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In the mad dash of following Christ, God had begun the process of warning Paul of what was ahead.  From his conversion, Paul knew that his mission was not going to end well,  But, Paul had discovered and realized that the mission of saving lives for Christ was exponentially  more important than even his safety.  So Paul spent time with the leaders he had discipled to prepare them for the mission ahead. he then prepared to return to Jerusalem, knowing the enemy awaited to destroy him.

The church is under attack.  Often, we are placed in positions that we are assured that our standing for Christ will not help our position in the World.  We are criticized, made fun of and in many cases persecuted, fired and even killed for the cause of Christ.  If we recognize that the journey with Christ will not end well and that we may face persecution–then we can honestly approach the journey trusting God to use us as he sees fit and execute his plan in our lives.  Paul said it best in Romans 8:18, “I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed to us!”  This is the Journey–not the destination.  We must focus on the destination and let God focus on the journey and the mission. 

God Bless You

And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.25 “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God,[a] which he bought with his own blood.[b] 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

32 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.