Welcome to Jill Hamming, a friend of mine from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and a regular participant on this web page. She will share her reflections on the readings from Acts 20-23.

Scripture: Acts 21:1-16

The elders are worried about how Paul will be treated in Jerusalem. Not just the Jews but even the Jewish converts will be angry with him because he does not obey all the old rules. The elders want Paul to join some men in their purification rites. That way Paul will look good to the people. These leaders were trying to find a way for Paul to not to be in trouble again. Paul did what they said. But he must have known that it would not work. The Lord had told him that hard times were coming! Paul could have run away but he chose to face it.
Can you imagine being in that angry crowd? What is it like to be beaten for Jesus’ sake? Perhaps Paul thought this was the day his earthly life would end –but it didn’t! God had further work for him to do…in prison.
We need to remember to pray and care for persecuted Christians all over the world. The Christians who come from Muslim families and who are treated as outcasts; the Christians in China, without work, imprisoned, beaten. Remember the missionaries whose lives are in danger.

Dear Lord, I wanted to thank-you that I live in a place where I don’t get beaten for speaking about You –but that sounds so selfish, why those in China and why not me? Lord I don’t know what I would do if to speak out meant a beating, because I am often afraid to speak now when it is maybe only disinterest I will get. Lord please make me bold to speak for You. And Lord please show me which persecuted Christians that You want me to pray for and keep me faithful to do so. Thank-you, Amen