Devo Acts 20

Chapter 20
17From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18When they
arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you,
from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19I served the Lord with great
humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews.
20You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to
you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21I have declared to
both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in
our Lord Jesus. 22”And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem,
not knowing what will happen to me there. 23I only know that in every city the
Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24However, I
consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete
the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s
grace.

Meditation:
1. In his farewell to the elders of Ephesus, Paul describes himself as “serving the
Lord with all humility and with tears.” The Spiritual Formation Bible has the
definition of Service as: loving, thoughtful, active promotion of the good of others
and the causes of God in our world, through which we experience the many little
deaths of going beyond ourselves.
2. What impresses me the most in Paul’s commitment to the Lord?
3. How can I follow Paul’s example of service to “promote the good of others
and the causes of God in our world” this week?

Personal Note:
Paul ultimate serves the Lord with humility.  He was passionate in his service of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ.  Paul knew that he would continue to suffer if he were to continue the path and he was willing and compelled by the Holy Spirit to move forward.  He was willing to go to Jerusalem, which is a place of hostility to Paul.

How can I follow Paul's example to promote the good of others and the causes of God in our world?
Ministry is not a fun thing.  It takes time, patience, and sacrifice.  Paul was passionate about his work only because of his passionate love for Jesus Christ.  I would like to continue to develop a close and deep relationship with Jesus Christ.  It is not by my own effort, but by submitting and obeying the leading of the Holy Spirit.

After prayer, I would put what I received from God into concrete plans.  From the plans, I again pray to God to give me strength and courage to follow up with actions.  Let's continue to challenge each other to grow.