GOD’S WILL

Today’s Reading: Acts 21

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).

The three sealed-up arches (top middle) in the southern wall of Jerusalem’s Temple Mount mark the location of the ancient Huldah (“Triple”) Gate. At its base was a 200-foot-wide staircase that once carried pilgrims up to the Temple Mount at the three annual pilgrim festivals, Passover (Pesach), Pentecost (Shavuot) and Tabernacles (Sukkot).

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verse: Acts 21:8-9

On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.

“Paul….entered the Temple” (21:26). The three blocked up arches, seen faintly in the background of the photo above, accessed the Temple in Jesus’ day. In the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D., these were covered with debris and were found in preparing the foundation for the Al Aksa mosque, built just above the northern Temple wall. It’s hard for us to imagine what it was like 2,000 years ago. Paul and the Jerusalem church leaders were determined to remove any stumbling blocks (the matter of Paul’s Jewishness) which would hinder Jews from coming to Christ. Regardless of the consequences, we must do all in our power to take away anything that would keep others from coming to Christ.

It’s all about bringing others to the saving knowledge of Jesus. Philip’s four daughters are a great example of a family committed to winning the world for Jesus. Recently we considered Revelation 19:10b, “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” These girls testified for Jesus there in Caesarea where they lived. Think of how excited they must have been as Paul, Luke and others stayed in their home. The stories they heard encouraged them to continue their New Testament prophecy, testifying for Jesus. As we read those same stories, let’s share them with others.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, may I serve You, doing the right thing. Help me to do this, regardless of the consequences to me personally. Help me, like Paul, to submit to those who are in leadership in the church. Amen! (check out 1 Peter 2:11-25)

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’ve been blessed with people who exercise Godly and strong leadership in seeking to do the will of God in ministry. I’ve sought to move forward in harmony with the wisdom which is found in a “multitude of counsellors” (Proverbs 11:14). Having received counsel, I learned that they were not called of God to do the work…I was. Therefore, I had to commence and follow it through to its completion. I was ordained by the laying on of hands by my brothers back in the Spring of 1959 (1 Timothy 4:11-16). This was in the fellowship of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. The day came when those same leaders encouraged me to move into a ministry on behalf of the whole Church. I had no desire to be “independent.” I’ve never found that word in the Bible. Nevertheless, at the counsel of my brothers, I incorporated a separate ministry in order to do New Testament prophecy in the broadest way possible, bringing on a team of clergy from several different denominations. God honoured this move and a great many people have come to know Jesus as their Saviour and Lord. To God be all the credit and glory.

Yours for the glorious calling of winning all people to Jesus,

David