Don't Worry and Keep Speaking

[S] Acts 18: 9-11 --
 ⁹And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; ¹⁰for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city." ¹¹And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. 

[O] One of the most discouraging moments in life is to find yourself all alone when you look around to see who else on your "team" is with you.  Paul definitely wasn't alone physically but he may have well felt alone without having found a co-laborer with like-mindedness to share the the burdens of the ministry and that's where Jesus encourages him by telling him about how He has placed many people to collaborate in the ministry with.  A year and half spanned from verse 9 to 10 and Paul must have connected with the other people Jesus mentioned in order to move forward with the ministry there in Corinth.  Every time I read verse 9, I am so encouraged by His word because He seems to be talking to me as I take part in His ministry and at times feels a bit lonely and yet He always connects me with other Christ followers to collaborate with and take another step forward into the enemy's territory.  I am going through that moment right now in the midst of the whirlwind of past 1.5 years into initiating the new small group ministry feeling a bit lost but hearing His voice of verse 10 and finding myself working closely with the brothers in the ministry directorship and other zone leadership.

[A] Be encouraged that God of the universe indeed knows exactly where I am and will be with me (as He promised) and continue to carry out the tasks for this ministry as He had convicted me (as Paul did in verse 11).

[P] Dear Jesus, Your word spoken to Paul is the source of my strength and I praise You for that.  Forgive me for losing focus and shifting to moments of doubt.  I want to totally trust in You especially in my "doubtful" moments.  I am so overwhelmed by Your invitation into Your grace as I go through path.  Thank You, Lord, as I pray in Your name.  Amen.