ACTS 20:20-21

You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

TO PONDER

Saying goodbye is never easy. The Apostle Paul knew this and these verses are part of his farewell speech to the Ephesian elders before he headed to Jerusalem. He knew the trials and the suffering that awaited him and that he would most probably die because of where he was going. So his final words to this congregation were to commend them to the Gospel and remind them that there is only one thing that is worth living for and dying for.

I wonder whether the good news, the gospel that you speak is worth living for and dying for? The gospel of social action? The gospel of political correctness? The gospel of ecological salvation? The gospel of moral or national reform? The gospel of always being right? None of these are worth dying for, because none of these will bring people into a relationship with Jesus who gives life for eternity. Only the good news of Jesus is worth living for, only the hope of Jesus is worth sharing, only the grace of Jesus is worth growing in for when all is said and done, the only thing that matters in life and death is Jesus.

Whatever is going on in your life today, or tomorrow, hold on to Jesus, for when you have him, you have everything, for every situation you face, for every circumstance you encounter, for every trial that you go through. Jesus, Jesus, only Jesus....may your hearts longing always be for Jesus.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, fill my life with your presence that in every situation, I may proclaim the good news I have in you. Amen.