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When I was a teenager, one of the few books I read was “A Strength To Love” by Dr Martin Luther King Jr. – who became one of my heroes. He practised the ministry of non-violence during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. He went to jail again and again because he believed the message of Jesus’ love. King believed that standing up and suffering for justice would change America for the better. He was right. King preached some of his best sermons from a jail cell. In a way, he kept company with the apostle Paul, for Paul too, was known to deliver some hard-hitting messages from prison.
Scripture says during his two years under house arrest, Paul showed hospitality regardless of his situation or who came to see him. Paul did not embrace despair. He was not interested in being cast as a victim. He resisted bitterness about his plight.
Dr King and Paul held close to the words of Isaiah 40:31 “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They … will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” In God’s strength, they preached, lived, prayed, and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ the only way they knew how – “boldly and without hindrance.” The last words written about Paul in the Book of Acts are full of zest and energy. In Christ, we feel our lives fill up with courage and purpose. I want to live that kind of life, what about you?
Boldly … he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 28:31)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, give me the boldness and courage to live my life for you, both in times of constraint and freedom. In the name of our precious Saviour, I pray, Amen.
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Our Location: The Advent Centre, Crawford Place, London, W1H 5JE
Regular Meetings Divine Service: Every Saturday from 11:15 AM
