If anyone has had cause for bitterness, for skepticism, for indifference toward men, surely Paul did. Persecuted, imprisoned, plotted against, the man was a continual target for unjust treatment. And yet we see time and time again that Paul’s desire was for the very men who were mistreating him to come into a saving relationship with his Lord. It’s easy to begin to see him as super-human, but he wasn’t. He wept. He wondered. He got hungry and tired and probably irritable. But he sought to live at peace – to neither offend nor to be offended. If he wasn’t super-human, there is only one way he could have lived in such a way – the very power of God dwelling in him through the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote in Romans 5:5: “the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” That same Spirit dwells in us as believers. Lord, fill us with Your love, through Your Spirit, that it might overflow to those around us regardless of our circumstance.

If anyone has had cause for bitterness, for skepticism, for indifference toward men, surely Paul did. Persecuted, imprisoned, plotted against, the man was a continual target for unjust treatment. And yet we see time and time again that Paul’s desire was for the very men who were mistreating him to come into a saving relationship with his Lord. It’s easy to begin to see him as super-human, but he wasn’t. He wept. He wondered. He got hungry and tired and probably irritable. But he sought to live at peace – to neither offend nor to be offended. If he wasn’t super-human, there is only one way he could have lived in such a way – the very power of God dwelling in him through the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote in Romans 5:5: “the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” That same Spirit dwells in us as believers. Lord, fill us with Your love, through Your Spirit, that it might overflow to those around us regardless of our circumstance.

Jesus' ministry receives more opposition in today's text as a delegation from Jerusalem approaches to criticize the practices of his disciples. But Jesus turns the tables on them as he explains that man's uncleanliness doesn't come from without but from within.

Paul wrote his letter to the Philippian church during his first imprisonment in Rome. He was sent there after his arrest for preaching the gospel during his third missionary journey. Yet this letter is characterized by joy and encouragement. That's a radically different attitude than one would expect given Paul's circumstances. The basis for Paul's response in his adversity has profound implications for all believers, and teaches us how to live lives that demonstrate the transforming power of the gospel.

In spite of the warnings, Paul marched boldly on to Jerusalem, “ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13). He didn’t walk naively or defiantly. He went willingly. He went courageously. Words of the Lord from Joshua 1:9 ring in my ears: “Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Here we have an example of that. Wherever you walk this week, whatever you encounter, I pray you know the presence of the One who goes with you. I pray the Lord makes Himself particularly tangible to you and to me. He did it for Joshua. He did it for Paul. He loves us no less.

In spite of the warnings, Paul marched boldly on to Jerusalem, “ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13). He didn’t walk naively or defiantly. He went willingly. He went courageously. Words of the Lord from Joshua 1:9 ring in my ears: “Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Here we have an example of that. Wherever you walk this week, whatever you encounter, I pray you know the presence of the One who goes with you. I pray the Lord makes Himself particularly tangible to you and to me. He did it for Joshua. He did it for Paul. He loves us no less.

We come to the end of the epistle of First John, and the Apostle John closes with these words: "Little children, keep yourself from idols."

May this be our privilege; that we be kept from all idols and false doctrines, and from the idolatrous love of worldly objects, kept by the power of God, through faith, unto eternal salvation in Jesus Christ, the resurrected Son of God.

A close look at the Joseph of Arimathea and his gift of a burial tomb for Jesus.

Although Luke focused primarily on Paul’s journey and ministry in this latter part of Acts, we will see this week that Paul had many co-laborers whom he loved dearly and respected greatly. Part of Paul’s mission was to equip other leaders, encouraging them also to continue making disciples and ministering to the church of God. Though we might think he cast a large and looming shadow, he didn’t expect others to dwell there. Instead, he invited them into the shadow of the Almighty and encouraged them to find their lives and purposes there.

It is easy and tempting at times to fall into the shadow of another. As we witness Paul’s encouragement, may we see an invitation to find ourselves only in the shadow of the Almighty, to find our lives and purposes in Him alone.

Although Luke focused primarily on Paul’s journey and ministry in this latter part of Acts, we will see this week that Paul had many co-laborers whom he loved dearly and respected greatly. Part of Paul’s mission was to equip other leaders, encouraging them also to continue making disciples and ministering to the church of God. Though we might think he cast a large and looming shadow, he didn’t expect others to dwell there. Instead, he invited them into the shadow of the Almighty and encouraged them to find their lives and purposes there.

It is easy and tempting at times to fall into the shadow of another. As we witness Paul’s encouragement, may we see an invitation to find ourselves only in the shadow of the Almighty, to find our lives and purposes in Him alone.