I found it diffucult to read Acts 20 this morning without tears:20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house,(Lord, have I shrunk back? Have I failed to speak when you have given me words to say?)24 "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.(Am I selfish Lord? Is my life about what I want? Me, Me, Me?)25 "And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face.26 "Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.27 "For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.(Am I innocent of the blood of all men? Have I declared the whole purpose of God or am I afraid of what man might think of me? Am I afraid to be called, “legalistic, a fanatic etc? Am I ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Do I speak only about the love of God and not repentance?)31 "Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.(Maybe Paul should have lightened up, joined the crowd, relaxed and had a good time. God forbid!)32 "And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.(Thank you Jesus for your Grace (divine influence on the heart).33 "I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes.34 "You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me.35 "In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’"36 When he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.37 And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him,38 grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they were accompanying him to the ship. Acts 20:20-38MBear
