GOD’S WILL
Suggested Reading: Acts 21
(click scripture link to read online)
The three sealed-up arches 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 2000 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 Rev. 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, 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 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” (Prov 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 through to its completion. I was ordained by the laying on of hands by my brothers back in the Spring of 1959 (1 Tim 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 the team clergy of 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
This chapter ends with Paul given permission to speak to the people. When following this blog, I don’t read ahead and am left anxious to read what he has said, again. I admire his fortitude, strength and conviction in the face of opposition and adversity. What a contrast from the beginning of this chapter, when he is travelling by sail and visiting brethren. It is clear, nothing was to hold Paul back pursuing his mission, by the leading of the Holy Spirit!
I too don’t read ahead. It is exciting to see where things go.
It is.
The story of Paul and his journeys are amazing. When you think of all the terrible adversities that he endured and yet survived to proclaim the gospel, his faith stronger than ever. He was a prophetic witness and steadfast proclaimer of the faith; an example to us all of someone who stood on the promises of the word and boldly proclaimed truth amid the storms of life.
My wife blessed me with this song written by Brenton Brown & Paul Baloche. I am sharing my blessing with you. When we stand on the solid rock of Jesus Christ and let Him lead us, as Paul did, we can weather the storms and adversities in our path. Praise God!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0b2GFdxuVk
Awesome song and video, Scott–thank you for posting it.
Amazing video capture, voice and lyrics! Thanks for sharing, Scott!
Thank you Scott for the Video we need to rely on God in every situation we are
good times, and hard times when we trust he will do what he said/say.
I am keeping you in my prayers David.
Lianne Hogg
Thank you, David, for following through and creating the ministry of Crossroads Christian Television. Through God, all things are possible! To God, be all the glory! Bless you!
Thanks for doing your blogs, David. I have been getting time to read them again. And thank you for posting the video, Scott, it reminded me of a time in my life in April 1967, when I was in a mid atlantic hurricane (force 12 gale) on a passenger ship. That was truly a time when God ministered His grace to me.