"I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me."
Acts 20:23 NIV
Yesterday we saw that Paul felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem. This was not on the most safe city lists for Paul. With the Jews growing rejection of Christ, and with Paul's fervor for telling the "Good News" of Christ, he was a marked man in Jerusalem. Still, Paul follows the Lord's leading and sets out for Jerusalem.
What I find interesting about today's scripture is that Paul knew he was going to face "prison and hardships". He knew life was going to be difficult if he obeyed God. And, still, He obeyed! He obeyed when he knew that a cold, dark, jail cell awaited him. He obeyed when he knew the beatings awaited him. He obeyed when he knew rejection and hatred awaited him. Paul obeyed even when he knew the comforts of life were going to be taken from him.
The question that begs to be asked is this: Would you and I obey God if we knew for sure that doing so would make life uncomfortable, even dangerous? I don't know about you, but I like the comforts of my home. I like having neighbors and friends around who embrace my faith. It is nice to live in an area of the world where I can freely attend church.
Sure, I could always face rejection if I tell someone about my relationship with Jesus, but maybe it would change his or her life and he or she would be forever grateful. Would I tell him or her if I KNEW I would face rejection? Would I tell him or her if it meant I might spend time in jail?
If you and I want to be more like Christ, we may have to get out of our comfort zones. To be fully obedient to God, we may have to do things we wouldn't necessarily pick for ourselves. We may have to go places we wouldn't want to go.
The successful Christian life, lived in obedience to God, often requires us to place our faith, not in our comforts, but in our Comforter; in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
For more of my thoughts, check out my personal blog at
http://www.ronedmondson.com where I write on issues such as marriage, parenting, church and leadership.
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Mustard Seed Ministry is reaching around the world with Biblical truths. The ministry is designed to spur the Christian from the smallest amount of faith, onto spiritual growth and maturity. This ministry goes places the church cannot enter. If you would like to support the work of this ministry, send contributions to Mustard Seed Ministry, PO Box 3698, Clarksville, TN 37043, or through Pay Pal (www.paypal.com) to
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I may not see in front of me, But I can see for miles around when I look over my shoulder, and Lord, it`s clear. You`ve brought me here, So faithful every step of the way. What can I do but follow you, For You are the Way, the Truth, the Life, And You`ve promised never to leave me, My Savior, my friend, From beginning to end. 
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