July 1
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UNSTOPPABLE PAUL
A poem by ILMA
After saying farewell to the Ephesian elders, Paul sailed to island of Cos
The next day they reached Rhodes and then headed to Patara
They boarded a ship headed to Phoenicia and landed in Tyre in Syria
The ship unloaded its cargo and they went ashore and found local believers.
Paul and the rest stayed with the believers and they told him a prophecy
They prophesied through the Holy Spirit that he shouldn’t go to Jerusalem
When they returned to the ship at the end of the week, everyone left
They came down to the shore with the apostles, prayed and bid them goodbye.
The next stop after leaving Tyre was Ptolemais, where they stayed a day
The next day they went to Caesarea and stayed at Philip the Evangelist
Philip had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy
Several days later, Agabus who had the same prophecy begged Paul to stay.
Paul reminded all the believers that there is no need for weeping
He said that they are breaking his heart for he is ready for anything
He is willing not only to be jailed but also to die for the Lord’s sake
When Paul couldn’t be convinced, they let the Lord’s will be done.
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MEMORY VERSE
I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus. – Acts 21:13
Read: Acts 21:1-13
There is no one who can surpass the passion and faithfulness that Paul had to bring the Good News to both Jews and Gentiles alike. He was willing risk everything to continue his journey to Jerusalem even to be a prisoner or to die for Jesus.
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REFLECTION
• Will you be willing to take all the risk even your own life for the sake of Jesus?
• Why do you think Paul was unstoppable to go to Jerusalem despite knowing all the danger and risks?
Monthly Archives: July 2019
PAUL BIDS THE EPHESIAN LEADERS FAREWELL Poem Devotional
June 30
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PAUL BIDS THE EPHESIAN LEADERS FAREWELL
A poem by ILMA
Paul went by land to Assos, where he had arranged others to join him
The believers sailed with Paul and traveled by ship to Mitylene
The next day they sailed to the island of Kios to Samos to Miletus
Paul decided to sail on past Ephesus and didn’t want to stay in Asia.
Paul was rushing to get to Jerusalem for it was almost Pentecost Festival
When he landed at Miletus, he sent a message to the elders at Ephesus
He asked them to come and meet him and started telling them of his work
He reminded them doing the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears.
Paul said that he has one message for Jews and Greeks alike
The message is that they must repent from sin and turn to God
He told them that he is bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem
Paul emphasizes to them that he will finish the work assigned by Christ.
He reminds them to guard themselves and feed God’s people
He mentioned how he is not scared to die for he has done his work
He finished speaking and prayed with them and bid them goodbye
They were sad most of all then they escorted him down to the ship.
MEMORY VERSE
They all cried as they embraced and kissed him good-bye. – Acts 20:37
Read: Acts 20:13-38
When Paul was about to proceed to Jerusalem, he met up with all the Ephesian elders. We can witness how the Spirit of the Lord has used Paul to bring the Good News to the Ephesians and how these elders and leaders looked up to him who followed the call of the Lord to spread the Good News. It was a heart-warming farewell as Paul reminded them of all the things he has done for the Lord and pleaded them to continue the work he has started as he goes to Jerusalem.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think the elders treasured Paul’s ministry in Ephesus?
• Why was Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian leaders significant in his journey?