Acts 24 - 1.30.23
Scripture
Acts 24:25
“As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.”
Observation-What does it say?
Some of the Jewish Elders, and the lawyer named Tertullus went to governor Felix to present their case against Paul. Paul was being accused of being a troublemaker who was constantly stirring up riots amongst the Jews all over the world. He was being accused of being a ringleader of a cult, and Paul was being accused of desecrating the Temple. Of course, all these accusations were false, but Felix, who wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, left Paul in prison. While in prison, Felix would send for Paul quite frequently. Deep down, Felix was hoping Paul would bribe him with money for his release. But instead Paul used those times to share with Felix and his wife Drusilla about faith in Jesus Christ. One day Paul reasoned with them about righteousness, self-control, and the coming day of judgement. This talk frightened Felix. He told Paul to “Go away for now. When it’s more convenient, I’ll call back for you again.”
Understanding-What does it mean?
What will you do when the power of the Holy Spirit convicts you?
As Paul was sharing the Word of God with Felix and his wife, Felix felt the conviction from the Holy Spirit (spoken through Paul) of his wrongdoings in life. Now Felix had a choice to make here. Would he allow the Holy Spirit to convict him of his faults so that he may repent against them? Or would he ignore the calling, try to hide from it, and let pride get in the way of making the right decision? Unfortunately, Felix chose the latter.
There will be times in life when the Holy Spirit speaks to us and pierces straight to our heart. It may be something we need to do, or it may be something we need to rid ourselves of in our life. The choice won’t always be easy. But if I was to learn anything from this passage this morning, it is that I can’t just pick and choose sections of the Word of God I choose to follow. Don’t be like Felix and listen to God’s Word, take it in, but as soon as it tells you something you may not want to hear or are uncomfortable with, you shut it out. No! Instead I need to take a long, hard look in the mirror, allow the Holy Spirit to reveal my faults, and direct me in the way He needs me to go. Allow the power of the Holy Spirit to transform me from the inside out.
Life Application
Don’t let pride get in the way from the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
There is one unforgivable sin the Bible speaks of. It is the blaspheming or rejection of the Holy Spirit.
“Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” -Luke 12:10
The Holy Spirit is alive! It reaches out to you, trying to guide you to do what is right in God’s eyes. Don’t turn away from Him. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your words, your actions so you may be right with God. Do not blaspheme Him or reject Him. Our time on earth is limited and we never know when our time here is up. So shouldn’t I be using that time accepting the Holy Spirit’s guidance, instead of rejecting it?
-Moses Gaddi
Acts 23 - 1.27.23
Scripture
Acts 23:11
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.”
Observation – What does it say?
After making the most of every opportunity to share the gospel, preaching to crowd after crowd who were opposed to him – the crowd of Jews at the temple in Jerusalem, then to the Sanhedrin (Jewish religious leaders), many wanted him dead. To save him, the Roman commander put him in the barracks. At night, the Lord stood near Paul and spoke to him. In the face of opposition, threats and imprisonment God told him to take courage and spoke to him about His future plans for him.
Right after this word from God, Paul finds out that 40 men swore an oath to not eat anything until they had killed him.
Understanding – What does it mean?
God knew that Paul would need that word to hold on to! God’s word and his promises become anchors for us. Waves will come. Opposition will come. Distraction will come. Fear will come. And when it does, like Paul, God has given us promises in his word to hold onto. His desire is not for us to shrink back in fear but to rise up in faith and courage, even when circumstances look the worst.
I can’t help but be reminded of one of our church values: Faith and hope are our lens. Regardless of outward circumstances, we choose to cling to our faith in our God who is working all things together for the good of those who love him. We align with the hope of heaven that will not disappoint us.
Life Application
Remind myself of God’s words to me and take courage! He has never failed me and he’s not going to start now.
God, you have given me promises in your word and also dreams and prophetic words about my future and the future of Desert Streams. You knew trials and challenges would come and attempt to bring discouragement and fear and worry, so you gave these words to provide courage. Thank you for being so good to me! I receive your courage today and put my faith in you. You will certainly prove yourself faithful to every word you have spoken.
No weapon formed against me shall prosper. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. If you are for me, who can be against me! The gates of hell will not prevail against your church. We will go from glory to glory until we appear before you in heaven. Our God will indeed give what is good and our land will yield it’s harvest. Hallelujah and Amen.
-Levi Thompson
Acts 22 - 01.26.23
SCRIPTURE: Acts 22: 6-8 TPT
As I was on the road approaching Damascus, about noon, a brilliant heavenly light suddenly appeared, flashing all around me. As I fell to the ground I heard a voice say, ‘Saul, Saul . . . why are you persecuting me?’ “I answered, ‘Who are you, my Lord?’
“He said to me, ‘I AM Jesus, the [ Nazarene] Victorious. I AM the ONE you are persecuting.’”
OBSERVATION:
Paul had returned to Jerusalem [knowing trouble awaited him 21:13] and gave a beautifully detailed report of ALL God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. The Jerusalem Church rejoiced and praised God. However, it was also shared with Paul that some rumors were circulating that he had been teaching Jewish Believers to disregard the Law of Moses and circumcision. To squash these false accusations a simple plan was recommended which Paul agreed to. Only the well intentioned plan went very very south. When Paul entered the Temple a few people misunderstood what they ‘thought they saw’ and incited an entire mob into a riot resulting in Paul’s near death and subsequent arrest.
UNDERSTANDING:
God’s Plans Prevail
What was the purpose of all this? Paul had been told that Trouble awaited him in Jerusalem—and Paul said he was ready to die if that was God’s plan. But, in fact—much more ministry awaited Paul—but God only revealed one part of each step at a time.
The commander allowed Paul to speak to the crowd in the arena hoping for clarification. What happened—
Paul shared his testimony. All of it—with Courage and Conviction in front of the mob that would then shout, “kill him”.
BUT…
it was part of God’s Plan that Paul would witness again AND again—AND to people he could never have met—had he not been wrongly arrested that day. Passionate Paul eventually went all the way to Rome to share his testimony.
LIFE APPLICATION:
Trusting God for the GREATER..
My takeaway…I’m trying to figure out how I express this. What I want to glean is that a simple plan was devised to help Paul mesh with the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem who were under a misunderstanding about what Paul was teaching. In order to bring Peace and Unity—Paul agrees to this simple plan—that—Backfires!….or does it???
Paul ends up arrested. This is not the end-or death-however. This is the BEGINNING—God is using Paul in a new way to deliver his testimony to people in very high places! Paul gives his testimony to King Herod Agrippa (Acts 26) and then Paul is sent to Rome.
LORD Jesus,
I pray to Trust you in ALL things no matter how the circumstances look. Your ways are higher and thoughts are far beyond anything I can possibly imagine. May I CLING to you—and like Paul—be prepared—always—to give a reason for the hope I have IN You—Knowing your Plans are Greater…and beyond anything I can dare hope or imagine. My life is yours. amen.
“Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on Him to guide you, and He will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with Him in whatever you do, and He will lead you wherever you go. Don’t think for a moment that you know it all, for wisdom comes when you adore Him with undivided devotion and avoid everything that’s wrong.” (Proverbs 3:5-7 TPT)
Tina L Kudelka