50 Days to More

A Seven Week Campaign to Begin 2018

Week 3: Determining to Whom You Have Been Assigned

Day Twenty (1/26/18): Oppositions to Your Assignment
Recommended Reading: Acts 21:10-16 

Now that you have dreamed, prayed, and sought the Lord to discover your assignment on the earth, wouldn't it be nice if life would be easy from here on out? That everything would fall into place, and you would never face any more problems? Why yes, that would certainly make life easier, but unfortunately that’s not reality. Throughout your life you will face much opposition. And it will continue even after you have discovered your assignment and are going for it with all that you have!

Often times people have a tendency to think that if something is God’s will for them, then everything will come together easily. But this is a common deception that Satan uses. He tries to trick people into thinking that if something is difficult, then it must not be God’s will for them. WRONG! Actually, the truth is that most of the time when we face opposition or demonic resistance, that’s how we can know that God is in it!

As we read in Acts 21 today, Paul the apostle faced much opposition traveling to cities to share the Gospel. Here in the city of Jerusalem is only one example of the many, many times he suffered persecution. Throughout his ministry, he was thrown into prison, stoned, shipwrecked, and even received 39 lashes from the Jews on 5 occasions! (2 Corinthians 11:23-26)

We can learn something amazing about Paul from the specific passage we read today. Even though he knew he would face all that hardship for the sake of the Gospel, he never once backed down! He knew the persecutions that awaited him, but still his only desire was to share his testimony of Jesus Christ. He knew that was his assignment! (Acts 21:13-14)

People will be assigned from hell to distract, delay, discourage, and derail you from your assignment. When you do something significant for God, the devil definitely takes notice. You will not go through life free of oppression and opposition if you are fulfilling the mandate God has given you to fulfill.

For example, in the life of Jesus, there were many people who were assigned to oppose him. But he used them to further His kingdom and to fulfill His purpose and assignment on the earth. The Pharisees, religious leaders, the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, and the crowds that shouted “Crucify Him!” - all these opposed Jesus, but they all propelled Him to His final victory over the cross, over sin, and over the grave!

As you dwell on this reading today, change your perspective on the oppositions you face in your life. Choose to see it as an opportunity to stay determined in your assignment so you can be propelled further. Don't sit back discouraged or delayed by the enemy, that's exactly what he wants. Nothing can stop you from fulfilling your assignment unless you give it the permission to!

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” James 1:2-3 (NIV)

Compiled by Christine Thompson & Meredith Hobbs
Taken from the Sermon Series “7 Steps to One Thousand Times More”
By Pastor Timothy Coats
Family First Church - Spring Hill, Florida