ESOCS Devotional 4 February 2021
TEXT: ACTS 20:16-28
MEMORY VERSE: “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify of the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20: 24
Every true Christian who is hard working especially in the business of soul winning must know for certain that he is a sworn enemy of Satan the devil. We should therefore be prepared to face troubles, even life-threatening dangers: tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, sword. But let none of these separate us from the love of Christ (Rom. 8:35); and let none of them move us. The devil may fight you in your home to destroy your marriage, family, and joy. He may choose to attack your business, employment or source of income. He may even get to the very base of your spiritual life, the base of your faith, even the church, using either your superior or subordinates, or both to persecute, humiliate, harass, disgrace, and push you out of the church. Whatever front he chooses, whatever tactic he employs, no matter how deep his weapon cut into you, have faith that God is till on His throne and that in all trials He is with you. Resolve not to be moved.
Consider Apostle Paul who was a champion in evangelical exploits for the kingdom of God and the many afflictions he went through. Consider Job who was so righteous that God could boast of him saying, “that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright, one that feareth God and escheweth evil.” Yet, God released Job to the grievous persecution he went through in the hand of Satan. One great consolation we have with hindsight is that twice God charged Satan to spare Job’s life and not kill him (Job 1:12; 2:6). In all his troubles, Job was not moved but retained his integrity and faith in God. His latter end became greater than the first. Paul’s persecution was led, instigated, and orchestrated by his fellow Jews in the gentile world where he had his ministry. He faced persecution everywhere. Paul himself wrote of his sufferings in several verses of his letters (2 Tim. 3:10-11).
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
Paul was imprisoned several times. Now he determined to go to Jerusalem, persuaded by the Spirit, but the same Spirit spoke to prophets and brethren in every city where he preached and set up churches that great trouble, bonds and afflictions waited for him in Jerusalem. Yet, he would go there for the sake of the gospel. He was not moved by these messages, advise and sufferings he had gone through. One thing was certain: Paul valued his course and ministry more than his life. His joy was to finish his course and ministry; and this should be our focus.
CHALLENGES
Resolve to place your Christian faith, course, and ministry above your carrier, business, pleasure and even above your life.
PRAYER POINT
Pray God to give you the kind of faith, patience, perseverance He gave to Paul.
FURTHER READING: Acts 21:13; 2 Corinthians 4:1-16; 2 Timothy 4:7-8
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ESOCS Devotional 4 February 2021
