<\/p>\n
Acts 24:1-26:32<\/strong><\/span> Today we read about Paul before the Roman Governor Felix.\u00a0 I love this image below of Paul expertly laying out his case!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span> The close of today\u2019s readings are interesting.\u00a0 It seems to me that Felix has a double-edged reason for keeping Paul in prison for two years.\u00a0 1.\u00a0 Felix enjoys talking to Paul!\u00a0 Why do you suppose this is?\u00a0 Do you suppose Felix was hearing the Truth from Paul?\u00a0 I\u2019m sure that he was\u2026\u00a0 \u00a02. Verse 27 tells us: \u201cAnd because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish leaders, he left Paul in prison.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>So, Felix gets to hear the Truth from Paul and hopefully keep his job by appeasing the Jewish leaders.\u00a0 Sounds reasonable, right?\u00a0 However\u2026 it is interesting to see that he is balancing the Truth with the World.\u00a0 How often in our lives do we try to balance the Truth with the World?\u00a0 I am afraid this is a tough balance to keep\u2026\u00a0 Remember always that we are to be \u201cin the world, but not of it.\u201d\u00a0 Don\u2019t let the World outweigh the Truth in your life\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s Acts readings titled \u201cPaul Stands Before Felix: The Preacher and the Politician\u201d <\/strong>is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n We see continued incredible wisdom displayed by Paul in today\u2019s readings!\u00a0 His appeal to Caesar may look like on first glance he was trying to save his life.\u00a0 Many commentators believe that Paul was actually doing this strategically to get to Rome so he could preach the Gospel in Rome!\u00a0 Yes, he\u2019d be arriving in Rome as a prisoner, but, if we know Paul at all, we know that being a prisoner will not stop him from preaching the Gospel!\u00a0 I love this whole scenario.\u00a0 Paul certainly seems a bit \u201cdown and out\u201d on the ways things are going in his life.\u00a0 He\u2019s been imprisoned for two years, he is barely avoiding being killed or beaten, and yet he\u2019s continuing to think of every way to preach the Gospel and advance the Kingdom of God!\u00a0 I wonder about this in our lives today?\u00a0 Are we like Paul in this regard?\u00a0 Are we constantly thinking of ways to preach the Gospel and advance the kingdom?\u00a0 My hunch is that most of us are living very nice lives \u2013 no real threat of being killed or imprisoned.\u00a0 And I sometimes wonder if our comfort is maybe the real enemy?\u00a0 Are we not focused on preaching the Gospel or advancing the Kingdom of God because we are simply too comfortable?\u00a0 I do think one of the devil\u2019s greatest tricks is to simply distract us.\u00a0 Not to get us to do evil.\u00a0 But to distract us.\u00a0 Make us too comfortable perhaps?\u00a0 I don\u2019t know\u2026\u00a0 I\u2019m just so impressed with how Paul was so focused on the Gospel and building the Kingdom, in the midst of all his challenges.\u00a0 And I worry about why we are not so focused \u2013 and I think it might be our comfortable distractions\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n Below is a great image of Festus\u2019 conversation with King Agrippa about Paul\u2019s case from verses 21 & 22: \u201c\u201cBut Paul appealed to the emperor. So I ordered him back to jail until I could arrange to send him to Caesar.\u201d \u201cI\u2019d like to hear the man myself,\u201d Agrippa said. And Festus replied, \u201cYou shall\u2013tomorrow!\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s Acts readings titled \u201cPaul\u2019s Appeal\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Today in Acts 26 verses 24 & 25 we read: \u201cAt this point Festus interrupted Paul\u2019s defense. \u201cYou are out of your mind, Paul!\u201d he shouted. \u201cYour great learning is driving you insane.\u201d \u201cI am not insane, most excellent Festus,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cWhat I am saying is true and reasonable.\u201d\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>Have you ever questioned your sanity when thinking about Christianity? \ud83d\ude42 Don\u2019t worry \u2013 I think it is okay if you have. I honestly think that Christianity is the most logical thing of all time \u2013 but, I do understand why many in the world may view Christianity as crazy. (or that maybe even we ourselves at times have thought \u201cthis is crazy\u201d) The bottom line is this \u2013 I believe every human being has faith in something. We may have faith in Jesus. Or we may have faith in a \u201ccosmic being.\u201d Or we may have faith in crystals. Or we may have faith in atheism. (yes, I believe atheism is too a faith \u2013 in nothingness \u2013 but a faith nonetheless.) Or we may have faith in altruism or government or nature. We all have faith in something. Faith is our human nature. I believe the statistic is that 85%+ of the world\u2019s population believes in something beyond themselves. We are spiritual beings. And if then we are spiritual beings, then I think it is perfectly logical for us to seek out who our Maker truly is. And to seek out whom our Savior truly is. And to seek out what will lead us to Eternal life. I\u2019ve gone through this seeking phase big time in my early life. And I do believe it was the Holy Spirit that led me to Jesus ultimately. And now, once in relationship with Jesus, I believe that Christianity is the most logical faith there is. Do you believe what Paul says to Festus in these verses? Do you believe that Christianity is true and reasonable?\u00a0 I believe even Spock would find Christianity logical! \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s Acts readings titled \u201cPaul\u2019s Appeal to Aggripa\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.\u00a0 Below is an image of Paul\u00b4s Defense Before Agrippa by C.F. Vos:<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong> Today\u2019s readings in Acts remind me of the\u00a0Michael W. Smith singing the song \u201cMighty to Save:\u201d<\/span>
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~<\/span><\/em>
~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture with <\/em>The ESV Bible<\/em><\/span> ~<\/p>\n
(image courtesty of <\/span>https:\/\/www.lamp.ac.uk\/hogarth\/81to100.htm<\/span>)<\/span><\/p>\n