God's Holy Fire: 'Hard Times in the Spirit'

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Our Donation Drive Ends Tomorrow...

There's still time to give! We value and appreciate your support.

 Donate Now
[Paul, to the Ephesian elders at Miletus:] "But there is another urgency before me now. I feel compelled to go to Jerusalem. I'm completely in the dark about what will happen when I get there. I do know that it won't be any picnic, for the Holy Spirit has let me know repeatedly and clearly that there are hard times and imprisonment ahead."
— Acts 20:22-23 MSG

Key Thought

Paul faces an incredibly difficult dilemma: The Holy Spirit is drawing him to Jerusalem and yet warning him that hardships await him there. Too frequently we have all sorts of simplistic answers for difficult things that happen to God's people. These answers may work fine when those bad things happen to someone else, but they are quite inadequate when bad things happen to us. Paul's impending return to Jerusalem is filled with all sorts of difficulties, yet his return is necessary for him to accomplish God's mission - reconciling Gentile churches and the church in Jerusalem as well as his journeying on to Rome. Walking in the center of God's will and directly following the lead of the Holy Spirit does not necessarily mean that our lives will be easy. In fact, quite the opposite may be true. The goal of the Spirit in our lives is not our comfort, pleasure, or happiness; rather, it is to accomplish God's mission for us and to bring about Christ-likeness in us!

Today's Prayer

O Father, I appreciate the example of Paul as he faithfully goes to Jerusalem to do your will even though he knows tough times await him. Help me know and do your will no matter what circumstances I face, and help me know that you are going to use me to accomplish your will through those circumstances. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Spirit-Compelled
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"[Paul said,] "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.""
Authentic Ministry
Devo: Unstoppable!
"When [the elders of the Ephesian church] arrived [Paul] declared, "You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now I have..."
Paul's Reasons for the Road
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved Disciple, Paul had many reasons to be on the road. He traveled extensively all over the regions bordering the northern and eastern..."
The Heart of a Shepherd
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Precious Disciple, Paul was finally on his way back to Jerusalem. His trip had been delayed because of the plots against his life. So he had..."

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 20:22-23 MSG — "But there is another urgency before me now."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Psalm 112:1
"Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'The Company of Friends' (Mt. 26:36-38)
"Then Jesus went with [the apostles] to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, "Sit here while I go over there to pray." He took Peter and..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'The End Is Near' (Ph. 4:5)
"Dear Father, victorious deliverer, Everything points to the fact that we live in the last days, so let me not waste time sleeping. Salvation is..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Emil Brunner:
"Only at the cross of Christ does man see fully what it is that separates him from God; yet it is here alone that he perceives that he is no longer separated..."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations