Happy Wednesday! Today is Veterans day in America. Many people use this day to honor veterans across the United States military branches. Many veterans served with honor, integrity, compassion, and for the right for our nation to be free. We may not know all the reasons why someone served, but we are grateful for their service, time and sacrifice.

Yesterday, we discussed Paul’s effective leadership skills and for the next few days we will read what he said/taught and share how Paul served the Lord. Join me as we continue in Acts 20. Have a wonderful day.

Bible Verse

“¹⁸ When they arrived he declared, “You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now ¹⁹ I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews. ²⁰ I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. ²¹ I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.

²² “And now I am bound by the Spirit^[f] to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me,  ²³ except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead.  ²⁴ But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” – Acts 20:18-24 NLT

Key Points:

• Paul shared the Good News of Jesus Christ publicly and in homes (house churches).
• He communicated with Jews and Greeks giving the same message “the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.“
• He was obedient to the Holy Spirit.
• In spite of the trials ahead he stayed the course – shared the Good News and faithfully served the Lord.

Reflection

Sisters and brothers, there is so much in these verses, but I will only touch on a few things. Paul was a leader who was humbly submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit. His actions were the necessary example that many believers needed then and today.

Paul admitted that his God-given mission had not been easy, but he knew the greater purpose of his suffering would result in many people being set free because they would learn, know about, and believe in Jesus Christ. Paul said “But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—“

Sisters and brothers, you are part of the Lord’s army. You have been and are being equipped and prepared for the things that lie ahead. You have a critical assignment to tell others that there is freedom in Christ Jesus, that there is salvation in Christ Jesus, that there is healing in Christ Jesus, and endless love and grace in Christ Jesus. Our assignment may be different but the mission and the message is the same – the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.

Ponder:

• What has the Holy Spirit been guiding you to do?
• What work has the Lord been beckoning you to finish?
• How will you serve the Lord and others today?

Stick to the mission and finish the work.

Prayer

Father God we thank you for today. We thank you for all the faithful servants who served you and gave their lives to ensure the message of the Good News of Jesus Christ was shared. Most of all we are grateful for Jesus. Without Jesus teaching us about the Father, without his sacrifice on the cross for our sins, without him rising on the third day we would all be lost, trapped in bondage, and without hope – spiritually dead. So, Lord, we praise and thank you for salvation and freedom. We thank you because we are alive in Christ Jesus. Lord, be with those who have served our nation, those serving, and family members of all those living and those who have died serving our nation. Lord, we are grateful. Continue to minister to us and teach us to love and honor you in every area of our lives. Make us bold and lead us to share the Good News with others. Heal our hearts and our nation. Disrupt the plans of those who plot against your word, your children, and plans for our lives. Lord, you are our only hope. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on You so that we will finish the work that you called/assigned us to. In Jesus name, amen.

Events

Our next virtual Women’s Retreat is Saturday, November 14, 2020 . In order to participate in the arts and crafts session and receive your supplies on time, we strongly advise that you register at least two weeks before the event.

Do you have a prayer request? We would love to pray for you. Send your prayer request to: prayerrequest@maryewhiteministries.com

Bible Reference: http://biblegateway.com

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