The day with dianne Louise

Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By one of works? No, on the contrary, by the law of faith. For we conclude we are justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Romans 3:27,28 The Law of faith! What are the components of this law?  God, is the basis, His character, His nature. Grace through love is the driving force. The word of God is the principle. Faith is the action, in trust on all of the above. The result is justification. In the Old Testament the law of Moses was in charge. The components of this law were: God, His righteousness and holiness Sinful man never completely free bound to actions, rules and regulations. The word of God was the principle. The driving force was a legal requirement to obey. The result was a need for constant sacrifice for a temporary forgiveness and freedom. I know which one I choose, option A. Why try to be right and constantly fail when I can live in faith that He is right and I live in and throug Him. A no brainer...

But now, apart from the law, God's righteousness has been revealed- attested by the Law and the Prophets- that is, God's righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. They are justified freely in His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God presented Him as a propitiation through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His restraint God passed over the sins previously committed. God presented Him to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be righteous and declare righteous the one who has faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 3:21-26 As I read the Old Testament I see the golden thread that represents God's grace coming into the world, Jesus Chrsit. As I read I am on a treasure hunt for that thread. At times it becomes an image, at other times a hidden glow of glory to come. For me the Old Testament is not abo...

There is no one righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away; all alike have become useless. There is no one who does good, not even one. Their throat is an open grave; they deceive wih their tongues. Viper's venom is under their lips. Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and wretchedness are in their paths, and the path of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes. Romans 3:10-18 Here Paul is quoting a compilation of scriptures: Psalm 14:1-3; Psalm 5:9; Psalm 140:3; Psalm 10:7; Is 59:7-8; Psalm 36:1 Guess what Paul's favourite scriptures are? Here it looks like Psalms and Isaiah. Yet Paul puts all the scriptures together expertly, woven in gold. He is showing us that mankind is unable to be holy, pure, righteous or even decent, except for the power of God. Today I went to a funeral service, without a body, it was already buried. Have yo...

So what advantage does a Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? Considerable in every way. Firstly, they were entrusted with the spoken words of God. What then, if some did not believe, will their unbelief cancel God's faithfulness? Absolutely not! God must be true, even if everyone is a liar, as it is written: That you may be justified by your words and triumph when You judge. Romans 3:1-4 The quoted scripture comes out of Psalm 51. This is the Psalm David wrote when his sin with Bathsheba was uncovered by Nathan the prophet. It actually says: 'Against You- You alone- I have sinned and done this evil in Your sight. So You are right when you pass sentence; You are blameless when You judge.' (Verse 4) As Paul says, the Jew has an advantage, if it is taken by faith, of being entrusted with the word of God. God chose them from the beginning to walk with Him as His people. Yet again and again they struggled to be faithful. As a Gentile, I now know that the good news ...

For circumcision benefits you if you observe the law, but if you are a lawbreaker, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. Therefore if an uncircumcised man keeps the law requirements, will his uncircumcision not be counted as circumcision? A man who is physically uncircumcised, but who fulfills the law, will judge you who are a lawbreaker in spite of you having a letter of the law and circumcision, For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh. On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart- by the Spirit, not the letter. That man's praise is not from man but from God. Romans 2:25-29 Feeling superior for any reason, not only a physical one as in circumcision, will only benefit our egos but not our eternal salvation, if we fail to recognise our God's view and priority. Our God wants us to be pure as  He is pure, this can only be done as we walk in the Spirit. Why do we c...

Now if you call yourself a Jew (Christian-italics mine), and rest in the law, boast in God, know His will, and approved the things that are superior, being instructed from the law, and if you are convinced you are a guide for the blind, a light to those in darkness, an instructor of the ignorant, a teacher of the immature, having the full expression of knowledge and truth in the law- you then, who teach another, do you teach yourself? You who preach, "You must not steal"- do you steal? You who say- "You must not commit adultery,"- do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob their temples? You who boast in the law, do you dishonour God by breaking the law? For, as it is written: 'The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.' Romans 2:17-24 Many parts of Christendom operate according to the law, that is they do not teach the freedom of Christ. Yet, even in those churches that do teach the freedom of the gospel, there are many b...

All those who sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all those who sinned under the law will be judged under the law. For the hearers of the law will not be called righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be called righteous. So when the Gentiles, who do not have the law, instinct lay do what the law demands, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the works of the law is written on their hearts. Their conscience confirms this. Their competing thoughts will either accuse or excuse them, on the day when God judges what people have kept secret, according to the gospel through Jesus Christ. Romans 2:12-16 Having a knowledge of law is not good enough to, we need a living relationship with the One who give it. Abraham was before the law, his acts with validate him. He instinct lay did what was right before God, most of the time. When we allow our conscience to convict up us about God and His ways, we are helped alon...

