A CONVENIENT TIME
Today’s Reading: Acts 24-25
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).
A view at sunset of the Roman aqueduct that supplied water to the ancient port city of Caesarea from the north. This structure supplied water from the springs of Mount Carmel for Paul during the two years he was incarcerated here.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Acts 24:25
Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”
Paul was a Jew and also a Roman citizen. Such a prisoner would usually be under house arrest, not in a dungeon. The Roman centurion, Cornelius, his family and friends had been the first non-Jews to believe in Jesus (Acts 10). No doubt there were many Christians in this city who would care for Paul with food and housing, meeting his needs. We might become impatient with serving two years in which our movements were restricted, but not Paul. He was content to wait for God’s timing. He knew there were thousands more to win for Jesus, but there he sat. Think of it. Instead of thousands blessed by Paul’s ministry, there are millions who are blessed by the letters which may have been written during this time. Luke, Paul’s travelling companion, had two years to interview shepherds in Bethlehem, believers in Jesus in the Galilee, and dozens of people who knew Jesus personally. God could’ve released Paul to freedom as He had done before in Phillippi. Paul’s witness for Christ to two Roman governors and to the Jewish puppet-king Agrippa was in God’s plan.
Do you know someone who is waiting for a more convenient time to receive Christ. I do. Let us press for a decision now while there is still time.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, may I not become impatient in my present circumstance but make the most of the opportunities You’re giving me TODAY to share Your love and truth with those around me. Thank You that I can rest in the knowledge that You are in charge, because I’ve yielded control of my life to You. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Since I began this blogging journey on June 3rd, 2012, I’ve received close to 29,366 comments. Thanks so very much for the gift of your time and input. I am blessed by your care. Have you watched the music video that a reader sent to me? It’s attached to yesterday’s blog. What a powerfully creative statement about God’s care for each one of us! I’m amazed by the technology available to us for spreading God’s Word. Through Crossroads Christian Communications and other ministries, millions of precious people will be presented with the Good News of Jesus, encouraged in their faith, and challenged to be soul winners for Jesus. Just as Paul’s brothers and sisters in Christ supported his ministry, I ask you to do the same for those called of God to lead Crossroads. With the year-end approaching, there is an urgent need for offerings to support the greatest cause and the greatest outreach in our 54-plus years of ministry…100 Huntley Street! Receipts for income tax deductions for 2016 will be issued early in the New Year. Crossroads is a federally chartered charity in Canada and in the U.S.A. God bless you for making the outreach possible through your generous and sacrificial giving! Here’s the link for donations, or you can call 1-800-265-3100, or mail a cheque to Crossroads, Box 5100, Burlington, Ontario, Canada, L7R 4M2.
Yours for discovering God’s timing and purposes in our lives,
David
What an amazing picture Reynold, thank you, and thank you Pastor David for your faithfulness in presenting the Word to us each day. I have a lifelong friend Elizabeth who has terminal cancer that I have been praying for. I have spoke to her about salvation many times, I am not talking to her about it now, just trusting the Lord that He will answer my prayers. Blessings to all Eleanor M.
Lord God send the Holy Spirit into the heart of Elizabeth who has cancer; open her heart to hear that Jesus Loves her unconditionally; Lord speak to her clearly that she may hear Your Words; speak to her Words of Healing! Nothing is impossible with You Lord; removing smoking/alcohol from me 21 years ago! A MIRACLE! we pray that You would do this same MIRACLE for Elizabeth, bless Eleanor for caring for her friend Elizabeth. IN Jesus Name we Pray AMEN
Amen! agreeing prayer with Sah for Eleanor’s friend.
I tried to listen to the song but for some reason the sound doesn’t come up.
So happy that today I finally caught up with the daily readings. In October and November I had a wonderful trip both to Israel with the Crossroad tour, and then to visit my 95-year-old mom in Vancouver. No internet with mom, I got behind with my 100 Words. Pastor David, I love your blog, even more now when I see the photos of places we went! I want to say that Ron and Ann are such lovely people, they are inspiring to me with their kindness and gentleness. Our tour leaders took such good care of us, it was so special to spend time with them and the other tour members in the Holy Land. God is good! He is excellent! He is marvelous! I also enjoy reading the comments and going to the links. God bless you all.
As a reader of your blog for the past two years, and a supporter of 100 Huntley Street for many years, I know David, that you are a man of God who believes in the miraculous. You are a miracle, not just because of defying the odds with your health, but in the transformation of your life by the Holy Spirit of God.
Today I bring to you a request for prayer, for a little girl, whose name is Isla. She is not yet three years old, but has been battling cancer for more than a year. She is still undergoing treatment and needs a miracle. Thousands of prayers have gone up on her behalf, and I believe that God will complete the work in her body.
I appeal to those of you who believe that God will complete the work of healing in her little body, to pray. Pray that we will see a miracle, because that is what it is going to take. It is now at a critical stage, but God will have the last say.
Thank you David Mainse for you commitment to the work of the gospel in our world. May God continue to richly bless you and your family.
Thank you to all who will take this need upon your heart.
Lord God You have some very IMPORTANT work for this little 3 year old named Isla when she grows up! You are preparing her for Godly work in her lifetime! You have this child in the palm of Your Hand Lord! You are building up strength, endurance, courage in this precious child! You are bringing many people to her side to pray for her, to be the very best doctors they can be,. every heart is deeply touched by Isla, we thank You for Your amazing grace and mercy in healing this little girl! We thank You that she will be running, giggling, playing, smiling, singing, very soon! Her laughter will be heard for miles and miles, her laughter will bring joy to all who hear! WE THANK YOU LORD FOR THIS WONDERFUL GIFT OF LIFE YOU ARE GIVING ISLA, FOR GIVING HER A LOVING AND CARING FAMILY!
We give you thanks and praise for this incredible healing of Isla! The cancer is gone, her body is now healing and all the blessings will flow to this child and she will share with the world her wonderful recovery!
Lord how timely that we celebrate the birth of another baby, Jesus, who was born to save all mankind….
In Jesus Name we Pray we all say AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN
Joyful, grateful. Thank you all for being part of God’s good news team. God bless you.
Great photo …thank you for posting it; interesting to know it supplied water for Paul while incarcerated!