KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Chapters: Acts 20-22
Message: Hindering The Will Of God
Hello My Friend,
“The will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot keep you.” I do not know who wrote the poem that contains that verse, but I do know that God’s will, while it may be strange sometimes, it is His grace that keeps us doing it. So, how do we know when we are in God’s will? God’s will often comes with a test of our faith, a challenge or two, and some of the most unusual circumstances. “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” – I Peter 4:1-2.
Did you ever feel like an outsider, like you never fit in no matter what group of people you get around, even among Christians? Well, there is a reason for that, and no you are not strange, look funny, or have some weird trait that people avoid you. You are set apart, chosen by Christ Himself to serve Him, and there are just some people, including Christians, that could hinder you so you look odd to them. Paul was a Jew before he got saved, immediately baptized, and started preaching Jesus. Now, after serving Christ for some time he was convinced he was to go to Jerusalem to die there as Jesus did, while in Troas he speaks to the people, reminding them that there are still souls to be saved, and gives them a warning that the wolves are coming.
“And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath 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. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” – Acts 20:25-31.
“to draw away disciples after them.” Most saved, born again Christians who walk with Christ daily truly want to follow the will of God, and it is amazing to see God working in our lives doing so. Knowing we are following the will of God can be a bit tricky sometimes because we are relying on His Word as well as the Holy Spirit to guide us, while it may seem like we are in His will, we may not be, sometimes it is the devil making us think we are. Now, as Paul continues on his journey to Jerusalem he spends some time with Philip in Caesarea, it was there that several people warned him not to go, but he still did not listen.
“Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden. And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, 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 the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. 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. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.” – Acts 21:3-4,10-13.
“The will of the Lord be done.” It does not have to be something sinful to take us out of the will of God, it is often our own reasoning that does. Paul truly thought he was to be captured and die in Jerusalem. Sometimes our heart blocks the Holy Spirit from allowing Him to get through to us, it seems so right, and all the signs point that it is from God, but it is not. Then He tries to send others to show us we need to listen, but even then we think it is just the devil trying to hinder us. The best way to know if what we are doing is in the will of God is to study the Scriptures. Find Scripture that relate to your issue and let the Holy Spirit guide you, if it is something that you cannot find, He will guide you to some kind of understanding. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” – Romans 8:26,27.
“because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Now, if we are still bound and determined to continue on our journey, even after the warnings, God will let us, but keep in mind, while He may let us take a detour, He always brings us back to where we are really supposed to be. God allowed Paul to be captured in Jerusalem, but He was not going to let him die there, he arrives in Jerusalem and was accepted, but there was a lot of confusion as to what it meant to be saved, even some Apostles convinced that they needed to be circumcised, and purified. They convince Paul to go through a purifying ceremony in order to enter the temple until the unbelieving Jews showed up and started telling them that he was preaching Jesus to the Gentiles. Paul stands before the elders giving his testimony.
“And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him. And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.” – Acts 22:17-22.
“Away with such a fellow from the earth:” Some people just do not believe that salvation is for all. I remember growing up that there was a great division between Catholics and Jews, it still goes on today, but now that the Muslims are becoming more open they are targeting all, not just Christians. It is sad, but that is the reality and it is only going to get worse as we get closer to Jesus returning. The unbelieving always want to stop the believers from teaching the truth, and yes, we will suffer quite in fulfilling the will of God, but He will see us through. “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” – II Timothy 2:12-16.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.” – Acts 22:10.
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, You chose me, I did not choose You, but You chose me, all because I knew something was missing in my life and it was nothing the world had to offer. Although I try to follow Your will I know that there are times where I am out of it, but also know that Your grace is sufficient enough for me to get back in it. Lord, lead me and guide me, help me to make the right decisions and to understand when You are simply trying to tell me that I need to stop what I have determined in my own will to do. I know I can do and endure all things through You as I keep my eyes and focus on You, not my suffering or reasoning. I love You Lord and pray in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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