Acts 25 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Acts 25.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/act/25/1/s_1043001

Meditate on verses 18-19.

 

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 dead

 man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive.

 

Imprisoned at Caesarea by the Sea for two years was not wasted time for Paul (Acts 24:27).  The Holy Spirit gave him many opportunities to share his faith in this vital port city, and He gave Luke, who was with Paul, time to interview eyewitnesses of Jesus as he penned the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts (Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-2).  God’s timing is perfect.

 

The LORD often uses circumstances greater than we can fathom to move us and help us grow.  Paul relied on the Holy Spirit for what to say and do in his circumstances.  And after he did indeed go to Rome to appeal to Caesar, Paul penned these words to the Ephesian Christians:

 

So then do not be foolish but understand what

 the will of the LORD is.  And do not get drunk with wine,

 for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.

—Ephesians 5:17-18

 

Paul lived those words in his passionate plea to the Roman Governor Festus to appear before Caesar (vs. 10-12).  A Texas evangelist once said, “If you are drunk with wine, you say and do things you would not normally do.  If you are filled with the Spirit, you say and do things you would not normally do.”  As the Holy Spirit controls you, you miraculously do and say things you never thought possible for God’s glory.

 

Pray Acts 25:19 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, make _________ and me

like Paul, always ready

 to declare You are alive, Jesus!”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 4 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell