This story isn’t really about Paul. It isn’t really about you and your storms. This is about 276 people who encountered a storm- a storm that rocked their sense of safety and control. No one’s experience, hard work, wisdom, power, influence (or chains) mattered any more. It appeared everyone was equally lost. 275 people embodied … Read More
Month: November 2013
Acts 25:13-26:32
Festus Consults King Agrippa 13 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. 14 Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner. 15 When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the … Read More
Acts 25:13-26 Encouragement
In our scripture reading, we begin reading where Paul was now standing trial before King Agrippa. As Paul pleads his case and tells of his conversion, he tells that God has appointed him to open the eyes of the ones that didn’t know him, from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to … Read More
Believing, But Not Filled
Pastor Shawn shared about Simon, the sorcerer, who came to believe in Jesus, but didn’t receive the Spirit’s filling. He struggled with embracing kingdom conflicts that would change his life in four critical ways: Position Simon held a prominent position that commanded fearful respect that he was reluctant to lose. Power He wielded significant power … Read More
Acts 25:1-12
Paul’s Trial Before Festus 25 Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, 2 where the chief priests and the Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul. 3 They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along … Read More
Acts 25:1-12 Encouragement
Prosecutor to Defendant In this passage we see the Apostle Paul standing trail. As I read this passage I am reminded of when we first encounter Paul (Saul), he was this prosecutor who was vigilant on charging all those who calls on Jesus as their savior. In, fact in Acts 7 Paul was responsible for … Read More
Acts 24:1-27
Paul’s Trial Before Felix 24 Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your … Read More
Acts 24:1-27 Encouragement
It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today. (Acts 24:21) Jesus is alive today. That fact should create problems and peace for you. It did for Paul. In chapter 24 Paul is on trial in front of King Felix, the Pharisees that hate him, and a watching … Read More
Acts 23:12-35
The Plot to Kill Paul 12 The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. 13 More than forty men were involved in this plot. 14 They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat … Read More
Acts 23:12-35 Encouragement
This passage shows us that even God’s most chosen servants face trials, but God’s plan prevails. We often wonder in life, “Why me?” when we are facing particularly difficult circumstances. The Christian life is described as warfare against evil. Paul even writes to Timothy, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in … Read More