Some thoughts on 'responding to prophecy' arising from my previous post on this topic.

Prophecy and Paul - First some background reading:
(1) Phil 4 vv 12-13 - easier said than done...
(2) 2 Cor 11 vv 22-33 - some earfull...

The passage I want to look at is:
Acts 20 v 13 to Acts 21 v 16

I see 3 types of people in the church.
(a) Those who were naturally concerned for Paul's safety.
(b) Those who had divine revelation that there was trouble ahead.
(c) Those who mixed divine revelation with natural concern and declared "thus says the Lord - do not go".

But Paul knew his calling.
But Paul knew his calling.

Do you know your calling?

At church recently someone spoke on Elijah - 'What are you (still?) doing here?'.
Another person spoke on Esther - '... you have come to the Kingdom for such a time as this ...'.

Do you know your calling?

I wonder what Paul's response was - he obviously pressed on, but...

(a) What practical preparations did he make? See 2 Ti 4 v 13.
Books, writing materials, clothes, food, money...
(b) How did he pray?
Circumstances of his arrest, the arresting officer (he had already met the beatup first sort), those on remand with him, the guard rota, for wisdom, for gentleness.

Do you know your calling?
Was Paul afraid?
Are you afraid of 2012?
What are your expectations?

Jesus promised '... my yoke is easy and my burden is light ...'. Is that true?
Could Paul say that that was true?
Jesus spoke on '... where your treasure is, there your heart will be also ...'

A while back someone at church spoke on 'Is Jesus a disappointment?'.
Having recovered from the shock of being asked a question one is not supposed to ask I suspose the answer is a resounding yes!
He does not do what I want, how I want it, when I want it, where I want it... - wrong motives, wrong expectations, treasure in wrong place ...

Do you know your calling?
Do you know where your treasure is?