Therefore, any one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, so the same things. We know that God's judgement on those who do such things is based on truth. Do you really think- anyone who judges who do such things yet do the same- that you will escape God's judgement? Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognising, that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? But because of your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God's righteous judgement is revealed. He will repay to each one according to his work: eternal life to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honour, and immortality; but wrath and indignation to those who are self-seeking and disobey the truth but are obeying unrighteousness; affliction and distress for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the...

This is why God delivered them over to degrading passions. For even their females exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. The males in the same way also left natural relations with females and were inflamed in their lust for one another. Males committed shameless acts with males and received in their persons the appropriate penalty of their error. And because they did not think it worthwhile to acknowledge God, God delivered them over to a worthless mind to do what is morally wrong. They are filled with all unrighteousness, evil, greed, and wickedness. They are full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, arrogant, proud, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, u ndiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, and unmerciful. Although they know full well God's just sentence- that those who practice such things deserve to die- they not only do them, but even applaud others who practice them. Romans 1:26-32 This is th...

For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals and reptiles. Therefore God delivered them over in the cravings of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that they bodies were degraded among themselves. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen! Romans 1:21-25 I am watching this happen in the lives of people I know. Wilful choosing to believe nonsense and refusing to give glory to God. Some have had miracles but once over their initial joy revert to their nonsensical thinking about deities they create in their minds allowing them to escape eternal accountability. Yet, the horrifying fact is, Satan is real and his deception of them is thorough...

For the wrath of God is revealed against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, since what can be know about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. For Hus invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood throug what He has made. As a result people are without an excuse. Romans 1:18-20 To tell people that God does not have wrath or revulsion for sin is courting disaster. That is like saying God sits in the corner and asks us to beat Him. Yes He is gracious and long suffering but the sin we do carries a cost. He still seeks us and gives us ways to repent but if we keep throwing it back in His face, when is enoug enough? Every seed that is sown bears fruit: you sow bad seed, you still get a bad harvest; conversely you sow good seed you get a good crop. As I look back in my life. Know why I reaped certain harvests, I'...

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For in it God's righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: the righteous will live by faith. Romans 1:16,17 Paul here is quoting Habakkuk 2:4, the full verse says: see, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright- but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness. Different versions use crooked instead of enemy. In other words if God's people are to live as God's people they must live out of faith in Him and His righteousness and not be self-reliant, crooked and perverse. I cannot rely on my own hand, but rather God's, His rule book, not my adapted version which allows leniency and escape. Have you ever been with another Christian who is sharing the gospel with a stranger and felt embarrassed? I have and I have been the person sharing and had one with me who was embarrassed. What causes...

First, I thank My God through Jesus Christ for all of you because the news of your faith is being reported in all the world. For God, whom I serve with my spirit in telling the good news about His Son, is my witness that I constantly mention you, always asking in my prayers that if I somehow in God's will, I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I want very much to see you, so I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, to be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. Romans 1:8-12 What love Paul has for the Romans! How could he love them so much, unless the Lord put them on his heart. His longing to see them took him to Jerusalem, imprisonment, shipwreck and on a very long and arduous journey to finally arrive to be with those he longed for. There are people in my world that I sense the love of God on and I am compelled to be with them, I am tender towards them. It really makes no sense in the natural but God compels me. Pau...

Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and singled out for God's good news- which he promised long ago through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures-concerning His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh and who has been declared to be the powerful Son of God by the resurrection from the dead according to the Spirit of Holiness. We have received grace and apostleship through Him to bring about the obedience of faith among all the nations, on behalf of His name, including yourselves who also belong to Jesus Christ by calling: to all you who are in Rome, loved by God, called as saints. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:1-7 This book shows Paul's undying passion for Christ and the truth he brings into the believers life. Paul wrote this while he was in Corinth, probably after meeting Priscilla and Aquila in Corinth. The tone of Paul's letter to the Romans reflects all he learned ab...

