Good morning, Father God . . . As we pray through the New Testament, we come to Acts 25:13-26:8. It’s been a few years since Paul’s third missionary journey came to an end in Jerusalem. Since then the religious leaders of Paul’s day sought to do everything they could to keep him from sharing the Gospel of Jesus and His Kingdom. Though in custody, amazingly, Paul takes advantage of opportunity after opportunity to share the Gospel before the top Roman leaders of his day! Governor Festus has kept him confined at Caesarea, though Paul’s appeal to Caesar will soon have him journeying to Rome—as some refer to it, Paul’s fourth missionary journey. In the meantime, when King Agrippa and his wife, Bernice, pass through Caesarea, Festus explains that there’s no real charge to be made against Paul but his appeal necessitates a trip to Rome, Agrippa says he’d like to “hear the man” himself. The next day, when Paul stands before the king and assembled others, he makes a case for the hope that he has, rooted in the Word of God: “And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king!” (26:6-7). Once again, Father God, help me to live out the Gospel despite adverse circumstances. May I, like the apostle Paul, put flesh on the bones of Peter’s charge: “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame” (1 Peter 3:15-16). May I be set apart, ready always, share everywhere You open a door! esvbible.org/Acts%2025%3A13-26%3A8/
Posted on: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 10:45:24 +0000