1 Corinthians 9:24
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. (King James Version)
About three months ago I wrote about The Acts 1-7. I finally finished the rest of the Book a few days ago. There is no way to touch on so many great things in one post, so this entry is the sum of what is Burning in My Heart. I see myself coming closer to the finish line. Just like a foot race, it’s my goal to pick up speed. Paul ran an awesome race.
Paul (formerly Saul) was a Pharisee and a persecutor of Christians (Philippians 3:1-5), yet he was a chosen vessel unto God. He suffered many things for preaching Jesus (Acts 9:15-16). He was beaten by the Jews five times, receiving thirty-nine stripes each time, stoned once, shipwrecked three times, and had many perilous journeys in which he suffered pain, hunger, weariness, and cold, besides all of that, he had the care of all of the churches (2 Corinthians11: 24-28). As I read about these events it pricked my heart because he was a man that had undoubtedly left the comforts of This Life considering them dung that he would win Christ (Philippians 3:8), yet I am so easily distracted by the cares of this world.
I wondered why Paul was so insistent on going to Jerusalem when he was warned of the Holy Ghost of what he would suffer there (Acts 21:10-14). It seems that his motive was to Bless the poor saints at Jerusalem with the gifts collected from the Gentile churches (Romans 15:25-28) (Acts 24:17). It is mentioned that Paul wanted to be at Jerusalem by the day of Pentecost, which is the second of three great annual festivals. It is called (1) the feast of weeks (Exodus 34:22), because it was celebrated seven complete weeks, or fifty days after the Passover. (2) the feast of the Harvest, because it concluded the harvest of latter grains (barley) (Exodus 23:16), (3) the day of the first fruits (Numbers28:26), because the first loaves from the new grain (wheat) were offered on the alter (Leviticus 23:17), (Unger and Harrison. “Pentecost” The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary”. 414.). God chose this day to send the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and man became His Tabernacle (Acts 2:1-2). He has empowered us not only to live a Godly life, but to work in His field.
Jesus said, “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest” (John 4:35). “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few: Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38).
This is our calling. This is our race. This world needs Jesus! If you have a gift, it’s time to use it. If God put something inside of you, use it for his glory. If the world didn’t give it to you, then the world can’t take it away. If you have a prayer of faith, pray it. If you have a song, sing it. If you have a victory shout, shout it. If you have a dance, dance. Just let God be God! Give Him Glory, Amen.
2 Timothy 4:1-8
4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season (no definite fixed hours); reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (Charles Ellicott Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers)
4:7 Fight a good fight. Finish your course. Keep the faith.
References
Unger, Merrill F., and R.K.Harrison, editors. The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary. Moody Publishers, 2006
Ellicott, Charles. Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers. Bible Hub, Accessed November 24, 2025. Bible Hub.”.
myheartburnswithinme.com 