Romans 15:20-33

It is my honor and constant passion to be a pioneer who preaches where no one has ever even heard of the Anointed One, instead of building upon someone else’s foundation. As the Scriptures say: Those who know nothing about him will clearly see him, and those who have not heard will understand. My pursuit of this mission has prevented me many times from visiting you, but there is now nothing left to keep me in these regions. So many years I have longed to come and be with you! So on my way to Spain I hope to visit you as I pass through Rome. And after I have enjoyed fellowship with you for a while, I hope that you would help me financially on my journey. But now I’m on my way to Jerusalem to encourage God’s people and minister to them. I am pleased to inform you that the believers of Macedonia and Greece have made a generous contribution for the poor among the holy believers in Jerusalem. They were thrilled to have an opportunity to give back to the believers in Jerusalem. For indeed, they are deeply grateful for them and feel indebted because they brought them the gospel. Since the ethnic multitudes have shared in the spiritual wealth of the Jewish people, it is only right that the non-Jewish people share their material wealth with them. So, when I have completed this act of worship and safely delivered the offering to them in Jerusalem, I will set out for Spain and visit you on my way there. I am convinced that when I come to you, I will come packed full and loaded with the blessings of the Anointed One! That’s why I plead with you, because of our union with our Lord Jesus Christ, to be partners with me in your prayers to God. My dear brothers and sisters in the faith, with the love we share in the Holy Spirit, fight alongside me in prayer. Ask the Father to deliver me from the danger I face from the unbelievers in Judea. For I want to make sure that the contribution I carry for Jerusalem will be favorably received by God’s holy ones. Then he will send me to you with great joy in the pleasure of God’s will, and I will be spiritually refreshed by your fellowship. And now may the God who gives us his peace and wholeness be with you all. Yes, Lord, so let it be!