Acts 25 ~ Praying God's Word

Please read Acts 25

Meditate on verses 8 and 18-19

 Paul said in his own defense,

“I have committed no offense either

against the Law of the Jews

 or against the temple or against Caesar.”

When the accusers stood up, they began bringing charges against him,

 not of such crimes as I was expecting,

but they simply had some points of disagreement with him

 about their own religion and about a certain dead man,

 Jesus, who Paul asserted to be alive.

Power. The Roman sea city of Caesarea was a huge military fortress strategically located to prevent attacks against Rome by sea from hostile countries in the East. When Festus became the Roman governor, he inherited in his prison, Paul, whom the previous governor, Felix, was holding to protect and to appease the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem. As Festus took the mantle of power, the Jewish leaders who wanted to kill Paul approached him. But Paul had “... committed no offense against the Law of the Jews, or against the temple, or against Caesar” (Acts 25:8). He was what he would later command Timothy and all elders to be, “above reproach” (1 Timothy 3:2).

Power. Paul was being held for believing Jesus was alive. He knew Jesus was alive. He talked with Him. He had Jesus in his life. He was filled with the Holy Spirit. He talked to the LORD without ceasing. He was being accused of believing in the resurrection. Power.

Power. Paul stood before the governor, his military leaders, all of the important civic leaders; then King Agrippa and his wife Bernice walked in, all there to witness Paul’s testimony, to see if they could even have charges filed against him.

Power. Many of you face trials with both just and unjust court systems, fair and unfair laws, and abuses of power. Many of you are falsely accused or are separated from your loved ones due to national catastrophes. You may be reading this in a refugee camp or in prison awaiting trial. Find power in the Holy Spirit and pray. The LORD is always with you, and He is more powerful than all of the kings of the earth. As a Christian, you are already spiritually resurrected. Power!

Pray Acts 25:8 and 19 over yourself and those you know in distress as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7)

“LORD, help  ___________ and me to live as Paul,

committing no offense against the law

and with the courage to assert before others that You are alive.

In Your name, Jesus~”