November 13 - Acts 19-21
There are so many things that God could use to speak to us in this passage, but today I want to focus on the emotions Paul must have felt during his ministry. I believe we all have highs and lows. Some people let those swings in emotions get them down. Some people give up. Paul did not give up and neither should we.
In chapter 19 we read about Paul's long ministry at Ephesus. He saw many people saved. He saw great miracles, but it all culminated in a terrible riot, because of the idol makers. I am sure Paul was not only concerned about the violence, but he was concerned for the silversmiths who made the idols. He wanted them to be saved. He had to realize that not everyone would follow Christ, but he had to keep sharing the good news for those who would turn to the Lord. We must do the same thing. Even when discouraging events happen, we must keep going for the Lord.
In chapter 20 Paul sees the young man raised from the dead. He hurries back toward Jerusalem, because he feels an urgency. He is going even though he knows difficult times face him. (v.23) Many people would have gone the other way, but not Paul. I hope we will be faithful like Paul. Then, he meets with the elders from the church at Ephesus, and he tells them he will not see them again. That must have been a sad day. However, the saddest thing Paul said to them was that wolves would attack them from without and from within. He exhorted them to remain true to the Lord and to protect His flock. Paul's heart must have ached as he had to leave them.
Then, in chapter 21 Paul receives more warnings about what will happen to him, but he goes forward. He just says that he wants God's will to be done. He is not concerned about his life. He simply wants to give his life for Jesus, who gave His life for him. Paul is arrested in Jerusalem beginning a long period in captivity. He could have questioned God while he was in jail, but he didn't. He just kept sharing the good news and looking for heaven. How does that sound to you? Was Paul crazy? No! He was saved, and he was willing to give it all for the One who saved him. I pray that we are all willing to die for Jesus, if that is what He wants us to do. He deserves all of the glory and all of our lives.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Acts 22-24.
In chapter 19 we read about Paul's long ministry at Ephesus. He saw many people saved. He saw great miracles, but it all culminated in a terrible riot, because of the idol makers. I am sure Paul was not only concerned about the violence, but he was concerned for the silversmiths who made the idols. He wanted them to be saved. He had to realize that not everyone would follow Christ, but he had to keep sharing the good news for those who would turn to the Lord. We must do the same thing. Even when discouraging events happen, we must keep going for the Lord.
In chapter 20 Paul sees the young man raised from the dead. He hurries back toward Jerusalem, because he feels an urgency. He is going even though he knows difficult times face him. (v.23) Many people would have gone the other way, but not Paul. I hope we will be faithful like Paul. Then, he meets with the elders from the church at Ephesus, and he tells them he will not see them again. That must have been a sad day. However, the saddest thing Paul said to them was that wolves would attack them from without and from within. He exhorted them to remain true to the Lord and to protect His flock. Paul's heart must have ached as he had to leave them.
Then, in chapter 21 Paul receives more warnings about what will happen to him, but he goes forward. He just says that he wants God's will to be done. He is not concerned about his life. He simply wants to give his life for Jesus, who gave His life for him. Paul is arrested in Jerusalem beginning a long period in captivity. He could have questioned God while he was in jail, but he didn't. He just kept sharing the good news and looking for heaven. How does that sound to you? Was Paul crazy? No! He was saved, and he was willing to give it all for the One who saved him. I pray that we are all willing to die for Jesus, if that is what He wants us to do. He deserves all of the glory and all of our lives.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Acts 22-24.