Acts 20 Study - Day 7 "Finish the Race and Complete the Task"

Hello Everyone,

Keep praying for the makeover we discussed on day 6.  Watch for to change you from the inside out.  

Let's begin day 7.

"Finish the Race and Complete the Task"

SCRIPTURE

Acts 20:22-24

New International Version (NIV)

22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

OBSERVATION

There is so much to pull out of these three verses.  We will go over a few points but I encourage you to study on your own and meditate on the word.

1.  Paul says that he was compelled by the spirit to go to Jerusalem.  Back in Acts 20:2, 3 and 19, Paul says that he was being plotted against by the Jews and he was trying to avoid them, so you know it had to be the Holy Spirit that was compelling him to go to Jerusalem because he was not going to go.  Let's take a moment to look at Paul's obedience to God. The very place Paul was trying to avoid going to God said go!  Do we obey God when he wants us to do something we have purposely avoided or feared doing?  Paul's obedience when he doesn't know what will happen to him is amazing to me.  For those of us who are planners at heart, we struggle with not being able to know what is to happen next. (We have to rest in Jeremiah 29:11)

2.  Paul then talks about how the Holy Spirit warns him of what is to come.  (Acts 20:23) The Holy Spirit will warn you as well.  How you ask?  All I can say is that He will and you will defiantly know it is Him.  You must stay plugged into God through prayer and fasting to keep the lines of communication open between you and God.

3.  Knowing full well the dangers before him, Paul said his life is worth nothing as long as he, "may finish the race and complete the task..." (Acts 20:24)  WOW!!! Are we that committed to God and the task that He has given us to do? Regardless of the dangers, ridicules and misunderstandings we have a job to do.  The task Paul had, we still have to this very day, we are to "testify of the gospel of God's grace." (Acts 20:24)

If you are not sure of how to describe grace to someone here is an acronym by the late Pastor Adrian Rogers;

G - gifts

R - received

A - at 

C - Christ 

E - expense 

When we testify of God's grace we are testifying of the gifts of redemption, salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

APPLICATION

We know that all Believers in Jesus Christ have the purpose of sharing the gospel of God's grace.  Also each one of us has an individual task that God created us for.  Ask God to reveal yours to you.    

Look for opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with someone each day. Let them know that if they repent of their sins God will forgive them.  Then they confess that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead. Then they can ask Jesus to come into their hearts to be their Lord and Savior and they will be saved.  Hallelujah!

PRAYER

Dear God our Father, thank You for Your Son Jesus Christ.  Thank You for sending Him to save us through His death, burial and resurrection.  God help us to live for You and witness to others about Your grace.  Help us to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. God, help us to "finish the race and complete the task." (Acts 20:24) In Jesus' Name.  Amen. Thank You God. 

Prayer Requests

Greetings! I hope that each of you had a wonderful Christmas shared with family, friends and various loved ones. As we prepare to close out another year, let us be reminded of God's goodness, grace and mercy. Brothers and Sisters, I'm not sure of the type of year you might have had but glory be to God that we are still yet standing! We are still alive and well! We are still on the battlefield for our Lord Savior Jesus Christ!

I'm reaching out to you all and asking if there be any prayer requets or anything you're believing God for, in the new year, please feel free to contact me. Matthew 18:19 says "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven". So, let's make it happen!!!!!!!!

It's my prayer that God will continue to cover each and every one of you throughout this year. Love you all dearly!




God Bless,



Chaquita

Something for the Soul

Good Morning! Hoping each of you had a wonderful and joyous time with your loved ones over the holiday. Thanksgiving goes above and beyond the delicious food and gatherings; it's more so about giving the Lord thanks for all He has done. He continues to bestow his grace and mercy upon his people and we should thank Him for it. He continues to watch over us just like a mother bird and we should thank Him for it. Oh, how my soul loves the One who sits high and looks low. I love my sweet savior, Jesus!

Heavenly Father who art in heaven, walk with us today. We do not know what lies ahead but Father we put our trust in you knowing that you will continue to lead us and guide us all the day long. Father, you have our lives in our hands and we are reminded that all things work together for the good for those who love God. Lord, please provide direction and wisdom as we encounter various situations in our lives. Lord, we may not know how the situations are going to work out but we trust you. Lord, we don't know when the wait will end but we trust you. Father, you said, let the weak now say I am strong. We are strong in the name of the Lord! Father, continue to cover us with your blood. Shield and protect us from dangers seen and unseen. Give us a heart to love like you love. Help us to seek you, daily, without any selfish gains or motives. Let us be like a child, coming with a sincere heart and present our concerns unto you. Help us to be mindful in all our ways. Help us, Lord...Help us, Lord...Help us. Renew our minds and clean our hearts so we may continue to be the light in a dying world; in our churches; in our families; on our jobs. Father, send your angels to comfort the families who have lost loved ones; to the single parent; to the one going through a divorce; to the service men and women; to the one with marital problems; to the sick and lost; to the depressed...send your angels, in the name of Jesus!

Let us continue to be reminded that your word said you would never leave us or forsake us. Lord, we love you today and we thank you for all that you have done and what you continue to do for us. In Jesus name, we pray, Amen!

So my brothers and sisters, may you continue to trust in the One who made the heavens and earth. Believe that God knows your heart and concerns before you even come to Him in prayer. I pray each of you will have a blessed week and until we meet again, Be Encouraged!




Love,


Chaquita

Hands of Protection

Good Afternoon!

As I was going about my daily routine at work, I reflected on God's protection. Most of us do not realize how God's hands shield us from danger each and everyday. It's amazing how wonderful we can venture off to our various destinations and know that someone is covering us wherever we may go. The scripture II Corinthians 12:9 "And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

Grace enables you to endure hardship like a good soldier. No matter what hurdles  you face, no matter how many times you fail, GRACE allows you to stand! God's incredible grace is there to lift you up, revive the lost, heal the broken hearted, and to strengthen your weak will. It never spoils and it has no expiration date. HALLELUJAH!!!

Whatever you're facing on today, it is God's grace and His Hands of Protection that will guide you through. If I may, I would love to leave you with this prayer:

Father God, we come before you today to say Thank You for blessing us to make it through another day. Father, we love that you are ever so mindful of our thoughts and desires. Lord, I lift up each and every brother and sister that may be facing obstacles on today and call down your help to come and rescue your people. Lord, we thank you for your help. Lord, we bind each and every demonic spirit and satanic attacks that try to come against your people. Lord, you said, when the enemy comes in like a flood, you will lift up a standard. So we say Thank You! Thank you that your blood is covering us. Lord, we thank you for covering our minds! We thank you for covering our families, our friends, our household, our children and our communities. Lord we're glad that we serve a God that needs no appointments. God, we love you so much...we love you Father...we love you. Be blessed my sisters and brothers. In Jesus' name, Amen!


Love,


Chaquita:)