Daily Reading

How about weekly reading? Summer is here & I've been running from one thing to another in preparation of all these trips that are going on. In fact I leave tomorrow for Europe, so I won't be able to post (who knows what the wi-fi situation will be & my phone won't work over there).
So, let's catch up on Acts, shall we?

Reading: Acts 25:1-28:31; Psalm 63-66; Proverbs 11:17-26

Where we left off: Paul has been in house-arrest in Caesarea for two years now. Felix, governor who put Paul in house-arrest has now been replaced by Festus, a much fairer man.

Festus, at the urging of the Jews, resumes Paul's trial. He wants to send Paul back to Jerusalem to stand trial, but Paul requests a hearing before Caesar. As a Roman citizen, he has that right, so Festus prepares to send him to Rome. In the meantime, King Agrippa - the appointed king of Judea, he had the power to appoint the chief priests in the temple - comes to Caesarea & Festus asks his opinion concerning Paul. This allows Paul to give his testimony to Agrippa & Festus, who find him innocent, but must send him to Caesar because Paul requested it.

So did Paul do himself in by requesting an audience with Caesar? No! In fact, Paul could care less about his freedom. His goal is to reach everyone, including Caesar with the Gospel & now he will have the opportunity.

So Paul is shipped off to Rome, literally. Due to some poor decisions, the ship runs into a storm & here we see Paul's character really shine. He takes charge, he encourages, he trusts in God, he is a man of faith & absolute confidence. When the ship wrecks on the island of Malta, Paul does some amazing miracles, which allow him to minister & witness to the islanders.

Once in Rome, Paul is again placed in house-arrest. Acts ends with Paul under house-arrest, preaching boldly. The Bible does not tell us how or when Paul died. Tradition holds that he was beheaded by Nero around 64 AD. But these are not the details we must remember about his life. So, what should we remember?

Lead a life focused on Christ Jesus. Be absolutely convinced that Jesus Christ is the risen Messiah. Preach the Gospel BOLDLY wherever & whenever & to whoever. Finally - & I think most importantly - Paul teaches us that our circumstances are not important. Stop worrying about who likes you, what you'll wear, if your house or car or clothes or media devices are good enough, don't worry about your health, or where your next meal will come from because God will provide all that you need. Your joy, peace, love, & well-being are tied up in God, not things or people. So keep looking up & stop looking around.