Always a price to pay!

"But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.  16For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”          Acts 9:15-16.   NKJV  

It's not always easy to minister to people who may pose a threat to you. Equally, it is difficult to pray for someone that you don't particularly like. Some would say that we shouldn't bother doing this because all it will do is cause a block for the Holy Spirit to work. However, there's no sign of that here: 'And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  18Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptised.'   Acts 9:17-18. NKJV

Much to his delight, Ananias obeyed and Saul was changed into a man of God there and then. His eye sight, which had been damaged on the Damascus Road, was restored. Saul, who shortly afterwards became known as Paul, was a changed man and from this day forward would serve God building churches and introducing people to Jesus. It's wonderful what God can do with someone.

However, from thereon, Paul would discover that the greater the anointing, the greater the suffering. And, the greater the suffering the greater the anointing. Later, He called Paul to write this piece of scripture:

'But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.  12So then death is working in us, but life in you.13And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 14knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up and will present us with you. 15For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.'   2 Corinthians 4:7-15

So there is always a price to pay if you want to serve Jesus. Some people can make Christianity sound like pleasant roses blooming all around and us laying in a garden eating grapes and iced water in hand. It may be similar to that, one day, But, until Jesus' return, we have a job to do and it is not going to be easy. It will be a tough assignment.

Therefore, if this is what you want, then put your armour on and walk out into battle winning souls for Jesus. Healing sickness and disease for Jesus and changing the atmosphere around you from hostility to peace.

We have a job to do and then, a great eternity to enjoy when we reach heaven.  

If you would like to contact me email grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now
Lord Jesus, I have sinned. I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

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