Acts 21:1-26
Today’s Passage: Acts 21:1-26
Two questions come to my mind as I meditate on this passage. These two questions will set the trajectory of our lives. They will show us who or what we live for. They will show us if we have our priorities in alignment with God. These two questions, if we take them seriously, show us a lot about ourselves.
QUESTION ONE: WHAT ARE WE WILLING TO DIE FOR?
Here Paul is. He sailed away from Ephesus and ultimately came to Ptolemais. It was told to Him that if he went to Jerusalem he would face EXTREME persecution… What would you do? What would I do?
We would have run the other direction. We would have been like Jonah. But not Paul. Look at his response…
13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
He was ready to die for Jesus because Jesus is who he lived his life for. His words echoed what he said in the previous chapter…
24 But 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. / Acts 20:24
I think we need to honestly assess our hearts… what would we die for? Is God on that list?
QUESTION TWO: WHAT KIND OF IMPACT CAN MY LIFE HAVE?
I think that every single one of us wants to go through life and leave a legacy. We want to make a tangible impact but the truth of the matter is… very few will. Impact does not happen on accident. Impact happens on purpose.
Paul’s life left an impact. He was misunderstood but he left an impact. He helped the gentiles receive the gospel of Jesus and he helped them follow Jesus. We are of gentile descent. Many of us are here as a direct result of Paul.
Again, he was misunderstood. He was ultimately arrested. But often leaders will be. Leaders create friction. Friction creates movement. Movement creates change. Leaders have to be able to answer the question… What kind of impact can my life have? They have to make sure it is aligned with God’s word. Then they have to go for it.
Spend some time today. Write these two out and spend some time answering them. Fight for a right heart. Fight for vision. Fight for impact. And then ask God to use you and thank Him for all He is going to do in and through your life.
Written by: Nick Parsons
Two questions come to my mind as I meditate on this passage. These two questions will set the trajectory of our lives. They will show us who or what we live for. They will show us if we have our priorities in alignment with God. These two questions, if we take them seriously, show us a lot about ourselves.
QUESTION ONE: WHAT ARE WE WILLING TO DIE FOR?
Here Paul is. He sailed away from Ephesus and ultimately came to Ptolemais. It was told to Him that if he went to Jerusalem he would face EXTREME persecution… What would you do? What would I do?
We would have run the other direction. We would have been like Jonah. But not Paul. Look at his response…
13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
He was ready to die for Jesus because Jesus is who he lived his life for. His words echoed what he said in the previous chapter…
24 But 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. / Acts 20:24
I think we need to honestly assess our hearts… what would we die for? Is God on that list?
QUESTION TWO: WHAT KIND OF IMPACT CAN MY LIFE HAVE?
I think that every single one of us wants to go through life and leave a legacy. We want to make a tangible impact but the truth of the matter is… very few will. Impact does not happen on accident. Impact happens on purpose.
Paul’s life left an impact. He was misunderstood but he left an impact. He helped the gentiles receive the gospel of Jesus and he helped them follow Jesus. We are of gentile descent. Many of us are here as a direct result of Paul.
Again, he was misunderstood. He was ultimately arrested. But often leaders will be. Leaders create friction. Friction creates movement. Movement creates change. Leaders have to be able to answer the question… What kind of impact can my life have? They have to make sure it is aligned with God’s word. Then they have to go for it.
Spend some time today. Write these two out and spend some time answering them. Fight for a right heart. Fight for vision. Fight for impact. And then ask God to use you and thank Him for all He is going to do in and through your life.
Written by: Nick Parsons
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