Saturday, December 10, 2022

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 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

5 thoughts on “Saturday, December 10, 2022

  1. This blog is a truly Christian giving to the whole world.I wonder if there is anyone led to 100 Words by the links I put on my FB page??That would be a blessing to know,even if just one.
    The early church decided to replace a pagan holiday with a Christian one.Christmas was that one since it was not recorded just when Jesus was born but it could not have been in winter.It was a human,fallible decision but done with good intentions.In the modern age it seems to have been hijacked by the pagans to sell products of the season.Here is a message that any Christian could understand.Merry Christmas and may God bless

    They Call Me St.Nick

    They call me ‘St Nick’ in my land,
    Because I practised love to all,
    But then it quickly got out of hand;
    The lie became my life’s downfall.

    I am not Christmas,nor a saint,
    But am promoted only to sell,
    I detest that they made me quaint,
    So they could make their money swell.

    If you love Christmas,give it back,
    To the true King,Lord of all lands,
    Only He can replace what we lack,
    You’re right beside where He stands.

    So if you truly love Jesus,the Lord,
    Welcome Him into your humble abode
    He is the Gift we can all afford,
    He keeps giving but is never owed.
    G W (Bill) Marshall / 2 Dec,2012

  2. Paul was truly amazing! To be held for so long in a dungeon, the years passing by. I find it hard enough to live with the restrictions of Covid! Staying close to the Lord and the opportunities we have to worship via social media, certainly makes life more bearable and enjoyable. Blessings all.

    • Yes,Paul is my favourite disciple and perhaps the best example of true repentance and Christian love.We know what he endured but I often wonder what is unrecorded about other disciples?We know Paul thought of himself as unworthy.God bless

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