Devo Acts 21

Chapter 21
10After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came
down from Judea. 11Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands
and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem
will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’ “ 12When
we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.
13Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready
not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord
Jesus.” 14When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will
be done.” 15After this, we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16Some of the
disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and brought us to the home of Manson,
where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus and one of the early disciples.

Meditation:
1. Believers in Caesarea pleaded Paul not to go to Jerusalem, but to no avail. So,
they said, “The Lord’s will be done.” Compare this with the Lord’s Prayer:
“your kingdom come, your will be done”; and Jesus’ prayer “Not my will, but
your will be done” in Gethsemane. Is there any similarity and difference?
2. How would this prayer explain who’s really in control of my life. Now, who’s
in charge of my life? Is God in his rightful place in my life, or is there another
“god” seated on that throne?

Personal Note:
I know many brothers and sisters are called to various mission fields (homeless ministries in the inner cities, oversea mission living with people in poverty, serving at risk homeless teenagers addicted to drugs and being exploited by sex trades, being a witness for Jesus in closed countries (Muslim/Buddist countries where practicing Christianity is punishable by death)...  In my heart, I feel that those people are putting their life at risk and why don't they do God's work in a safer manner...  As I get to know them, they shared that they are compelled by the Spirit to do what they are doing.  For my part, I am called to pray for them to fulfill God's will in their lives in spreading the Gospel.

I am called by God to devote my life to pastor.  Unless God is seated in the center of my heart, I cannot bear any fruit and please God.  Jesus said "This to to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."

How to apply this today?
I am working on reviewing and implementing action plans on achieving the goals of 2011 today.  We have seen God add to our numbers in Crossroad.  However, what really matters is the numbers being added to those who knows the Lord and become disciples of Jesus Christ.  As I pray and seek God for directions, pray that I will obey and follow despite challenges and difficulties.  I also pray for the brothers and sisters who are going off to various places to serve God: I pray that you will do God's will of witnessing for the Gospel.