I first reflected on church growth when I read this verse, but then I believe that God changed my thoughts, as these thoughts apply to personal Christian growth and to church growth. I discerned two things from this verse that spoke to me: 1). It was with the help of the Holy Spirit that the church grew in peace, was strengthened and grew in numbers. Think about it friend. Nothing was mentioned about the dynamic speaker that Paul was – although I believe that a preacher can only preach about something that really dwells inside of him and directs his thoughts and his mind, like the Holy Spirit will aptly do when one is connected to Him. Nothing was mentioned about the church location or the beauty of its building, or the money it had saved. It truly is a God-thing. Without the Holy Spirit, nothing Godly is accomplished. 2). The church lived in reverence for the Lord – a key ingredient to church and personal growth is loyalty, love and respect for the Lord. Think about it – anytime a pastor, or church leaders feel like they have everything under control and there is no need to operate in the fear and reverence of God, then the individual and/or the church will be destined for failure in its mission. Friends, let’s return to the basics of our belief and the founder and maker of all Godly things, Jesus Christ, through the work of His Holy Spirit. It produced results for the work Saul was involved in, and knowing that our God has not changed, assures me that He can still do an awesome job in our personal lives, and in rejuvenating our respective churches!