No More Goodbyes

In heaven, I will not miss saying goodbye. I will not miss moving or crowding into hospital rooms with tear filled eyes.

Paul made a special stop to see the Ephesians elders on his way to Jerusalem. They talked. They hugged. They cried. And they said goodbye.

There will be no more goodbyes in heaven. You will even rejoin those who have already departed. “And so we will always be with the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:17).

I can’t wait to go to heaven. I will not miss saying goodbye.

Reading: Acts 20-23

Fearless

Paul approached a people who embraced a plurality of ideas. They prized philosophies that were new and sensational. Their greatest rule: offend no one; accept all beliefs as equal.

This sounds surprisingly like society today. This presents a challenge when trying to share the gospel message. The Bible is seen as outdated, exclusive and, at times, ideologically taboo. So Christians are intimidated– they are afraid and Satan grins.

Paul was fearless, knowing that souls were at stake. He just altered his tactic. He didn’t address the audience as those who crowded a synagogue, carrying their firm belief in God in tow. He changed his method without changing his message.

Here are a few things that Paul did to fearlessly share the Gospel:

• Find a conversation starter. (Acts 17:22-23)
• Use common ground. (Acts 17:23, 28)
• Be concise. (Acts 17:24-28)
• State the importance. (Acts 17:29-31)
• End with hope. (Acts 17:31)