Scripture: Acts 21.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Acts 21:10-14 (NLT)

10 Several days later a man named Agabus, who also had the gift of prophecy, arrived from Judea.

11 He came over, took Paul’s belt, and bound his own feet and hands with it. Then he said, “The Holy Spirit declares, ‘So shall the owner of this belt be bound by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and turned over to the Gentiles.'”

12 When we heard this, we and the local believers all begged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.

13 But he said, “Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.”

14 When it was clear that we couldn’t persuade him, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

Paul was prepared to follow the will of God no matter what might happen to him. Others were worried about him and tried to get him to change his mind, but instead Paul gave a very bold statement “I am prepared/ready not just to be possibly jailed at Jerusalem, but even if this leads to death, all for the sake of the Lord Jesus.” Wow, I wonder how many of us stay at home because we don’t want to face the challenge at our church with Satan’s interference through disagreements or fights! I wonder how many of us refuse to witness to someone, because of the fear of rejection – just words that may challenge us or possibly hurt us! I wonder how many of us would agree to meet in a public place, like a street corner or mall, to sing praises to God, witness to the lost or even worship with the saved of the community! This prophecy made clear to Paul what might possibly happen to him in Jerusalem, but this didn’t phase his decision to go there anyway to minister. He made it clear that he would do it even if it meant that it could possibly lead to his death. Oh that Christians today, yes you and I, would commit ourselves to serving our God every day – yes through thick and thin, in good times and bad, in areas that we approve of as well as areas that God might just say “trust me son, so that I might flourish in that area because of your commitment”!

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, You know the lousy excuses we use when it comes to serving You and ministering to others. You know they are lame and mostly used by Satan to stop the blessings we could receive from wholeheartedly serving You in every situation, not just the ‘no-brainer’ circumstances such as attending church, calling a friend going through a hard time, or visiting a friend in hospital. If we are to truly reach the lost for You and allow Your light to shine through us to a lost world, we will need to be intentional about visiting those who may not be our best buddy, ministering to those that may not come to church with us, or witnessing to those that may seem very hardened to the gospel. I need Your power to do this; Your direction to speak with the folk You desire of me to minister to; the boldness to warm up to and share my faith with someone I may not know or feel close to; the wisdom to discern Your direction and feel Your presence with me. In other words, I believe that in Christ, I can do all things! Please help me to never turn back from serving You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
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