“Then Paul answered, what mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? For I am ready not to be bound only: but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” – Acts 21: 13.
LIGHT FOR NOW: The Gospel is a cause worth more than life
Beloved, the Gospel is a cause worth more than life; hence, everything about our lives, everything we say and do, should be filled with passion for Christ and His eternal message of salvation to mankind. The Bible shows that there’s no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12) and since this is true, then there’s so much at stake; in your commitment to the Gospel, be like Paul. You’re the one that God has entrusted with everything to save men’s lives from hell, and carry the bloodstained banner of Jesus Christ around the world. This is the only way to emulate the Master. There are many who have vowed that even if it will mean them walking through the valleys, and hills, and mountains of this world, and never having a place to stay; they wouldn’t care, as far as the Gospel is preached. Personally, as a believer, I have made up my mind that since preaching the Gospel is the right course, I am going all out for it; I have made a decision that nothing is strong enough to stop me; no offers on earth would distract me from the Gospel. It is a course worth more than life, and it doesn’t matter to me what becomes of me for preaching it. Apostle Paul was a man of conviction and dedication; he believed and stood his ground for the Gospel of Jesus Christ handed to him. Nothing mattered to him but the preaching of the Gospel, as we can see both in his words and actions. According to our theme text, while Paul was in Philip’s house, a certain prophet named Agabus took his girdle, and bound his hands and feet saying, “Thus saith the Holy ghost, so shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of Gentiles” (Acts 21:11). The people in Philip’s house tried to stop Paul from going to Jerusalem but he wouldn’t give heed.
Remember, earlier in chapter 20, while admonishing, the brethren at Ephesus before his departure; (he stayed with them for a space of three years, teaching them day and night). He boldly told them: “And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide in me. But none of these things move me, neither count my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20: 22-24). You see, even before the prophecy came to Paul in the house of Philip, he had already prepared his mind to face anything that will come his way for the sake of the Gospel. He said he was not only ready to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus – strong words. This is as inspiring as Jesus’ life’s account on earth. Jesus worked, talked and demonstrated the power of God to humanity in a way that no one had ever done. We are to carry on what Jesus did; we’ve been entrusted with the message of the kingdom; we must live on earth with a sense of responsibility. Thanks be unto God, because in Christ we’ve received strength as the scriptures says, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly”(Romans 5:6). You’re now turned on from within, capable of doing unimaginable things for the kingdom; you should be bold, courageous and audacious in faith. You have nothing to fear; no impossibilities; no limitations. He causes us to triumph always in Christ as we make manifest the savour of His knowledge in every place and in every situation (2 Corinthians 2:14). Glory!
INSTRUCTION: Never take the work of training and evangelizing in vain.
PRAYER: I affirm that I have and operate with the mind of Christ always, preaching the Gospel of Christ everywhere I go-GLORY!
QUOTE: It requires guts to preach the gospel.
DAILY READING: MORNING: 1CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 15; EVENING: 2CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 15
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 