They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.
Acts 28:23-24//
Lord, when I testify to others, help me to not be discouraged when some still do not believe in Jesus.
Colossians 3:18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.//
May I be a protector and a humble servant of my wife.
Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”
Acts 26:28-29//
Whether I am planting a seed or leading someone to Christ, may He use me to bring others to salvation.
Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges.
Acts 25:19-20//
Festus was “at a loss” how to investigate the resurrection of Jesus. Centuries later, many leaders still have the same pattern of how to determine if Jesus is alive. But, this I am certain. . .Jesus is alive and has saved me from eternal death!!!
and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
Acts 24:15-16//
Focusing on the fact that there will be a resurrection will help me to steer clear of sin so that I may keep a clear conscience.
The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”
Acts 23:11//
Isn’t it interesting how often the Lord encourages Paul? If the writer of much of the New Testament needed encouragement, how much do we need? Lord, make me an encourager to my brothers and sisters in Christ!
Colossians 3:16
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another…//
Unless the message of the gospel dwells in me I will be unable to properly teach and admonish others.
“‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”
Acts 22:19-21//
The Lord will place us in ministry where we are most effective. Sometimes that means leading us far away from the ones who know our past sins.
shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.” (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)
Acts 21:28-29
When we make assumptions by what we see, we can easily cause unfounded discord and create divisiveness.
“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me —the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Acts 20:22-24//
I need to learn to put God before everything, including my life.