Acts 26 - 12.30.25

SCRIPTURE:  ACTS 26:19 – 23

19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. 21 That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23 that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”

OBSERVATION

Verses 19 – 23 are known as Paul’s “proclamation.” I see it as the icing on the cake. His testimony brings everything together on the who, what and why he is preaching the Gospel of salvation to all Jews and Gentiles.

Paul was in a tough position. His life was on the line. He was speaking before the King to prove the charges against him were not true. He gives a powerful testimony of his conversion and witness to God’s plan of salvation. He turned his current and very difficult situation into a very compelling sermon. Paul was bold under pressure. He was focused on the situation before him and brought it all back to God’s saving grace.

Besides sharing the Gospel message, he gave God praise by saying “But God has helped me to this very day.” Even through being beaten, under arrest, falsely charged, he was giving God all the glory. He also knew that God was with him, directing his words, giving him the boldness he needed in a difficult circumstance. Through his trust in God, and God being faithful, Paul was well equipped for this event.

I loved how he said “I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen.” Besides being in the presence of the King, who knew about Jewish customs, the Jewish leaders were listening. They understood the importance of his statement by quoting the prophets and Moses but sadly they didn’t believe him.

APPLICATION

I can’t imagine being in Paul’s shoes. He provides a compelling example of composure in an extreme situation. He was also bold in his presentation – not letting anything affect what he knew needed to be said. I am amazed and inspired by not only his testimony but how he:

Trusted in the Lord:  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:6

Was confident and bold:  “Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.” 2 Corinthians 3:12

He had no fear:  “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”  Proverbs 29:25

Gave God the Glory:  “that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.”  Psalm 30:12

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for Paul’s example. His speech before the King and Jewish leaders was compelling, composed, and clearly led by the Holy Spirit. Lord, fill me with the right words when I speak about you before anyone. Help me to study your word, to be better equipped, and prepared just as 2 Timothy 2:15 says “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”  Forgive me for the times where I fell short of being an approved worker. My goal is to correctly handle the truth, and to never be ashamed. Holy Spirit, fill me with all that I need to speak and share your truth and saving grace. You are faithful and I will forever praise you for everything and in everything. In Jesus name. Amen!

- Mary Oberg

Psalm 128 - 12.29.25

Scripture

Psalms‬ ‭128‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.”

Observation

This Psalm, whose author is unknown, gives the secret to a blessed life. If we want our household to be blessed, we must fear the Lord and walk in obedience to Him.

Application

Blessing follows obedience.

When I was a newer Christ follower, my favorite verse was Proverbs 9:10 which says that, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

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This verse always convicted me to show reverence and respect for Jesus if I wanted to be wise. Then, the verse in the Psalms also adds that respect and obedience to the Lord brings blessings and fruit!

I am also reminded of King Solomon who was the wisest king who ever lived and who also wrote Ecclesiastes. He had access to all of the worldly pleasures and anything money could buy, but said everything was meaningless. He then concluded Ecclesiastes by saying, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” -Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This also proves that blessing according to God’s Word is not the world’s definition of blessing, like money, success, or possessions. If it was, King Solomon would not have said it was all meaningless.

Fear and obedience to the Lord produces fruit and blessings that this world cannot take away from us. It’s unending love, peace and joy in Christ that spreads and infects others beyond ourselves.

Prayer

Dear Lord,

I pray that I would always follow what You want me to do and not what I want to do. You have shown me what reverence, obedience and submission to You could produce and it has definitely produced a bigger blessing in my life than doing things my own way. I pray for complete submission to You even when You ask me to do something that is difficult or that I don’t understand. Help me Holy Spirit to always remember that Your ways are greater than mine and that You always have my best interests in mind because You love me. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi

Psalm 125 - 12.26.25

Scripture:  Psalm 125:1-2

“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever. 

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,

so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.”

Observation:

Trust in the Lord brings a security like none other.  When we look to Him without doubting we will be taken care of and we won’t be shaken.  

Trusting believers are compared to Mount Zion.  Google says that “It’s a powerful metaphor in the Bible for God’s dwelling, His holy city, and the Promised Land appearing frequently in Isaiah and Psalms.”

As we trust God we walk in His presence and know that He surrounds and protects us.

Application:

I want to choose each day to trust God and acknowledge that He is surrounding me.  By doing that I know even in hard times my faith is immovable.  God is completely trustworthy.

Prayer:

Father God,

You are all-powerful, all-knowing, the creator of all things, and you have a plan for my life.  Please help me not be swayed by circumstances around me, but instead trust in you completely.

I know you will protect and provide.

Thank you Lord,

Amen

- Cindy Howard