The beloved physician Luke wrote how Paul told the elders in Ephesus, “behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there”, and in chapter twenty and verse twenty-three of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul said, “save that the Holy Ghost witnesses in every city” where we read:
Save that the Holy Ghost witnesses in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
The verse begins, “Save that the Holy Ghost witnesses in every city, ...” Luke began with the words, “save that the Holy Ghost” which means “besides and except that the sacred, pure, morally blameless and religiously and spiritually consecrated third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, who is coequal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son” “witnesses” or “testifies, attests and confirms” “in every city” which means “within each, all, the whole and everyone of the dwelling places, habitations and abodes” the following words . Luke shared how “Paul” told the “Ephesian elders” that God's Holy Spirit testified the following in everyone of the cities he entered.
The verse goes on to say, “... saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.” Luke continued with the words, “saying that bonds” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming that shackles or bands” “and afflictions” or “and pressures, tribulations, distresses and straits” “abide me” which means “are to remain, sojourn, tarry and continue with Paul”. Luke shared “Paul” told the “Ephesian elders” that the “Holy Spirit” told people in the cities he visited that “shackles and distresses” awaited him when he came to “Jerusalem”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn that “Paul” understood through the words of the “Holy Spirit” to people in the various cities he visited that “bands and pressures” were waiting for him when he entered into “Jerusalem”. The “Holy Spirit” kept giving words of warning to the people in the cities “Paul” visited, and although he was told these things, “Paul” was determined to go to “Jerusalem” anyway. God loves everyone, and even when they are facing difficulties, He wants them to have faith and trust in His Son Jesus. When they surrender to Him, they will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and be directed by His Spirit to wherever His plan and purposes may lead.
Next time Luke shares how Paul says, “none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself”, 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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