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Read Luke 21:10-16.

"For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist" (v. 15).

     Most of us look at trouble as all bad. We avoid it if possible. Paul was warned not to go to Jerusalem. Agabus prophesied (Acts 21:11) that Paul would be bound and imprisoned when he went to Jerusalem. Paul said he was "ready… to die... for the name of the Lord Jesus." He went, was arrested, witnessed to Jews, Gentiles, high ranking officials, and prison guards. He was ill-treated and later died for his testimony. Eternity will reveal millions perhaps who will be in heaven because of his witness those last days of his life as a prisoner. Paul said he suffered the loss of everything and counted those things but rubbish that he might win Christ.
Savanye found Christ as Savior in one of our churches in Haiti. A bitter enemy put a machete to Savanye's throat, demanded him to renounce the church, the pastor, and the president of Haiti. Savanye boldly refused and remained faithful! God delivered him. He serves cheerfully and faithfully today
Many have been turned to Christ simply because someone "lived it." The statement is made: "I want what that person has!" (Mark J. Surbrook)

Life is a series of attitudes and adjustments.
Adjustments depend on attitudes.
Our attitudes determine our measure of usefulness,
our measure of peace, and the destiny of souls.
                                                                                    — Karl Paulo

Read Acts 19:30-41. 

 "But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians" (v. 34).

    Mob mentality is not a new concept! There are a couple of characteristics of this phenomenon seen both in our text and our society. First, it leaves those in its grasp much less inclined to think logically and independently. Second, it creates the illusion that the smaller group is the enemy. Mob mentality was active in the Ephesus of our text and is often seen in the protests that take place in American cities.

But before we condemn those who give us to such reasonless actions, let's remember that church history is full of examples when people who called themselves the church committed atrocities and justified them either with misused Bible texts or church governing rules. Even in Jesus' day, the Sanhedrin declared, "We have a law, and by our law, he ought to die" (John 19:7).

It is easy when someone upsets the "status quo" for mob mentality to take over, and for the larger group to take actions that are neither necessary nor logical or biblical. The church should stand against sin, but it should also stand against mob mentality!

"Lord, help me not to condemn anyone today simply because my group does!

Help me instead to exercise righteous judgment" (John 7:24). (Gordon L. Snider)

Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-9.

           “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.” (v. 9).

   “You’re an awesome gardener! These are gorgeous!” my friend gushed over the dahlias, roses, and celosia I had brought her. I hesitated to accept the compliment as I felt I honestly didn’t deserve the praise. I’m an amateur at this gardening thing. I experiment each year, and much of my garden’s success is almost accidental. I can only take credit for purchasing, planting, and watering. Sometimes I overwater. Sometimes I forget to water. Sometimes I prune too much. Sometimes the light isn’t right. Sometimes even my best efforts fail to save a plant. All I can do is try. I cannot force a plant to grow. So, when something blooms beautifully, I get quite excited!
   Watching plants grow and flowers bloom is deeply moving. It is a reminder of the principles mentioned in today’s Scripture reading. Ministry is a lot like gardening. When trying to reach others for Christ, there is a little we can do and a lot that is in God’s hands. But if I quit doing my part – if I quit “watering my flowers” – and quit preparing for my Sunday school class, quit interacting with my neighbors, etc., I am guaranteed failure. God asks me to do my part…all I can do. Then, when combined with the “sunshine” of His love, He multiplies my efforts and the results can be truly beautiful! (Shawna J. Wright)

                                        We must work hand-in-hand with God to reach and teach souls.