Watch and Remember - Acts 20:31

The beloved physician Luke wrote how Paul told the elders in Ephesus, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them”, and in chapter twenty and verse thirty-one of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul tells the Ephesians, “watch, and remember” where we read:

Therefore watch, and remember,

that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

The verse begins, “Therefore watch, and remember, ...” Luke began with the words, “Therefore watch” which means “then, wherefore, consequently and on this account be vigilant, give strict attention to, be cautious and active”, “and remember” or “and be mindful, call to mind, hold in memory and rehearse” the following”. Luke shared how “Paul” exhorted the “elders in the church of Ephesus” to “be vigilant and mindful” of the following idea.

The verse continues, “... that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” Luke added the words, “that by the space of three years” which means “that for a three year period of time” “I ceased not to warn everyone” or “I, Paul, did not leave off, desist or refrain from admonishing, exhorting and putting each, all, the whole and every person in the church of Ephesus” “night and day” which means “during the time when work ceases and the weary give themselves to slumber as well as during the time between dawn and sunset” “with tears” or “alongside crying tears and weeping”. Luke shred how “Paul” referred to his day by day and night by night tearful “warning and exhorting” the church in “Ephesus”.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we see “Paul's” exhortation for the “elders” and believers in the church in “Ephesus” to “observe” and recall that he was with them for a three year period of time wherein he did not stop or “refrain from admonishing” them concerning the principles of the Kingdom of God. “Paul” was so concerned for the church members in Ephesus that he “wept” over them. God loves people, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus. Jesus came to the world to die for the sins of mankind, and anyone who yields their life to Him will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life. “Paul's” care for the church in “Ephesus” became an example of God's love for people in the world, and those who are wise surrender to His Son Jesus and allow Him to “warn and exhort” them wherever they have need.

Next time Luke shares how Paul tells the Ephesians, “I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace”, 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".