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Day 4 – Determination 

I have always loved photography. When I was younger my dad bought me my first digital camera that was a point and shoot. It was a nice camera, but as I got older I wanted something a little more professional. After much consideration I set my sights on a Nikon D3400. That is a fancy term for, “more expensive than a point and shoot”. But I was determined to purchase that camera. After some time, I finally saved enough to go and buy my Nikon D3400!

Have you ever been so determined for something that you wouldn’t let anything get in your way? Maybe you wanted to make a team, so you did extra practices. You wanted to pass this year with A’s, so you did extra credit. Or you wanted to buy something, so you worked hard and saved your money. Those are all great, but have you ever been so determined to share the word of God that nothing would hinder you?

Yesterday we talked about Paul and how he stopped the people from worshiping him as a God. Today the story takes a drastic turn. The same people who were trying to worship him,  beat him so intensely that they threw him out of town, believing him to be dead. That took a turn, right? But listen to the rest of Paul’s story. Not only did he stand up after the people tried to stone him and leave him for dead, he walked right back into the town! He was so determined to preach God’s good news that he went right back to what he was doing. Gives a whole new meaning to determination, right?

Often times we speak up about our faith only to quiet down because of a comment someone makes. We don’t want to offend anyone, be made fun of, or sound too “religious” so we just sit there without a word. Paul, on the other hand, was so determined to share this amazing gift of Salvation that he was beat and left for dead, only to return to preach more. 

Where can you show determination like this? As you go about your day, think about Paul’s story and remember this promise from God: “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”