RTW December 4
Incarcerated
After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.
Acts 24:27
My Takeaways
Something Old
Regardless of the situation:
- Maintain your innocence; especially to yourself. Paul never wavered. He wasn’t guilty and he knew it. It’s vital that we believe our innocence. The length of our captivity can often convince us “they were right.” (Acts 24:16)
- Keep repeating the truth. Paul never hesitated to tell the truth to everyone who would listen. He told the same story in the same way before every official he went before. (Acts 24:17-21)
- Remain respectful. Paul never lost his cool. He treated everyone with the respect they deserved. This was recognized. He was given freedoms other prisoners did not have. (Acts 24:23)
Something New
When we stay strong, we have the opportunity to watch the hand of God work, in spite of our circumstances. And when the prison door opens, we will see clearly how He worked all things together for our good because we loved Him and held our faith until our knuckles turned white.
Something to Do
Refuse to let my incarceration kill my faith, destroy my testimony, or steal my peace of my mind.
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Thank you again. I am blessed by the insight the Lord gives you. I could relate on all points. Recently I have been very tired getting up and also going to bed. It makes it hard to stay clear minded due to some tough circumstances. This is a great place to come when the Lord uses someone like you to keep me going when I am not thinking as clearly as I would like due to fatigue or distraction. I bless you in the name of Jesus, for continued strength and favor as you pursue God’s calling in your life.
My Takeaways: True Witnessing
Something Old: Interesting when Felix hears Paul’s words, he becomes ‘afraid’ and sends Paul away (Acts 24:25). Felix the governor trembles before Paul the prisoner because the prisoner’s words expose the governor’s heart.
Something New: Todays reading taught me a lot about the gospel.
1. True witnessing often involves boldly facing or going against another person – not in a rude or attacking way – but face to face with someone who needs to hear the truth.
2. True witnessing is always about Jesus and the person He claimed to be.
3. True witnessing lets others know that they are sinners, exposes their sins, and informs them about the day of judgement.
4. True witnessing teaches others who Jesus was and what he did for them so they come to an understanding of their need for a Savior.
True witnessing may very well cause one to tremble.
Something To Do: Always remember the importance of being able to make a defense for my faith and be prepared to receive harsh treatment from the nay sayers, but never return their fire.