Luke the beloved physician wrote how Paul told the elders in Ephesus, “You know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ”, and in chapter twenty and verse twenty-two of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul said, “I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem” where we read:
And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem,
not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
The verse begins, “And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, ...” Luke began with the words, “and now” which means “and at this present time”, “behold, I go bound” or “lo, look and consider, I, Paul, leave and depart under obligation and duty” “in the spirit” which means “with God's Holy Spirit” “unto Jerusalem” or “toward Jerusalem whose name means set you double peace and is the capital of Palestine”. Luke shared how “Paul” told the “Ephesian Christians” that he was “under obligation” by “God's Holy Spirit” to go to “Jerusalem”.
The verse continues, “... not knowing the things that shall befall me there:” Luke added the words, “not knowing” which means “in no way understanding, perceiving or being aware of” “the things that shall befall me” or “what circumstances or situations will happen to me, Paul” “there” which means “in Jerusalem”. Luke shared how “Paul” told the elders in Ephesus that he was unaware of what would happen to him when he came into “Jerusalem”.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” believed he was under obligation by God's Spirit to go to “Jerusalem” even though he was unaware of what would happen to him when he arrived. “Paul” received Jesus Christ as his personal “Savior and Lord” on the way to “Damascus” (See Acts 9), and he was directed by God's Spirit as he ministered wherever the “Lord” lead him. God's desire is to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they submit to Him, He will forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and lead them by His Spirit to fulfill His purposes and plans for their life. Let all who read these words yield to Jesus and be led by the “Spirit of God” regardless of what they discover wherever He directs their path.
Next time Luke shares how Paul says, “save that the Holy Ghost witnesses in every city”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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