November 15 - Acts 25-28
As we finish the book of Acts, it is great to see how God uses all means to work out His will. Paul was a prisoner, but God worked out the circumstances so that he could continue to minister and witness. Paul experienced a ship wreck, but God saved him and used it for a witness to His power. Paul was bitten by a deadly snake, but he did not die, and God used that as a witness. God can use anything to work out His purposes as long as we follow Him. I pray that has been your experience and that will be your experience today.
In chapter 25 Paul gets to witness to Festus, the new Roman governor. Then, he appeals to Caesar so that he can not only get a fair trial, but he can get to Rome as God had said by a fully paid trip from the Roman government. Isn't it amazing how God used secular government to do His will? Isn't it amazing how God allowed Paul to witness to the soldiers and the authorities? He can do the same kind of things for us today, if we let Him work in our lives.
In chapter 26 Paul gives his testimony to the Jewish king, Agrippa. In fact, the context seems to say that Herod came close to receiving Christ as his Savior. Look at verse 27. Paul asked Agrippa to declare his belief in the Prophets, which is what Paul had used to preach Jesus to him, and he points out that he believes that Agrippa does believe what he was saying. However, Agrippa gives in to the peer pressure of Festus, and he falls short of accepting Christ. What a sad day! Agrippa let the opinion of a man cause him to reject Jesus. It happens all the time, because of pride, but it is still a tragedy. We must urge people to believe in Jesus as Paul did here, whether they accept or not. Their acceptance is between them and God.
In chapter 27 we read about the storm and the shipwreck. Paul is bold to proclaim what God says to him about the ship and lives being lost. (v.10) However, he continues to pray and to fast while the storm rages, and the Lord grants him the lives of all on board. What an answer to pray! He even sends an angel to speak to him directly. That reminds me of Daniel in the Old Testament, as God sent the angel to deliver the answer to his prayer. God will answer our prayers, too, if we pray according to His will, and we pray in faith. Paul's prayer saved the 267 people on board of that ship. What could our prayers do today?
Finally, in chapter 28 Paul reaches Rome after a fruitful ministry on Malta. He is greeted by Christian brothers. He has freedom to receive guests and to preach. God had fulfilled His promise to Paul. Now, he was able to preach and to minister in the greatest city of that time. How much was accomplished in those two years? No one knows, but God. However, it is clear that God was working His will. Did Paul ever make it to the ends of the earth like Acts 1:8 says? I don't know. However, if God could get Him to Rome as He did, He could get him to Spain, too. What does God want to do in your life. Trust Him! Let Him do it through you.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Romans 1-3.
In chapter 25 Paul gets to witness to Festus, the new Roman governor. Then, he appeals to Caesar so that he can not only get a fair trial, but he can get to Rome as God had said by a fully paid trip from the Roman government. Isn't it amazing how God used secular government to do His will? Isn't it amazing how God allowed Paul to witness to the soldiers and the authorities? He can do the same kind of things for us today, if we let Him work in our lives.
In chapter 26 Paul gives his testimony to the Jewish king, Agrippa. In fact, the context seems to say that Herod came close to receiving Christ as his Savior. Look at verse 27. Paul asked Agrippa to declare his belief in the Prophets, which is what Paul had used to preach Jesus to him, and he points out that he believes that Agrippa does believe what he was saying. However, Agrippa gives in to the peer pressure of Festus, and he falls short of accepting Christ. What a sad day! Agrippa let the opinion of a man cause him to reject Jesus. It happens all the time, because of pride, but it is still a tragedy. We must urge people to believe in Jesus as Paul did here, whether they accept or not. Their acceptance is between them and God.
In chapter 27 we read about the storm and the shipwreck. Paul is bold to proclaim what God says to him about the ship and lives being lost. (v.10) However, he continues to pray and to fast while the storm rages, and the Lord grants him the lives of all on board. What an answer to pray! He even sends an angel to speak to him directly. That reminds me of Daniel in the Old Testament, as God sent the angel to deliver the answer to his prayer. God will answer our prayers, too, if we pray according to His will, and we pray in faith. Paul's prayer saved the 267 people on board of that ship. What could our prayers do today?
Finally, in chapter 28 Paul reaches Rome after a fruitful ministry on Malta. He is greeted by Christian brothers. He has freedom to receive guests and to preach. God had fulfilled His promise to Paul. Now, he was able to preach and to minister in the greatest city of that time. How much was accomplished in those two years? No one knows, but God. However, it is clear that God was working His will. Did Paul ever make it to the ends of the earth like Acts 1:8 says? I don't know. However, if God could get Him to Rome as He did, He could get him to Spain, too. What does God want to do in your life. Trust Him! Let Him do it through you.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Romans 1-3.