Acts 20:18-35 (English Standard Version)
18And when they came to him, he said to them:
"You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, 27for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. 32And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak andBD)" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; "> remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
The fist part of this passage Paul talks about his ministry. He has ministered publicly. I find myself comforting myself with saying my actions will eventually point people to God. No, I need to preach His word using words. I need to be bold in my faith like Paul. Paul preached to both Jews and Gentiles. Some people are called to ministry to those already covered by the blood of Christ and others are called to ministry to those who have no idea who God is. My point is that we/I are/am called to ministry. I want my words and actions to mean something. Did I show others the gospel? Did my life reflect what Christ would want from my life? Probably not, but we have a powerful God who loves to take the weak things in this world and use them. May He do so with me. This is why I take comfort in this verse:
The second part of this passage Paul takes time to warn and guide the Ephesians. Beware of people who would twist God's truth. Beware of doing it yourselves. Don't be materialistic. Provide for yourselves and don't covet. Yet God's grace will still be with you and me as we run the race that God has given us to run.
Dear Father, give me a clear path. Help me train and build me up with Your rightouesness so that I may run the race that You would have me run. Give me strength of will and character so that I will not back down against Your enemines. Give me Your truth so that I will not distorte or twist the truth that You would have me spread. Give me courage to speak the words and behave as You would have me. Mold me into Your character, Father. Keep me from sinning, that I might harm no one. In Your Son's Name, Amen.
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