Daily Reading: Acts 20
Scripture Focus: If only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus... (Acts 20.24)
Devotional Thought: My wife, Lana, is a finisher. When she says she's going to do something, she starts it. When she starts a job, she finishes it. And, not only finishes it, but she is going to do it right. In a day when commitment to the church is waning, Lana is a shining example of following through for the Lord.
The Apostle Paul felt that way about his life and ministry. As he made his way toward Jerusalem, for what he sensed would be his last visit there, he called together the elders of the church in Ephesus. He wanted to clear some things up for them, but along with his instructions, he also used the meeting as an opportunity to teach about finishing the course.
When Paul was saved, he received a ministry from the Lord. He was to be the Apostle to the Gentiles. Paul never wavered from that calling. He told the Ephesian elders that that was the most important thing to him. He didn't care about hardships and persecution. He worried not about acceptance or rejection. He only want to finish his course and do what Jesus had given him to do.
All of us have been given a job in the Kingdom (see 1 Corinthians 12), but are all of us fulfilling that calling? How about you? Are you passionate about fulfilling the ministry that Jesus has given you? Is your desire reflected in the words of the old hymn: "What He says we will do; Where He sends, we will go, Never fear, only trust and obey."
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for giving me purpose and significance in this life and for eternity. Help me, Lord, to remember the wisdom in these words: "Only one life; 'twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last." Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 72.1-7
1 Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son! 2 May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice! 3 Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness! 4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!
5 May they fear you while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations! 6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth! 7 In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!
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