Thy Kingdom Come

14:1 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. [1] 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel. (Acts 14:1-7 (ESV)

“Spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.” This phrase sticks out for me. I’m always wondering what exactly this way is, praying that I might  also speak in such a way. But what works in one situation doesn’t always work in another. There is no magical formula. It doesn’t matter how winsome you are, you don’t always find people responding well. Then there are those days when you are in a surely mood, you speak and people are won over. Despite all the logic of salesmanship people come to believe. There is a mystery to the whole thing. The Holy Spirit works where and when he wills. So we pray, “thy kingdom come.”