Acts 19, 20, 21
Paul (Saul) was an extraordinary man. He preached the gospel, regardless of his own opinion or of the harms that could fall on him. While reading Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian leaders, I was captivated with his dedication to the Scripture and the Way.
19I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. 20You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
22“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.
25“Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.[a] Be shepherds of the church of God,[b] which he bought with his own blood. 29I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
32“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ “ Acts 20: 19-35
Instead of resorting to my own abilities, I know to turn to prayer, I know to turn to God in repentance and yet I struggle. How is it that I am able to understand what is asked of me, yet continue to live my actions against all that is preached to me?
Dear Lord, I ask for peace and clarity. These days, I have been tortured with anxiety and stress – with no outlook on when it will all end. Within the anxiety and stress, I find myself turning to my own means and my own abilities. Knowing all of my weaknesses, it is no surprise that I feel the way that I do. Lord, I ask that as I seek to find and abide by your instructions, that I am truly awakened with Your spirit. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Nourished by His Word 