Let t be know to you that the saving work has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen! Then he stayed two whole years in his own rented house. And he welcomed all who visited him proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with full boldness and without hindrance. Acts 28:28; 30,31 The Jews who had been prepared as a recipticle for the gospel rejected it. The clay told the potter where to go and that it knew better than he did their future. How sad! Today, the church must not turn its back on the fullness of the gospel or the Lord will take the candlestick elsewhere. We cannot insist we know better than our creator. Today I was delighted to find out that my new neighbours are family relations who I have not seen in a long while and whom I am going to enjoy getting to know again. I rejoice they have come and welcome the new along with them. As they are building I have offered my home as a clean rest and toilet break if they need it. I know...

The Holy Spirit correctly spoke through the prophet Isaiah to your ancestors when He said: Go to these people and say; You will listen and listen, yet never understand; And you will look and look, yet never perceive. For the hearts of these people have grown callous, their ears hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; otherwise they might see wi their eyes and hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and be converted, and I would heal them. Acts 28:26,27 Paul, here, was speaking from Isaiah 6:9-10. Isn't it interesting that we could speak this word today and it would fit. Without a divine outpouring of the Holy Spirit and a renewed awareness of sin and the need for repentance, the hearts of many have grown cold. What can I do about It? Pray! Intercede! Love and speak. I see people in the church, those I care about living much the same as the world and thinking it is fine. The Jews had strict practices and adherences yet they had relaxed so many laws in the treatmen...

After arranging a day with him, many came to him at his lodging. From dawn to dusk he expounded and witnessed about the kingdom of God. He tried to persuade them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets. Some were persuaded by what he said, but others did not believe. Acts 28:23-25 Today I saw in my local paper a notice that a prominent psychologist, sociologist, social researcher, writer and former teacher by the name of Hugh McKay will be in town to promote his book 'Beyond Belief.' This man is questioning why, in a society in Australia where only 10% go to church and many now opt for their version of spirituality, why in crisis do people turn to God. His book questions the relevance of the need to turn to God. This man typifies what many are thinking and the many who think this and adhere to this way of thinking will discover that their cleverness led them straight down a path to eternal darkness. The Jews were hard towards Jesus being their saviour. It m...

After three days Paul called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered he said to them: "Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. After they examined me, they wanted to release me, since I had not committed a capital offence. Because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar; it was not as though I had any accusation against my nation. For this reason I've asked to see you and speak to you. In fact, it is for the hope of Israel that I'm wearing this chain." Then they said to him, "We haven't received any letters about you from Judea. None of the brothers have come and reported or spoken anything evil about you. But we would like to hear from you what you think. For concerning this sect, we are aware that it is spoken against everywhere." Acts 28:17-22 A clean slate with no accusers, must have been refres...

And so we came to Rome. Now the believers from there had heard the news about us and had come to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. When we entered Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself with a soldier who guarded him. Acts 28:14-16 Finally to have arrived in the place Paul had know he was to go, to be met by believers, how refreshing! I have been away for the weekend minding grandchildren and we had all sorts of dramas: accidents, fights, no car, no internet (now, come on- that is hard with a bunch of youngsters needing activity). We ate well and played hard. Did lots of pretend, craft, colouring, painting, helping nan. I was able to teach my little scientist all about human anatomy, and at 6 he took it all in, even calling them systems, well done Archie! This guy is on my page, he loves colouring in, craft, animals, adventure. Now I am home, I made it back in time for church and heard a message I need...

There was an estate near by that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the Island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitbably. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after praying, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. They honoured us in many ways and when we were ready to leave, they furnished us with the supplies we needed. Acts 28:7-9 These people needed Paul to visit, not only were the sick healed but, although it is not mentioned, I am sure the gospel was preached. This morning my day started at 4am. The eldest grandson was sick. Over an hour he travailed, I prayed for him, gave him a drink and he vomited, feeling better. Needless to say the rest of the children were disturbed and we will all need an early night tonight. We have a full day to fill and my prayer is that the Lord goes before me, empowers me, enabl...

Paul was gathering a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer, for though he escaped form the sea, justice had not allowed him to live." But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. Acts 28:3-6 Superstitious beliefs attach themselves to things that happen to us and others. We can't seem to help ourselves with suspicion. Yet, if we go to God, he is setting up either a test, a manifestation of His glory or both. Today, I am in Brisbane babysitting five grandchildren. I had a hurried information session at which I was told the car keys would be in the car. At the time prescribed I went to the car...

