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The post Hon. EC Manning – Things Which Shall Shortly Come to Pass: Part 6 appeared first on MGO Radio/Canada's National Bible Hour.

What are some things you are devoted to? Family? Career? A sports team? In Acts 2, we find Luke telling us what the earliest followers of Jesus were devoted to. Can those areas of devotion inform our living today as well? It's a Discover the Word study that asks us to reflect on the question "what am I devoted to?"

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Something unusual happens in ten short verses starting with Acts 7:59. The story turns quickly from Stephen’s horrific death by stoning to other believers in Christ being scattered and “preaching the word,” leading to these amazing words: “There was great joy in [the] city” (8:8).

That’s the paradox of persecution.

European pastor Hristo Kulichev experienced the miracle of good coming from evil. In the 1980s, he was arrested for preaching and thrown in prison. While there, he spoke openly about the gospel of Jesus. On his release eight months later, he said, “We had a more fruitful ministry there than we could have expected in church. God was better served by our presence in prison than if we had been free.”

From persecution to great joy—just like in the early church. When “great persecution broke out” (Acts 8:1), “those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went” (v. 4). As a result, there was “great joy” in a city in Samaria (v. 8).

When forces in our world stand against the truths and teachings of Scripture—especially the gospel—that’s not the time to give up. God moves in powerful ways when the church faces such difficulties.

Peter said, “Do not be surprised” at such fiery trials. You’re “blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you” (1 Peter 4:12–14). God has the power to turn persecution into something precious.

Journey with Horatio and Anna Spafford through unthinkable tragedy — and discover the true story behind the beloved hymn “It Is Well With My Soul.” Don’t miss this powerful dramatization of loss, faith, and the peace that passes all understanding… on the next Unshackled! 

Dr. Erwin Lutzer answers the all-important question: Where will you spend eternity? He discusses what the Bible teaches about death, heaven, God’s divine justice, and the assurance of salvation believers have in Jesus Christ. Then Natasha Crain offers parents strategies and encouragement for raising kids who follow Jesus. She helps moms and dads confidently foster deep, faith-building conversations with their children, so that their children understand who they are in Christ and how to defend their faith.

One Minute After You Die

Keeping Your Kids on God’s Side

Coming Home: An Invitation to Join God’s Family

10 Tips for Having Deeper Faith Conversations With Your Kids

If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family Weekend, please give us your feedback.

Author and psychologist, Dr. Juli Slattery, wants to help women who are struggling with their sexuality. She says many are resonating with the idea that God is not waiting for you to clean up your act. He’s not standing at the portal of heaven frowning at your struggles. What he wants most is for you to trust Him with your journey. Hear encouragement for surrendered sexuality on this Building Relationships with Gary Chapman.

Featured resource: SURRENDERED SEXUALITY: HOW KNOWING JESUS CHANGES... EVERYTHING

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Fix your eyes on heaven where you can look forward to the presence of God and a reunion with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

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In 2010, nearly four thousand believers in Jesus gathered in Cape Town, South Africa. Participants from 198 countries were represented at the conference—a gathering considered to be the most representative meeting of the Christian church in the two thousand years since Jesus walked the earth.

There will come a day when a gathering needn’t be “representative” because all believers will be together. John, in a vision from God, describes it this way: “I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb”. . . “and they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne’ ” (Revelation 7:9-10).

Our local churches may not always reflect the many kinds of diversity that exist in God’s eternal kingdom. Sometimes that’s the result of factors outside our control—such as not being able to worship in person with those who live on other continents. Other times we may be drawn to worship with those we perceive to be similar to ourselves culturally, generationally, politically, and economically.

But we honor God when we embrace—and even seek out—the beautiful differences He has endowed to His children. They offer a foretaste of that diverse, heavenly gathering when all those who trust in Jesus’ sacrifice will worship Him together.