Written by Mark Driskill:
Tuesday February 15, 2011
Read Acts 8:4-8

“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”

One of the tests of faith comes in what we do when we are being scattered by persecution or hardship. Do we become discouraged and quit or do we preach wherever we go? Saul scattered the Christians in hopes of destroying them. God allowed this scattering in order to send them out beyond their limits. What Satan meant for their destruction God used for their expansion.

One could wonder how long it would have taken for the gospel to go into Samaria if the church had been allowed to simply thrive in Jerusalem with no pressure or opposition. Sometimes God has to use the fire of persecution to move us out beyond our comfort zones. This is partly why the gospel is spreading like wildfire in countries where the faith is illegal and it creeps along in our culture. We have just been too comfortable for too long and so we think mission is something we do on vacation rather than a way of life.

In some parts of India just going to work each day is equivalent to one of our mission trips. When we are being scattered the enemy means to shut us down, but God allows the scattering in order to send us out. Today you may be scattered. You may be forced out of your comfort zone by those who will not receive your message. When that happens you have a choice to make, silence yourself in order to avoid trouble or keep preaching the good news wherever you’re scattered. This is how the gospel spreads. So don’t give up, slow up, back up or shut up. Rather look up, step up, stand up and speak up wherever you are sent.

God has you in his hands and as with Philip, he will use you to send the demons screaming and the city rejoicing! Go with God today.

Mark Driskill and his wife Mary are homeschooling community ministers in Breathitt County Kentucky.  They have four children. They co pastor Emmanuel fellowship Church, serve as Camp Pastors at Bethel Mennonite Camp, and Mark Teaches at Oakdale Christian Academy.

Mark is web minister for Begotten by theWord , a ministry of Helping Hands Christian Resources.

Once a month he preaches on the local radio station through the “Lion of Judah” program. Mark also preaches in youth rallies and revivals upon request at no charge. Their vision is to see true spiritual awakening come to the mountains of Eastern Kentucky and to the nation.

Contact information:
Email: driskill@hilbillymail.com
Facebook: Mark Driskill
Address: PO Box 1159 Jackson KY.