcomed all who visited him, proclaiming the Kingdom of God with boldness and teaching about he Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him. Acts 28:30-31

Observation:
What an amazing way to close the book of Acts. Paul was able to get to the place God revealed to him. He was at Rome, faithfully preaching and teaching without serious opposition. Paul’s faithfulness was tested with persecutions, beatings, imprisonment, and shipwrecks. But he was able to endure all of them. He trusted God and His plan to take him to Rome to proclaim the Good News. He knew that God was faithful, so he was bale to be faithful. And the best part of all, is that God rewarded his faithfulness and Paul became the instrument of God to proclaim the Gospel around the known world in a relatively short period of time.

Application:
Faithfulness trumps personal ability and it will always bring the rewards that God has promised. Paul was many things, but his greatest virtue was faithfulness. He trusted God’s revelation of getting to Rome, the most influential place in the world, to proclaim the most powerful message ever delivered. When he saw all the doors closing and no way of escape, he trusted God and had hope for a miracle. Every single time God rescued him. It’s amazing what faithfulness to God and His promises does in our lives. No matter what opposition we face, when we are faithful and endure, we will walk into the promises of God trusting not in our abilities, but in God’s faithfulness. Today I’m encouraged to face any opposition, any kind of roadblock, and any kind of storm, knowing that God has a redeeming purpose on the other side of my trials. My hope is still alive because I remain faithful to the One who is always faithful.

Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for being always faithful and true. You have given clear images of the future that become blurry when we face opposition. But your faithfulness makes me endure and helps me to be more faithful to you. Please remind me of what waits on the other side of the storm. Show me what is coming after the test. Reveal to me the reward that will come to your people as i continue being faithful to you. Grant me more faithfulness to honor you and to advance your kingdom in the few years I have ahead of me. Thank you Lord. Amen!