Archive | October 2015

Acts 25 – choices! Choices!! Choices !!!

Oct10

Good morning y’all. Today we are studying Acts 25.

Be blessed 🙂

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Would we rather please man than God?

Festus knew that Paul was Innocent but because he wanted to please the people he was Willing to have Paul tried. Perhaps he was afraid the people will hate him or loose their support and because of that, he didnt mind punishing an Innocent man.

Before we judge Festus, lets take a moment to check ourselves. How often do we choose to do the wrong thing just because we want to please others. We know the right thing to do but because of Peer pressure or our own selfish gains we choose to do the Wrong thing instead.
Verses 9 and 25 shows that Festus Knew Paul Was Innocent.

“Then Festus, wanting to please the Jews, asked him, “Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there?”(Acts 25:9 NLT)

“But in my opinion he has done nothing deserving death. However, since he appealed his case to the emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome”.(Acts 25:25 NLT)

To do the right thing is always better than doing the wrong thing. It might seem painful but in the end we will reap the reward of obedience. Lets take a leaf from the apostles book. When they were told not to preach about Jesus, they boldly replied and said: “…Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
(Acts 4:19-20 ESV)

Today what choices are you making ? To do the right thing or wrong? To please God or man? God should be our ultimate goal. Don’t forget we can fool ourselves and others but we can’t fool God!

Have a blessed weekend basking in Gods goodness and glory

***With God all things are possible***

Acts 23 – Take Courage ….

Oct7

Good evening y’all. Today we are studying Acts 23.

Verse 1 and 11 were my fav verses from today’s reading.

Be blessed 🙂

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In verse 1, we see Paul making a statement that he has fulfilled his duty to God in all good conscience.

“Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.”
(Acts 23:1 NIV)

Can we boldly declare the same? Do we know what our duty to God is? Are we serving Him in good conscience or with the wrong motive?

Paul when he encountered God on the road to Damascus, was told by God what his calling / duty was. God also confirmed it through Ananias. Paul ran with the calling. He refused to be distracted by anything else including persecution and jail term. He was focused on his calling.

God has a calling on each of our lives and I pray we find our calling and run with it. Like Paul, may we too be able to say we have fulfilled our duty to God with a good conscience. Amen

In verse 11, we see God appear to Paul at night to encourage him. Paul must have been feeling discouraged and weary from all the arguments and fighting he’s had to endure. God in His mercy showed up to encourage him and and remind him He is with him and that there is still work to do.

“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 NIV)

Perhaps you are feeling discouraged and weary right now, be encouraged by God’s word to Paul. God is on your side, take courage. Joshua 1:9 says:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
(Joshua 1:9 NIV)

So, take courage. It might seem very dark now but God is on your side and already has a way of escape planned for you. He will see you through and strengthen you. Keep the faith and keep going….

Thanks for joining today. Pls feel free to share your thots on the chapter.

I’m blogging through the book of Acts a chapter a day with Good morning girls. Check us out at www.goodmorninggirls.org

Have a blessed evening basking in Gods goodness and glory 🙂

JumBug…xxx

***With God all things are possible***