Be Totally His
Opening Prayer
Pray that the Good News of Jesus will spread throughout some country you’re especially interested in.
Read Acts 18:18-28
[18] Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken. [19] They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. [20] When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. [21] But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. [22] When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch. [23] After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. [24] Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. [25] He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. [26] He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. [27] When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. [28] For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How did this couple help Apollos and what were the results?Cenchrea affords Paul the opportunity for a haircut, but not just a quick trim! It was part of a ritual of cutting and burning his hair as a sign of sacrifice and commitment to God. Although he had promised to do this earlier (18), Paul kept his commitment, with hundreds of miles of road stretching ahead! So begins Paul’s third big journey with the Good News of Jesus (23). He revisits the churches he had set up on his first journey–his commitment to them is total, too. Meanwhile, Apollos is also on the road for Jesus, committed not only to telling as much as he knows about Jesus (25), but to being taught and mentored himself (26). This is a huge challenge to me. How committed am I to sharing the Good News, even when it’s really tough and the cost is high? Am I a bit of a fair weather Good News person? Paul might have been willing to sing: “Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee; / Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise” (Frances Ridley Havergal).
Apply
Ask yourself the question above about your commitment to sharing the Good News. How can you show or increase it?
Closing prayer
Lord, I don’t want to be a “fair weather, Good News person.” I want to be willing at all times.
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