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“What Does God Want You to do?”

Acts 23:12

The next morning the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. More than forty men were involved in this plot. They went to the chief priests and elders and said, "We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here." But when the son of Paul's sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul.

Thoughts for Today:

I don't think it was a coincidence that Paul's nephew overheard of the plot to kill Paul. I believe it was all part of God's plan. Most of us at some point in our lives ask the question, "What is God's will for my life?" Or rather, "What does God want me specifically to do?" This can be a perplexing and complicated question, if we allow it to be.

In our previous devotion I related a story of how I came to participate in a mission trip to Nepal. What I didn't know at the time I agreed to go was that a non-English speaking pastor of a small church in the Annapurna region of Nepal had been earnestly praying for help in bringing God's message of forgiveness and salvation to people of the area. When we arrived unexpectedly, he fell on his knees and praised God for answering his prayer. It was no coincidence. God had worked to bring us at that time to Nepal in answer to the pastor's prayer. It was specific and exact. We just didn't know it before we left.

Before leaving for Nepal there were not a lot of details about our itinerary. God was in control and that was all we needed to know.

In our passage today, how different would the events have been if, when Paul's nephew was urged by God to somehow be within earshot of the men planning to kill Paul, he wanted more details, turned a deaf ear to God's call, or once there became fearful and left? I opened today's devotion with a question that we all ask at one time or another: "What does God specifically want me to do?" The answer is this: "With your eyes lifted to the Lord, what is on your heart? Will you do it without all the details or needing to know why?"

Questions to Ponder:

The Lord gave me an interest in travel and adventure, then sent me to Nepal specifically to save dozens of people for His kingdom. He also brought me back safely to tell you about it. Up until that time I could count on my fingers the number of people I had led to Christ. I wasn't qualified or proficient. I stumbled and bumbled my way explaining (through an interpreter) God's plan of reconciliation through His son Jesus Christ to the people of Nepal. The only thing I did was go. I yielded to God's will and the Holy Spirit's power. What is God urging you to do right now? It doesn't have to be big. In fact it's usually small to start: help someone load groceries into their car, call a friend or acquaintance to see how they are doing, or even walk the dog. With your eyes on the Lord, even the most ordinary activity can have an extraordinary impact for the Kingdom -- if we follow the leading of the Spirit. Paul's nephew was where God wanted him to be at just the right time. It was no accident. Where does God want you to be? What is the one thing on your heart right now? Will you do it?

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About the author

Pocket Devotions are written by Mike Brooks. A retired businessman, he is Moderator of South Shores church, leads the Deacon Board, serves on the finance committee, and he teaches a Men's Bible study and the Men's Ministry. Mike has a passion for evangelical missions. He is the husband of Sherry; the father of Ryan, Natalie, Krissy, Rebecca, and Amanda; the father-in-law of Ariel; and the grandfather of Conner and Christian.