Complete Abandon

The next day we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the Evangelist, one of the seven men who had been chosen to distribute food. He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy. Several days later a man named Agabus, who also had the gift of prophecy, arrived from Judea. He came over, took Paul’s belt, and bound his own feet and hands with it. Then he said, “The Holy Spirit declares, ‘So shall the owner of this belt be bound by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and turned over to the Gentiles.’” When we heard this, we and the local believers all begged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. But he said, “Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.” When it was clear that we couldn’t persuade him, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” (‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭21‬:‭8-14‬ NLT)

Paul and his comrades travel just a bit south from Tyre to Caesarea. There they lodged in the home of one of the seven deacons chosen in Acts Chapter 6:5-6. Philip was his name. He is called the Evangelist here in this chapter. Philip was a man full of the Holy Spirit and of great character. We also read of him in Acts Chapter 8 where he ministers in Samaria and to the Ethiopian Eunuch. As a well respected leader among the believers in Caesarea, Paul and his ministry team stay with him. Jesus said "And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence." (Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭11‬ KJV). Philip is stated as having four daughters who loved Jesus , were chaste, and had the gift of prophecy. Prophecy is one of the nine manifestation gifts of the Holy Spirit found in 1 Corinthians 12:10.
Another prophet named Agabus comes from Judea (Southern, Mountainous Israel). Upon his arrival, he takes Paul's belt and binds his own hands and feet with the belt. He, then, prophesied that the Jews would bind Paul in Jerusalem and turn him over to the Gentiles. This proclamation caused a stir of great concern among the believers in Caesarea as well as Paul's ministry team and they tried to persuade Paul not to go to Jerusalem. His reply was determined and steadfast. He, I'm sure, appreciated their love and affection for him, yet he was pressed to go. Apparently, Paul was compelled of the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem because he said to the crowd that he was not only willing to be thrown in jail, but to die for the Lord Jesus Christ. He was already dead to his old sinful nature and he knew that what lie ahead was greater than the life he currently lived. His focus was unaffected by the natural circumstances of life. Galatians 2:20 says "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (KJV).
Let's live life with complete abandon to the one, and only, Lord!!! Jesus is His name!!!