When Delay Turned Out to Be God’s Mercy

For years, I lived with a small pimple on my chest — one I thought was harmless. When it finally flared up, it became painful, swollen, and began to smell. At one point, it opened up, and I thought it was the end of the problem. But it wasn’t. When the infection worsened, I learned that what I thought was “just a skin problem” was sitting right above my heart, dangerously close to vital vessels. The doctor ordered scans and lab tests before touching it. His words stayed with me: “We have to be careful not to cut through a vein that could bleed you out.” It was a sobering reminder — sometimes what looks simple could be far deeper and riskier than we think. At a point, I almost gave up on the hospital procedure because of the cost. I considered a cheaper alternative. But mercy said “wait.” That delay — which felt painful at the time — turned out to be God’s protection. The surgery was done safely, the infection cleared, and I’m healing well. Today, I look back with gratitude — not just for the doctors, but for the wisdom and restraint that only grace could have given. If you ever face a similar situation, please: 🔹 Don’t take shortcuts with your health. 🔹 Don’t let desperation lead you to risk your life. 🔹 Trust God’s timing — sometimes, His delays are deliverance in disguise. #LessonsFromLife #FaithAndHealing #Gratitude #GodsMercy #HealthAwareness

Acts 20 and the Question of Continuity: Why God Chooses People Over Systems How This Principle Also Applies Personally

Today in this post we bring it home personally. The same way God preserves His Church through history, He preserves me in my journey with Him. We see how He ensures continuity in our faith, even when we stumble. Continuity of faith is not secured by my own failsafe system of habits or rules (though they help), but by His living presence in me. Here’s how it plays out: 1. We have a divine guarantee of continuity “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) Just as God never abandoned His people in history, He won’t abandon us. What He starts, He finishes. 2. Our role: daily choosing faithfulness God doesn’t remove our free will, but He gives us strength to stand. Like Israel or the early Church, I can drift if I neglect Him — but I also find He keeps tugging my heart back. That tug is proof He cares about our continuity. 3. The Spirit is our inner “failsafe” Jesus promised the Spirit would “guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). Systems (like routines, church programs, even personal discipline) can break down, but the Spirit doesn’t. He convicts, comforts, warns, and redirects us. 4. God raises “reformers” in our life Just as He raised reformers in church history, He sends voices and moments to restore us personally. A Scripture we read at the right time. A word from a brother/sister in Christ. Even trials that wake us up spiritually. These are God’s way of keeping us from total collapse. 5. The pattern of falling and rising Like the Church through centuries, I sometimes stumble, grow cold, or feel weak. But every time I repent and rise again, i am living proof of God’s preserving power. That cycle isn’t failure — it’s evidence that He won’t let me go. In summary: God doesn’t guarantee our continuity through rigid systems, but through His Spirit, His Word, and His relentless love. If you stay responsive, He keeps you on course. Even if you stumble, He restores you, ensuring that your faith will reach the finish line. All these came from me feeling sad at Moses and Paul's exit from ministry, and recalling what followed, I thought God wasn't big on how His Work went. But, I found again that God is always right He knows what He is doing.. #FaithReflections #Acts20 #BibleStudy #ChristianLiving #GodsPlan #SpiritualGrowth #TrustInGod #ChurchHistory #ContinuityInFaith #WalkingWithGod #MenAboveSystems #GodsEnduringGrace

Acts 20 and the Question of Continuity: Why God Chooses People Over Systems Church History After Acts 20 To date

Paul’s words in Acts 20:29–30 are striking: "After my departure, fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them." History shows he was right. But it also shows how God preserved His Church despite corruption. Here’s the pattern: 1. Post-apostolic era (1st–2nd century) As Paul feared, false teachers arose: Gnostics, Judaizers, and those twisting the gospel. Yet God raised strong voices — Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp, Irenaeus — men trained by the apostles or their disciples, who defended the true faith. Continuity came through the Spirit guiding them to guard apostolic teaching. 2. Imperial Christianity (4th–5th century) With Constantine, Christianity became tolerated and then state-supported. This brought growth but also compromise. Many leaders sought power, wealth, and political influence. But God raised reformers inside the church: Athanasius (defending Christ’s divinity against Arianism), Augustine (clarifying grace and truth). Even when systems bent toward error, God preserved truth through faithful men and women. 3. Middle Ages (6th–15th century) The church often strayed into superstition, corruption, and oppression — indulgences, political control, spiritual abuses. Yet God kept a remnant: monastic movements, Bible translators like Wycliffe, voices like Jan Hus. They prepared the ground for renewal. The gospel light never went out completely — just as Jesus promised. 4. Reformation & Beyond (16th century onward) When error hardened, God raised Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Tyndale, etc. The Reformation wasn’t perfect, but it re-centered the church on “Scripture alone, Christ alone, grace alone.” Again, God didn’t prevent decline mechanically, but He restored His people dynamically. 5. Modern times Even now, churches wrestle with division, false teachings, and worldliness. But God keeps raising reformers, missionaries, and ordinary faithful believers who call the Church back to Christ. Despite the “wolves,” the gospel has spread farther than Paul could have imagined — fulfilling continuity not through flawless human systems, but through God’s Spirit. Big picture lesson: Paul’s fear came true — corruption came. But God’s larger promise also came true: His Church was never destroyed. The visible church stumbled, but the living Body of Christ has endured. So, the answer to the first question is clear in history: God didn’t install a failsafe system, but He did guarantee a faithful remnant and a victorious gospel. Systems fail. Leaders fade. But God’s Spirit ensures His work continues — just as Jesus said, “Lo, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Next we will see how this principle also applies personally — in our own walk — so you see how God ensures continuity in our faith, even when we stumble? #FaithReflections #Acts20 #BibleStudy #ChristianLiving #GodsPlan #SpiritualGrowth #TrustInGod #ChurchHistory #ContinuityInFaith #WalkingWithGod #MenAboveSystems #GodsEnduringGrace