Riches Galore

Acts 20:2-4

The Message (MSG)

20 Then he came to Greece and stayed on for three months. Just as he was about to sail for Syria, the Jews cooked up a plot against him. So he went the other way, by land back through Macedonia, and gave them the slip. His companions for the journey were Sopater, son of Pyrrhus, from Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus, both Thessalonians; Gaius from Derbe; Timothy; and the two from western Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

As a missionary, Paul had to be on his "A" game all the time, alert for any signs of danger.  He walked closely with the Holy Spirit and on more than one occasion was prompted to take a different route or plan for different stops. Paul knew he was responsible for others on this trip, his companions were representatives of churches Paul had started in Asia.

We know that these ambassadors from their home churches were bringing gifts for the new believers and they wanted to hand deliver them. Having each man deliver the gift gave the gifts a personal touch and strengthened the unity of the believers. This was also an effective way to teach the church about giving.

One of the ways many of us participate in missions is by giving, either financially or with our prayers or other tangible offerings. But, when there is an opportunity to go personally and experience the joy of face to face encounters with people of other nations, we must do it.  The experience will change you forever.

I know, having been a part of five trips to Honduras, each one different and amazing in its own way.  I can remember so much of those trips.  I can see the children and the elderly.  The beautiful smiles and the heartbreaking poverty. It am stunned to this day when I remember how poor the folks are for material things, but how rich they are in Spirit.

What a lesson to learn and bring back home with me - you are only as poor as your attitude.

Acts 20:1-5

Shhhhhh,.... Listen.

Acts 16: 6-15

As Paul continued on his journey, he followed the guiding of the Holy Spirit. As I read this, I couldn’t help but think, “Why is it that the messages from the Lord were so clear to Paul, and many of us continue daily, asking God what direction He wants us to take without so much as a nudge?” How awesome would it be to have a crystal clear understanding of what God wants of us!

Acts 16 tells of Paul and his companions being kept by the Holy Spirit from going to the Province of Asia. It also says that the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to enter Bithynia, and that during the night Paul had a vision of a man in Macedonia begging him to come and help them. He was specifically guided as to what he should do, and what he should not do. It was very clear for Paul according to this scripture. If only our purpose and expectations were this obvious.

Perhaps Paul was more still and quiet, waiting for the Lord to speak to him than we are in our busy world. Maybe if we stopped to “Be still and know that He is God,” we would hear his whispers.

 I challenge you to quiet yourself, ruthlessly eliminate hurry, and listen. What harm could come of it? A task might go unfinished for a time, but just think of the eternal gift that could result. Our Lord waits for us to hear Him, but we cannot hear if we do not listen.

Read/Listen to Acts 16: 6-15