Scattered

"Jesus said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit come on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to all the ends of the earth." Acts 1:7-8

"On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria....Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went." Acts 8:1-4

We talked about these verses in Bible study this week, and the note in my study Bible really caught my attention. "Chapter 8 (where the church is persecuted and scattered) is the beginning of the fulfillment of the commission in 1:8 -- not by the church's plan, but by events beyond the believers' control."

How reassuring to be reminded that everything is in God's control. The church was scattered and persecuted, but thankfully the believers didn't give up. They continued preaching and spreading the message of Christ, regardless of their location or well-being. What passion and dedication!