A Passion to Connect
- Baptist Daily Devotional
- Jan 2
- 2 min read
Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | January 2 2026 | Acts 21:1-6
KEY VERSE: “We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem.”(Acts 21:4, NIV)
MESSAGE:
As we reflected in “Farewell to Forward Movement,” every God-directed journey starts with obedience - sometimes painful, sometimes uncertain, but always purposeful. Yet God never calls us to walk the path of obedience in isolation. Acts 21:3-4 reminds us that divine journeys are strengthened through divine relationships. As Paul continues toward Jerusalem, we discover that obedience naturally leads to connection - a Spirit-orchestrated fellowship that encourages, guides, and sustains us along the way. This brings us to our next focus: developing a passion to connect with the people God places along our path. Lessons from today’s passage include:
Paul Connected Intentionally. “We sought out the disciples” (v. 4a). Paul did not wait for relationships to fall into place; he sought them out. The Greek phrase implies deliberate searching - he made it a priority. Spiritual growth is richer when we pursue community instead of waiting for it to find us. Christian fellowship must be intentional, not accidental.
Paul Connected Purposefully - “And stayed with them…” (v. 4b). He didn’t just greet the believers and move on - he stayed, shared life, listened, and encouraged. The biblical connection is not shallow; it is a relational investment. In a busy world, the greatest gift you can offer fellow believers is your presence. Ministry happens through proximity.
Paul Connected Spiritually - “Through the Spirit they urged Paul…” (v. 4c). In that fellowship, the Holy Spirit spoke. Their gathering was not a social networking event; it was a Spirit-filled encounter. When believers gather, the Spirit speaks, warns, strengthens, and guides. True Christian connection should ignite spiritual sensitivity - sharpening us, cautioning us, and aligning us with God’s will.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Commit to consistent Christian fellowship (church, small group, ministry team). A believer who refuses connection starves spiritually; a believer who pursues connection grows steadily by the strength of God’s family.
PRAYER:
Father, thank You for the gift of Christian fellowship. Give me a passion to connect with the believers You have placed around me. Deliver me from isolation and help me seek out meaningful, Spirit-filled relationships. Use me to strengthen others and allow others to strengthen me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING
DAILY word study: SOUGHT OUT The phrase “we sought out the disciples” derives from the Greek aneuróntes, meaning “to search carefully, to find after deliberate effort.” It suggests purposeful action rather than a casual encounter.
Paul did not wait for fellowship to come to him. Even while travelling under pressure and uncertainty, he intentionally looked for believers. This shows that the Christian community is something we pursue, not something we drift into.
Reflect on this:
Who is God inviting you to seek out this season? Growth often comes when you take the initiative to connect, share life, and walk together in faith.
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