Once ashore, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The local people showed us extraordinary kindness, for they lit a fire and took us all in, since it was raining and cold. Acts 28:1,2 Shipwreck can be either a devastating experience or a new adventure. Luke writes this is a way that tells us God is good and still on the throne. They could have been shipwrecked and eaten by cannibals but they were welcomed by the Maltese. When first saved I met and befriended two Maltese, a brother and sister. They were lovely people,mind and generous. From seeing them again on Facebook I can also see they still walk with Jesus. Allow shipwreck to bring blessing, look for the good, as there is plenty to complain about if our eyes are on the negative, lift you eyes and fix them on Jesus, He is good. Paul and Luke were living for Jesus. Every experience was new in Him. Amen!

The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners so that none could swim awa and escape. But the centurion kept them from carrying out their plan because he wanted to save Paul, so he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. The rest were to follow, some on planks and some on debris from the ship. In this way, everyone safely reached the shore. Acts 27:42-44 Paul had previously told everybody that they would all be saved, yet here were the soldiers, resorting to standard protocol and wanting to kill all the prisoners. Fortunately God intervened by using the commander to halt the plan.  I am currently having to look at selling my client base as the lender wants the money. I have had a good response and thought that a certain amount was all I would get, but tonight my son called and said, "No, don't undersell yourself, you should get a whole lot more." I am not greedy, but bartering for myself is not my strong suit. I have to decide if I want my...

When it was about daylight, Paul urged them all to take food saying, "Today is the fourteenth day that you have been waiting and going without food, having eaten nothing. Therefore I urge you to take some food. For this has to do with your survival, since none of you will lose a hair from your head." After he said these things and had taken some bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of the all, and when he broke it he began to eat. They all became encouraged and took food themselves. In all there were 276 of us on the ship. When they had eaten enough, they began to lighten the ship by throwing grain overboard into the sea. Acts 27:33-38 Paul, a man of faith, takes charge. The sailors were lost, hungry and ready to give up. Yet Paul encouraged them to hang in there. He knew God had a plan. God was going before him, and them also for that matter. When it seems like the end is near, it is just the end of one vessel and the beginning of a new experience. Throughout life we...

For many days neither sun nor stars appeared, and the severe storm kept raging. Finally all hope that we would be saved was disappearing. Since many had gone without food, Paul stood among them and said, you men should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete and sustain this damage and loss. Now I urge you to take courage, because there will be no loss of any of your lives, but only of the ship. For this night an angel of the God I belong to and serve stood by me, and said, Don't be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. And look! God has graciously given you all those who are sailing with you. Therefore, take courage, men, because I believe God that it will be just the way it was told to me. However, we must run aground on a certain island." Acts 27:20-26 Paul has yet to ear the right to be heard by the sailors. As far as they can tell he is a ranting lunatic. They would be very superstitious and the god of the sea that they served, they probably believed he was a...

"I wish before God," replied Paul, "that whether easily or with difficulty, not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am- except for these chains." So Agrippa, Fesuts the governor, Bernice, and those sitting with them got up, and when they had left they talked with each other and said, "This man is doing nothing the deserves death or chains." Then Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar." Acts 26:29-32 Paul spoke powerfully and won the respect of those who, listened to him. These were not enraged Jews who refused to accept Jesus was Lord, that they had made a mistake. Yet, in their objectivism I hope the fact that they needed to be saved should not have escaped them. It is right here it is wondered if Paul made the right request in appealing to Caesar. If he had been set free then and there he could have gone to Rome a free man, but God was in his request. There were people P...

Agrippa said to Paul, "It is permitted for you to speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense: "I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that today I am going to make a defence before you about everything I am accused of by the Jews, especially since you are an expert in all Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. All the Jews know my way of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem. They had previously known me for quite some time, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I lived a Pharisee. And now I stand trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers, the promise our 12 tribes hope to attain as they earnestly serve Him night and day. King Agrippa, I am being accused by the Jews because of this hope. Why is it considered incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?" Acts 26:1...

After some days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea and paid a courtesy visit on Festus. Since they stayed there many days, Festus presented Paul's case to the King, saying, "There's a man who was left in prison by Felix. When I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and elders of the Jews presented their case and asked for a judgement against him. I answered them that it is not the Romans' custom to give any man up before the accused confronts the accusers face to face and has an opportunity to give a defence concerning the charges. Therefore, when they had assembled here, I did not delay. The next day I sat on the judges bench and ordered the man to be brought in. Concerning him his accusers stood and brought no charge of the sort I was expecting. Instead they had some disagreements with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, a dead man Paul claimed to be alive. Since I was at a loss in a dispute over such things, I asked him if he ...

