The Spirit's warnings

Good evening friends,
Sorry for getting this out so late today; I just forgot to do it before I left the house this morning. This reading continues Paul’s conversation with the elders from Ephesus. Here his sense of the future comes into focus clearly. He faces uncertainty, but by the Spirit he expects to face persecution and imprisonment. He faces the situation with faith, hoping that God will keep him faithful in the trials he will face.

He uses his visit not only to remind them of his example but also to tell them that since his race is almost run it is time for them to step up in leadership. He reminds them of their commission to oversee Christ’s flock that has been committed to their care. I pray when God sends us trials we would face them with the courage and faith Paul shows here.

God bless,
Sam

Acts 20:22-28

22And now, as a captive to the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and persecutions are waiting for me. 24But I do not count my life of any value to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God’s grace.

25“And now I know that none of you, among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom, will ever see my face again. 26Therefore I declare to you this day that I am not responsible for the blood of any of you, 27for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. 28Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son.