Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 262

September 19;       Acts 19:1;       108/260(III);       ‘Useability’

Acts 19:1 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples

Paul traveled to Ephesus and he found some disciples.  That has to mean that Paul was looking for some disciples.  Here is a profound truth that is so simple, yet many if not most Christians ignore.  You have to care about the work of the Lord and the salvation of the lost.  They are everywhere.  Hurting, confused, deceived humanity.  Here are a few things Paul did that we can do that will open the door for us to minister.  Paul was constantly praying.  That had to mean that each morning he prayed asking the Lord to lead him to those he could minister to.  One of the key ways Paul prayed was in other tongues.  He said he prayed in tongues more than anyone (I Corinthians 14:18).  One of the powerful things praying in tongues does is it builds up and ‘charges’ your spirit.  Paul was always ready to minister because he kept his spirit strong by praying in the Holy Spirit.  Paul was observant.  In Athens he saw a monument to the unknown god (Acts 17:23).  He used this monument to preach about Jesus.  Because of his prayer life and studious commitment Paul was sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Finally, nothing could stop Paul.  The continual persecution could not stop this man of God.  Jesus Christ saved Paul and now, knowing the truth about the God he served, the Lord faithfully regardless of what was done to him.  He tells us in Philippians 1:21 to live is Christ.  He proudly bore the scars for serving Jesus (Galatians 6:17). A true hero.