May 18, 2023 – Acts 18

Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized. – Acts 18:8

During our trip to Greece, my family was able to travel from Athens down to Corinth, just like the apostle Paul did all those years ago! Traveling by car, it’s only about an hour away.

When we arrived, the ancient city of Corinth was mostly in ruins. The only thing remaining was a collection of large stones, somewhat visible, half-buried in the grassy fields marking the vague outline of a city from long ago. While it was hard to envision how the city might have looked back then, we knew we were standing on holy ground. A place where ordinary people encountered an extraordinary God.

It’s also a place where…

… the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! – Acts 18:9

As my family milled about, observing only the remnants of this ancient city that once was, I thought of the words Paul would later write in a letter to the very people who once lived right here, where I was standing.

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:13

Looking around at all the ruins, it was plain to see that even though the houses were no longer here, our hope in God still remained. Those families might be gone, but their faith endured, and greatest of all, God’s love still lives on!

So, today, ask God to strengthen in your life the things that will last forever, your faith, hope, and love!

All the rest will slowly fade away…