IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

For the Name of the Lord Jesus

Date: Oct. 23, 2025

Passage

Acts 21:1-16 (ESV)

And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.

When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. 10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

15 After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 21:14

And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

Having left the Ephesian elders behind, Paul and his companions sailed from Miletus for their final destination, Jerusalem. As they traveled, they sought out the disciples in the port cities they landed at to have fellowship and pray together. They loved Paul. Because of their love for him, they were deeply concerned. The Holy Spirit let the believers know what trials would come to Paul but did not direct him to avoid them. That would have contradicted the words of our Lord Jesus: “...whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it” (Mk 8:35b).

The disciples who loved Paul could not dissuade him from going to Jerusalem where God’s enemies awaited him. Paul appreciated their love and concern for him but decided enough was enough. He said, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (13). Solomon said, “Love is as strong as death” (Song of Songs 8:6). But Paul showed that his love for Jesus was stronger than death. He knew what he would die for, and thus, knew for certain what he lived for.

Prayer: Father, thank you for giving me Paul’s example of having a clear purpose and meaning of life. May I love Jesus my Lord and Savior more than anything in the world, even my life. Amen.

One Word: “To live is Christ and to die is gain” (Ph. 1:21)

Daily Bread

Hezekiah Restored the Temple

2 Chronicles 29:1-19

Key Verse: 29:18

Then they went in to Hezekiah the king and said, “We have cleansed all the house of the LORD, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the table for the showbread and all its utensils.

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