February 27th, Friday: Acts chap. 20 & 21

Acts 20

The uproars usually cease, so be patient.

But be sure to get ready for the next battle.

Stay in the Word.

Stay on your knees.

God's servants need to get away from people and have time alone to think, meditate and pray.

Paul knew that he was facing danger in Jerusalem.

And he wanted to be prepared spiritually.

If you want to catch the heart of Paul, consider his statements:

“Serving the Lord, I kept back nothing. That I may finish my race with joy.”

And he says “It's more blessed to give than to receive.”

Acts 21

We'll learn about the traveler.

This farewell journey brought both joy and sorrow to Paul.

But life is like that, doesn't it?

He knew what lay ahead of him but he kept going.

Years before the Lord had told him to get out of Jerusalem.

Was he wrong in going back?

We'll learn about the peacemaker.

Paul moved from 'The will of the Lord be done,' to 'Do what we tell you.'

So anxious was Paul to bring unity to the Jews and Gentiles in the church that he agreed to the plan.

Was he following wisdom from above, or earthly wisdom?

That's been a debate down through the years.

You see, not every decision we make turns out to bring peace.

We'll learn about the prisoner.

The plan almost worked.

On the last day, however, trouble started.

Of course, their charges had been absurd.

Yet the mob lives on 'suppose' and not fact.

Paul had been careful not to cause any unrest in the city.

But his efforts had been in vain.

He would spend the next 5 years in Rome.

Sometimes our plans and good intentions seem to bring only trouble.

But you know what – God is still in control!

He used Paul's trials to accomplish His purpose, so that His servant got to Rome.

He can do the same for His people today.

So we need to walk by faith.