Monday 10-24-16 Martínez,
Argentina
Today we read: Job 15 and Acts 19 -20
S. Acts 20:24 Paul is speaking “…my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the
work assigned me by the Lord Jesus — the work of telling others the Good News
about God's wonderful kindness and love.
Vs 25 "And now I know that none of you to whom I have
preached the Kingdom will ever see me again.”
Vs 36-38 When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with
them. They wept aloud as they embraced him in farewell, sad most of all because
he had said that they would never see him again. Then they accompanied him down
to the ship. NLT
O. The Apostle Paul had become a
spiritual father to many of these saintly leaders. He has literally poured his
life into them. Now he is saying a final good-bye and tears are pouring like a
river.
A. I have had to quit saying “final” good-byes,
because I keep coming back. Still many of these dear people to whom I am
ministering know that this could well be our final embrace… our last time on
this earth to enjoy fellowship. Last night was no exception. It happens every
night. I have been tightly embraced many times, wrapped in the arms of someone
who has just told me the story of how I was the instrument God used to bring
them to Jesus many years ago, or maybe just last week. Their bodies shake as
they weep with their head on my shoulder… and I cannot help myself… I weep with
them.
P. Yes, Lord Jesus, it could well be
our final embrace with tears before we, leaping with joy, hug them again over
on the other side. Every night I return to my borrowed apartment feeling
literally saturated with godly love. Little children run into my arms or
come to hug my legs. Grandmas tell me how they found Jesus when they were a
little child and Felipe sang about His love. Big men weep as they remind
me about some youth camp where they gave it all to Jesus. Thank you, Lord, for
the endless multitude of loving friends that You have given me. Amen.
Ralph
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