Evening Scripture

Acts, Chapter 20

When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, where he stayed three months. 

Because some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia. He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. But we sailed from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.

On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead.

Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.

We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Chios. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day arrived at Miletus. 

Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost. From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 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.

Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

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. I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

Evening Reflection

I was 14 when the Lord called me away from being a veterinarian and into the unknown of being an author. To those of you who know me now, this isn’t a surprise. I’ve always loved to write. But little Amber also loved animals. It was hard to let go of the calling I thought I wanted for my life and pick up the one God created me for instead. And yet, a small whisper in my ear always reminds me that not only are His plans good, but they are best.

Now at 30, I wish I could tell you that following God’s calling is easy. The reality is it’s far from it. I’ve questioned my desires, explored other paths, and gotten lost more times than I can count. Especially when every person’s path is unique to them, it can be hard to stay the course. All of us will face seasons when we feel discouraged, distracted, uncertain, or tempted to give up. But Acts 20 reminds us that staying faithful to the calling God has given you (not your best friend or neighbor) will always produce fruitful results.

I don’t know what season you’re living in right now, but I know that God has called us to be faithful and obedient in it. My question isn’t what have you been called to do, but where? Where do you find yourself, and where have you felt challenged to remain faithful even when the path is difficult?

It might be challenging to answer, but when you think about your life, what distractions and fears are pulling your attention away from His calling on your life? Is it others’ opinions or your own doubts and insecurities? Is it discouragement or weariness from trying over and over again? In times like these, take time to reflect on how you’ve seen God’s faithfulness in your journey so far. What would it look like to take the next faithful step, even if you don't know the full path ahead?

This passage reminds us that just as Paul remained committed to God’s calling despite uncertainty, hardship, and opposition, so can we. Faithfulness isn’t about having all the answers but continuing to trust God one step at a time. God equips us for the work He calls us to do, so even when it’s hard, we’re called to stay the course. Our responsibility is obedience, but the results belong to Him.

As you prepare for rest, ask yourself:
How has God been inviting me to trust Him more deeply in my calling?
Where do I need courage to remain faithful?
What is the next step of obedience I can take tomorrow?

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Tonight, I want to thank you for the unique calling you’ve placed on my life. I lift up my hands and surrender my fears, doubts, and uncertainties to you, even when things are hard. I trust that you will guide and equip me for whatever comes next, and in the meantime, I will remain faithful to the work you’ve entrusted to me, one day at a time. I love, praise, and thank you, Lord.

Amen.

Agape, Amber.

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Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.

UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

Evening Scripture
Acts, Chapter 20
When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, where he stayed three months.&nbsp;
Because some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia. He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. But we sailed from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead.
Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be alarmed,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s alive!&rdquo; Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.
We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Chios. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day arrived at Miletus.&nbsp;
Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost. From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When they arrived, he said to them: &ldquo;You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 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 &mdash; the task of testifying to the good news of God&rsquo;s grace.
Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
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. I have not coveted anyone&rsquo;s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: &lsquo;It is more blessed to give than to receive.&rsquo;&rdquo;
When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
Evening Reflection
I was 14 when the Lord called me away from being a veterinarian and into the unknown of being an author. To those of you who know me now, this isn&rsquo;t a surprise. I&rsquo;ve always loved to write. But little Amber also loved animals. It was hard to let go of the calling I thought I wanted for my life and pick up the one God created me for instead. And yet, a small whisper in my ear always reminds me that not only are His plans good, but they are best.
Now at 30, I wish I could tell you that following God&rsquo;s calling is easy. The reality is it&rsquo;s far from it. I&rsquo;ve questioned my desires, explored other paths, and gotten lost more times than I can count. Especially when every person&rsquo;s path is unique to them, it can be hard to stay the course. All of us will face seasons when we feel discouraged, distracted, uncertain, or tempted to give up. But <a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/acts/20.html">Acts 20</a> reminds us that staying faithful to the calling God has given you (not your best friend or neighbor) will always produce fruitful results.
I don&rsquo;t know what season you&rsquo;re living in right now, but I know that God has called us to be faithful and obedient in it. My question isn&rsquo;t what have you been called to do, but where? Where do you find yourself, and where have you felt challenged to remain faithful even when the path is difficult?
It might be challenging to answer, but when you think about your life, what distractions and fears are pulling your attention away from His calling on your life? Is it others&rsquo; opinions or your own doubts and insecurities? Is it discouragement or weariness from trying over and over again? In times like these, take time to reflect on how you&rsquo;ve seen God&rsquo;s faithfulness in your journey so far. What would it look like to take the next faithful step, even if you don't know the full path ahead?
This passage reminds us that just as Paul remained committed to God&rsquo;s calling despite uncertainty, hardship, and opposition, so can we. Faithfulness isn&rsquo;t about having all the answers but continuing to trust God one step at a time. God equips us for the work He calls us to do, so even when it&rsquo;s hard, we&rsquo;re called to stay the course. Our responsibility is obedience, but the results belong to Him.
As you prepare for rest, ask yourself:
<ul>
<li>How has God been inviting me to trust Him more deeply in my calling?</li>
<li>Where do I need courage to remain faithful?</li>
<li>What is the next step of obedience I can take tomorrow?</li>
</ul>
Evening Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Tonight, I want to thank you for the unique calling you&rsquo;ve placed on my life. I lift up my hands and surrender my fears, doubts, and uncertainties to you, even when things are hard. I trust that you will guide and equip me for whatever comes next, and in the meantime, I will remain faithful to the work you&rsquo;ve entrusted to me, one day at a time. I love, praise, and thank you, Lord.
Amen.
Agape, Amber.
Want More?
Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/</a>&nbsp;
Click to Listen to Signs of Life: <a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was&mdash;and is&mdash;an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.
<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>

Your Nightly Scripture — 365-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God’s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.

Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.

Want more prayers and practical spiritual tips each week? We're excited to introduce The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ 

Your Nightly Scripture &mdash; 365-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God&rsquo;s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.
Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.
Want more prayers and practical spiritual tips each week? We're excited to introduce The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/</a>&nbsp;

Your Nightly Scripture

Staying Faithful to the Calling God Has Given Me (Acts 20)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/593d606c-c29b-4dc5-a2e3-b4e200f0c049/transcript