Ever feel like you are a permanent resident at the Hardship Hotel? Well if you have been there you need to stop by room 1422 and meet Paul. He seems to live there a lot and he has a good word for you.
Paul is on a missionary journey. He serves the good people of Iconium, they want to stone him. He leaves…smart man! He is followed….he is stoned to the point that the people think he is dead. Just a flesh wound, he get up and where does he go?…to Iconium to encourage the believers there.
And then he says to the believers that to enter the kingdom of God we MUST go through many hardships. Metaphorically speaking, this is like the boxer who goes into the ring knowing he is going to take a pounding to the face and he keeps on going back for more!
Well, if you are currently residing at Hardship Hotel, hang in there. There is a Kingdom coming and your place of residency will be a 5 star hotel. Your Father is preparing a place for you as we speak. Remember, For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Hardship can’t touch that! Keep servin’ and Keep suffering! It’s worth it!
Acts 14:22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God”