Tag: Way
Almost persuaded
Scripture reading for November 14: Acts 24-26
Are you focused on your mission of taking Jesus Christ with you today wherever you go? Are you ready to share your testimony and share the Gospel? Like Paul of old, we are to bring close encounters with Jesus to a lost world through our testimony and the Gospel!
The Apostle Paul visited Jerusalem and ended up in jail as he had been warned. (Acts 21:10-14) Nothing takes God by surprise and He prepares His people for the troubles ahead. Angry Jews falsely accused Paul and he was put in jail in Caesarea under the Roman governor Felix. Jews from Jerusalem came there to present their case against Paul with a lawyer named Tertullus. Their charges had no proof and Paul, with the help of the Holy Spirit, spoke convincingly. Felix was well acquainted with those of the “Way”. Later, seeking a bribe, he and his wife asked to have Paul brought before him for a private audience. Paul preached the Gospel and sought to convince Felix that Jesus was the “Way” for him as well. (Acts 24:24-26) Scripture records that Felix came under conviction and cut Paul off. Money blinded Felix and his wife from finding the true treasure of eternal life in Jesus Christ!
Two years passed and a new governor, Porcius Festus, was appointed. The Jews came before him to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem for trial. They planned to kill him as he was being transferred. (Acts 25:3) Again, Paul spoke by the Holy Spirit and appealed to Caesar. He was granted his request! (Acts 25:10-12)
Royal visitors, King Herod Agrippa and his wife Bernice, arrived to pay respects to Porcius Festus. They stayed a few days and Festus told Agrippa about Paul’s case. Agrippa asked to hear from Paul. The leading men of the city, high-ranking officers, and King Agrippa and his wife held a meeting and had Paul brought in chained as a prisoner. Paul was invited to speak to the King in front of all these! Paul again shared his testimony of his encounter with Jesus! He passionately appealed to the King, preaching Jesus as the Christ! The King listened carefully, but in the end stopped the discussion with a question to Paul: “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” (Acts 26:28)
What a heart to share the Gospel! What patience and courage Paul presented before those with authority! He did not bribe or seek to escape but continued his appointed mission of reaching the Gentiles! May we keep our focus this day on bringing people close encounters with Jesus!
The Spirit Speaks!
Scripture reading for April 24th: 2nd Samuel 21-23, John 14
Key Scriptures: 2nd Samuel 23:1-4 “Now these are the last words of David: . . . . The Spirit of the Lord speaks through me; His word is on my tongue. The God of Israel has spoken; the Rock of Israel has said to me: When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God, He dawns on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning, like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth.”
King David’s last words are in the form of a song. In this introduction, God is called the “God of Israel” and the “Rock of Israel.” David declared that he ruled in the “fear of God” and allowed the “Spirit of the Lord” to speak His word through him. God was like a bright light, like the sun shining forth. and like rain causing the earth to bring forth vegetation.
John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You that You revealed Your Father to us. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and let Your word and life shine in me. Water my life with the rain from Heaven! Amen.
Faith–antidote for a troubled heart!
Scripture reading for April 24th: John 14
After Jesus revealed Judas as His betrayer and Peter’s future denial, the disciples were troubled in their souls about the things that Jesus was telling them. Jesus sought to comfort them and prepare them for what was coming!
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:1-3) Jesus knew that troubling times were just ahead where these men would have their faith shaken and broken. He knew that all would deny Him in their weakness of flesh. But He encouraged them to trust in God and in Him and His word. Jesus was preparing a place for them in Father’s house through the events of the next few hours. They must trust that Jesus would prepare that place by going away and then return to take them there to be with Him.
Thomas told Jesus that he did not know where He was going or the way there. Jesus answered, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) Knowing Jesus was also knowing the way to Father’s house. It was the truth that would make them free! (John 8:32) It was the life that would never end! (John 3:16) Jesus told them, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9) Jesus wanted these followers and us to know the way to Father’s house! Have you put your trust in God and His Son Jesus Christ?