Begin with two minutes of silence and stillness before God.
The Bible talks a lot about giving and generosity. At first, it is tempting to assume that God wants something from us. However, as we are generous, we begin to realize that God is not looking to get something from us; rather, He wants something for us. He knows the things we treasure also reveal the things that we worship with the allegiance of our hearts. Your generosity and your gifts change the lives of others.
At Venture, we also value the contribution of time and talents. For many of us, this is where we can make an even greater difference. For instance, Paul was probably not a wealthy individual, but he used his skills and his life for the mission of Jesus Christ.
This week, we are going to look at the life of Paul to see how his passion for Jesus and generosity intersected to make a lasting, eternal impact.
Now in chapter 21, the disciples in Tyre warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem because of the danger that awaited him. However, Paul put his own life on the back burner because he was more concerned about the Gospel of Jesus Christ reaching the people of the city. Through a series of events, Paul arrived in Jerusalem, where he preached about Jesus in the Synagogues. His message was not well-received, which led to Paul’s beating and eventual imprisonment.
Tomorrow we will pick up with Paul's speech before he is placed in jail.
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.