Where are we?
Paul is at the end of his 3rd missionary journey and his heading back to Jerusalem.
Today we pick up the devotion series in Acts 21.
Reading: Acts 21
We find Paul heading back to Jerusalem at the end of this final ministry journey. He stops at several places and spends time with the different believers in the towns. Twice in this chapter we read that people are given visions and prophesies of Paul being arrested and beaten. Yet, he doesn’t listen to them and plows on to Jerusalem. Where ultimately the visions come true.
Question
Is Paul ignoring the Holy Spirit?
No.
I think Paul knows what is before him, but his resolve and faith is placed in Jesus. Then even beatings, riots and arrest weren’t going to stop him from achieving his God given destiny.
Notice with Paul, every time he stepped out, stepped up and gone to a new level, he’s always been met with hardship, pain and testing.
We all know that walking with God is never the smoothest.
Remember Paul was put in prison over and over, flogged an uncounted number of times, faced death over and over, received 39 lashes from the Jews five times, was beaten with rods three times, stoned once, shipwrecked three times and spent a day and night in the sea.
If Paul had a catchphrase for his life I think it would of have been: New Levels – New Devils
As true as this statement was for Paul, I believe it’s true for us today.
As we step out in faith, choose to believe God for more. As we go to our new level, there are going to be things that are going to try and stop us.
So as I choose to trust
As I choose to stay the course.
As I choose to put God first.
As I go to new levels.
There’s going to be backlash, but all of this fails in comparison to a God who has far more for us.
I pray that you will always stay the course and reach your new level.
Contributed by Ps Richard