GOD’S CHOICE
Today’s Reading: Acts 22-23
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
The shoreline of Caesarea in Israel. Paul was taken to Caesarea to appear before Felix the Governor (Acts 23:33).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Acts 23:11
But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”
Paul, formerly a persecutor of believers in Jesus, now is persecuted for his faith in Jesus. God delights to turn enmity into friendship, hostility into love. Jesus changes everything for all who give Him their lives. It would appear that Paul’s nephew had come to faith in Christ as evidenced by his warning of the plot to kill Paul, or it could’ve been family loyalty that God used to save Paul’s life. Either way, God was not finished with Paul yet. Our key verse is the final statement by Paul in his first appearance before the Rome-appointed Jewish leadership. The party of the Sadducees believed that God does not do the miraculous, as do liberal Protestants or reformed Judaism today. The Pharisees believed, but as Jesus said in Mark 7:13, “Making the Word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down.” The result is the same for those who deny the daily activity of God in human lives, or for those who put the intervention of God into the past only. As Paul experienced the “be of good cheer” Words of Jesus, so we should expect Jesus to communicate with us. Are we listening carefully?
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I’m one of Your sheep. Therefore, as You said, I will know Your voice. I’m listening, Lord Jesus. Thank You for that “still small voice” I’m hearing just now. You are telling me that You love me. I love You also! Amen! (John 10:4 & 1 Kings 19:12)
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I am so very blessed by Norma-Jean, my wife, my children and their spouses, Elaine and Bruce, Ellen and Nizar, Reynold and Kathy, and Ron and Ann. I think the most often repeated words to each other are, “I love you.” I won’t list all my 16 grandchildren, but it is the same with them. Five of my great-grandchildren are already telling me, “I love you, great-grandpa.” I cannot begin to tell how these simple, yet most profound words warm my heart. I encourage you to read 1 John 4:7-21, if you have time. “Love” is the very essence of God’s Being. Just as I am telling my daughters and sons that I love them, and they tell me that they love me, so my Father God tells me, and I tell Him. It’s not trite. It never becomes stale. The great theologian Karl Barth was asked for his most profound thought ever. He answered, “Jesus loves me. This I know.”
Yours for love of God and for love of each other,
David
P.S. In a previous blog comment, one of my readers, blessed me with a link to a wonderful music video. Here’s what was written, along with the link…
“My wife blessed me with this song written by Brenton Brown & Paul Baloche. I am sharing my blessing with you. When we stand on the solid rock of Jesus Christ and let Him lead us, as Paul did, we can weather the storms and adversities in our path. Praise God!” (Click HERE for the song).
Praise God for manifesting His love in us through the Holy Spirit to every believer God Bless you David and Norma Jean and all your children and grandchildren and great grandchildren You are Blessed and God bless every person who is involved with this blog
I LOVE YOU ALL
Amen!
Sometimes I wonder if our bible was translated correctly. How could Paul be of good cheer after a severe flogging and told there’s more of that to come? I love the Lord too and know he loves me but I wish there was a better way of spreading His Word. Remaining humble and stalwart seem to be dependable Christian traits.
God bless us all.
WOW!
I recommend today’s disturbing interview between Moira Brown and Canon Andrew White (aka The Vicar of Baghdad) to all bloggers.
Thankfully Canon Andrew actually listened to the Archbishop of Canterbury (and his wife) and is now “safe” in Israel and Jordan.
I feel that the least we all can do is pray as requested for the four Ps including peace!
Shalom,
Graham.
2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.
I just learned the full meaning of the word “Shalom”. A great word – Shalom blog friends…
Yes, I saw that interview. How amazing. THE CHILDREN martyred for their position in Jesus. How horrible for the father to see that. Oh Father, thank You for Your forgiveness. Please heal this father and others who experienced such horror.
I’m enjoying Timothy Keller’s book – The Reason for God! I guess I have a rather simple mind as I find the first half almost fence/sitting… Perhaps it is Keller’s use of big words. Normally I can get the gist of them, but…it seems that no matter what is the question, Keller defends both sides of the fence… However, I am a little ways past the middle and his message is beginning to set in with me.
Have a great day blog friends! Blessings…
As I read this morning’s scripture…this is what came to mind…God’s purpose in our lives will be fulfilled, He will bring us through the storms of life…Paul finds favor with God through this storm…and the affirmation from God in Acts 23:11 to be of Good cheer “he must also bear witness in Rome”.
What Great Love the Father has for us…He gave His only Son Jesus to die for us that we should live in Him eternally!!! WHAT LOVE!!!
At this time I could not open the link with the song…but will try again later…thank you David.
The Lord has blessed this wonderful man named John Ellis with this ministry http://www.unlovabletolovable.com
I found it easy to say I love you, but John’s ministry made me able to say I love me. God bless this precious man. Thank you David for this blog. It is such a joy to spend time with the Lord and you.
God has proven Hinself to our family through deep storms and I do not know how people get through their trials without Him.
Great song link, and I have sent it on to a family member as it is quite appropriate right now. Thanks Pastor David.
Gid’s timing is always perfect.
Sending much love to all.
Dear Rev. David M. and fellow bloggers,
Being bed ridden for the past 10 days has made this blog more precious than ever
Each day The Lord comforted me with His Word.Todays prayer if you do not mind I will recite once more.
Lord Jesus, I am Your sheep. therefore , as You said, I will know Your voice . I am listening , Lord Jesus. Thank You for that still small voice , I am hearing just now. You are telling me that You love me . I love You also . Amen.
Shalom.
xoxoxo Carole.
What does it mean when Paul said “Who are you Lord? Why are you persecuting me”and He said” I am Jesus of of Nazareth whom you are perscuting”
Paul already knows it is Jesus
Lianne Hogg
That picture shows the state of my life just now and my husband’s. We are going through the awful suffering of a terrible cancer. He is receiving Palliative Care now. We are exhausted by all “the help” they are providing from the Palliative Team. It’s a real up and down situation – just like the ships in the video. We do want God’s Perfect Will although it may bring about His decision which may be hard to bare.
Thank you Rev. David…I was able to view the link…Powerful word and music along with the background storm!
in Graham’s blog the 4 P’s, peace prayer,and ????????
Hi Sah,
Originally there were three Ps:
Provisions,
Perserverance,
Protection, and then yesterday Canon Andrew White in the Moira Brown interview added,
Peace.
Shalom,
Graham.
2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.
beautiful song BUT BEGAN TO FEEL WOOZY FROM THE WAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!
Awesome video!!! I had to watch it again and again!!!! You are my rock, Jesus–AMEN!!!!