“All in A Life’s Work” A SOAP Journal Based on Acts 18 S = Acts 18:1-4 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, 3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. O = Paul, though a minister had another source of income—tent making. Despite being entitled to financial support, he practiced his trade so that no one could accuse him of preaching for his own financial gain. It seems clear that Paul saw his business connections as an element of his mission. It is no mere twist of fate that a persecution of Jews had caused Aquila and Priscilla to relocate from Rome to Corinth. God used events to move people to the very places where they most needed to be. Finally, I observe from this passage that Paul was not satisfied with merely earning a living from his work. He used his “job” to further his ministry in the synagogues and evangelistic efforts to both Jews and Greeks. A = Do I become bitter and disillusioned when circumstances upset my world, or do I look forward to the new learning and partnerships that the Lord will bring about? Do I focus on “getting mine” in the sphere of business or of working hard at what God gives me to do so that I can bless and serve others? These two questions serve as guides for my life. If I answer one way it is sure that I will neither finish well nor leave a positive mark on the world for having passed through. If I answer the other way, even this week in the midst of what I face, I will be running well and be an encouragement to others that the Lord will remember. This week I hope to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit though the road may be bumpy. While engaging in the work of this world, may I not neglect the work of heaven and may I come to see both as ordained by God… no task too small and no calling too big! P = O Lord, you know I have not been this way before. Help me to live in light of your larger plan, your spreading goodness, that I often can’t understand. Place me and use me for your kingdom’s purposes. Please allow my life to encourage and instruct others to be strong in your grace and not in their own efforts—but if possible, I pray that I might not be “the bad example” they shouldnt follow. I look forward, in faith, to seeing how all this works out. Amen.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 22:15:29 +0000
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