Three days after Festus arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. Then the chief priests and leaders of the Jews presented their case against Paul to him; and they appealed, asking him to do them a favour against Paul, that he might summon him to Jerusalem. They were preparing to ambush him along the road to kill him. However, Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to go there shortly. "Therefore," he said, "let the men of authority among you go down with me and accuse him, if here is any wrong in this man." When he had spent not more than 8 days or 10 days among them, he went down to Caesarea. The next day, seated at the judge's bench, he commanded Paul to be brought in. When he arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him and brought many serious charges that they were not able to prove, while Paul made the defence that, "Neither against the Jewish law, nor against t...

After some days Felixs came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus. Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgement to come, Felix became afraid and replied, "Leave for now, but when I find the time I'll call for you." At the same time he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul. For this reason he sent for him quite often and conversed with him. After two years had passed, Felix received a successor, Porcius Festus, and because he wished to do a favour for the Jews, Felix left Paul in prison. Acts 24:24-27 What makes us afraid of the gospel? Sin. Felix had taken his wife from another man. This is an obvious sin but the fact that he was seeking money from Paul tells us of other sins, the fact that he left Paul in prison as a favour to the Jews tells us this man had many flaws. But Jesus does not call the righteous to repent, but the unrighteousness, so we are all all...

When the governor motioned to Paul to speak, he replied:" Becaue I know you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I am glad to offer my defence in what concerns me. You are able to determine that is no more than 12 days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. They didn't find me disputing with anyone or causing a disturbance among the crowd, either in the temple complex or in the synagogues or anywhere in the city. Neither can they provide evidence to you of what they now bring against me. But I confess this to you: I worship my father's God according to the Way, which they call a sect, believing all things that are written in the laws and the prophets. And I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there is going to be a resurrection, both of the righteous and the unrighteousness. After many years I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my nation, and while I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in th...

After five days Ananias the high priest came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullius. These men presented their case against Paul to the governor. When he was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him and said, "Since we enjoy great peace because of you, and reforms are taking place for the benefit of this nation by your foresight, we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent affliction, with utmost gratitude, however, so that I will not burden you further, I beg you in your graciousness to give us a hearing. For we have found this man to be a plague, an agitator among the Jews throughout the Roman world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes! He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we apprehended him (and wanted to judge him according to our law. But Lysias the commander came and took him from our hands with great force, commanding his accusers to come to you.) by examining him yourself you will be able to discern all these things we are ac...

The Commander summoned two of his centurion's and said, "Get 200 soldiers ready with 70 Calvary and 200 spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight. Also provide mounts so they can put Paul on them and bring him safely to Felix, the governor." Acts 23:23,24 Isn't it amazing how far the Lord went to protect Paul against 40 Jews. The route they took went along the coast road and therefore the amount of protection was way above that necessary. God is good! Paul had to go to Rome, he was willing to go to Rome and nothing was going to stop him getting there. When God wants something done he does it, He pays for it, opens doors for it, makes way for it.  I am planning on going to Nepal in September and have a lot happening at work between now and then. I have changes coming at work yet I have prayed and asked the Lord to make a way, He is. I know God's message of salvation needs to go forth. I want His will to be done, His Kingsom to come. This isn't about me, but Hi...

The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, "Have courage! For as you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome." When it was day the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under a curse: neither to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. There were more than 40 who had formed this plot. But the son of Paul's sister, hearing about their ambush, came and entered the barracks and reported to Paul. Acts 23:11-13;16 The enemy can cut themselves, turn inside out and die stupidly by laying curses upon themselves all because of hatred. These men would not be able to fulfill their vow, because it was not motivated by God. God had appeared to Paul to encourage him, His will would be done. When Paul's nephew reports to Paul, Paul sends for the commander who takes it seriously and arranges for Paul to be escorted to Caesarea to Felixstowe the governor. Paul was on his way, just as the Lord said he would be, at Rome's expense. The...

When Paul realised that one part of the Sanhedrin were Pharisee and the other Saducees, he cried out, ""Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of a Pharisee! I am being judged because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead!" When he said this a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Saducees, and the assembly was divided. For the Saducees say there is no resurrection, and no angel or spirit, but the Pharisee's affirm them all. The shouting grew loud, and some of the scribes of the Pharisee's party got up and argued vehemently: "We find nothing evil in this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" When the dispute became violent, the commander feared that Paul might be torn apart by them and ordered the troops to go down, rescue him from them, and bring him into the barracks. Acts 23:6-10 Paul was a master orator and a very clever man. He knew his enemy because he had been one of them. This he used to his advantage. The Pharisee's ha...

The next day, since he wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews, he released him and instructed the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin to convene. