From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. (Acts 20: 17-19)
No doubt Demetrius, the other silversmiths who crafted statues of Artemis, and Jews who were jealous continued spreading false rumors and attacking Paul’s character after he left. We get an in-depth peek at Paul’s heart while he defends his ministry by reminding the elders of three important characteristics he displayed.
He consistently taught the Ephesians the whole time he was with them—no partying, playing games, or taking weekend excursions. Secondly, in serving the Lord with humility, he put their needs before his own and turned the other cheek when the artisans and Jews persecuted him. Thirdly, Paul served the Lord with tears because of severe testing by the plots of his Jewish opponents. To Paul, all Jews were family and their plots were a test. He loved them deeply and cried when they rejected Jesus.
Are we consistent with our goals to teach and encourage and follow up to confirm our success? Do we turn the other cheek and not get distracted by persecution and problems? When others mistreat us, do we confront them empathetically to discover the cause of their abuse? Do we consider their mistreatment a test to react godly?
Father, I praise You for imparting Your wisdom. Help me to consistently teach and/or encourage _________ and not get distracted from this goal. Assist me to discover why others mistreat me by approaching them empathetically. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
In all that we do we should consider our actions and how it may affect others. Sometimes we don’t think clearly enough and think something through before we do it or say it. We can’t control others but we can control ourselves and our reactions. If someone hurts us, I think we go through many emotions from feeling hurt to feeling angry. It is a hard thing to accept, someone hurting us, and trying to figure out the circumstances and why. I believe that God wants us to act with humility, which means being selfless and putting others first. Paul did this, putting others first. Preaching and teaching even though he knew his words would not be met with kindness and truth. With good reason, most of us avoid putting ourselves in situations that we know will be hurtful. Sometimes we need to take control and let someone know they are hurting us and why. Many times communication is the only way to really work something out. Not sitting back and being passive.
Ha. Ha. I’ve had a case of the not thinking clearlies this week as I said in my other reply before I read this. Thanks for your comments and letting me know I hurt you. Otherwise, I would’ve had no idea. Paul was an incredible man. Very few, if any, can do what he did. Only Jesus, I think. Love you, Sis. I’ve been praying for you all week. Blessings.
When I wrote this, I wasn’t thinking about what you said in the other devotion that hurt me. I was thinking about the hurtful situation that you are going through right now. I know it has to be hurtful, frustrating and discouraging. I am lifting you up in prayer and praying that there is a solution that is equitable. I love you, Jody!! Blessings.
Thanks so much for praying for me and being the caring sister that you are. The situation is discouraging, but God is working it out and lifting me up.