But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:19-20

I don't know what stumbling blocks Satan has placed before you.

I can, however, even without having met you, describe what is happening in your life. See if this doesn't fit. Things haven't turned out like you thought they would when you were young.

You wanted to make a difference with your life, but now the best you can hope for is that life won't make too big a difference in you.

The things in which you had hoped are threadbare and have holes. Things which you thought would keep you secure are shoddy and no longer safe. The future which once seemed fair has become cloudy. Your happiness has been scarred by stress and sorrow. Your dreams have darkened, and you no longer are sure, in spite of what "Annie" sings, that the sun will come out tomorrow.

You have tried -- tried as hard as you could to hold onto what was good, to be a compassionate and concerned individual, a faithful family member, a loyal employee, a responsible and reliable citizen. You tried, but it hasn't worked out as you had once imagined.

Everything seems sort of empty, kind of dark, and mostly hollow.

If that is your life, then it's time for the Holy Spirit to refresh you. It's time for you to be brought closer to the Savior who gave His life for your redemption. He is the One whose love can lead you up, over and around Satan's stumbling stones.

Years ago, when I was serving my congregation in southwestern Minnesota, I was called to visit a parishioner in the hospital. I walked down the darkened corridor. Nobody was there except for the wonderful nurses on night duty.

Suddenly, and quite shockingly, a man I had never met before exploded out of one of the patient's rooms.

Seeing my clerical collar, he ran up to me, although I imagine just about anybody would have been suitable at that moment. At any rate, he ran up to me, grabbed my shoulders and said, with a beaming smile, "She's going to make it. She's better. She is going to make it."

And having shared that news, he kept on going.

That's it. He had good news, and it had to be shared. Never saw the man again. Don't know the person he was talking about. I assume it was someone very special to him. I don't have to guess that his good news couldn't be contained. He had to tell somebody. He was ready to tell everybody.

That, my friends, is the situation in which I find myself today: I've got Good News! My Good News translates into salvation for those who are given Jesus as Savior. For those of you who have been stumbling around, my Good News is the Lord has led you to the Savior. It isn't accidental. It didn't just happen. The Holy Spirit is calling you today. For those of you who have this Good News from the Lord, it's time to get out there and start sharing.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, if it be Your will, turn those stumbling blocks into stepping stones. Grant me the ability to see the wonderful Good News, which is mine through the perfect life, death and resurrection of my Redeemer. In His Name I pray. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: 1 Chronicles 16    Psalms 42,44    1 Corinthians 10:1-18

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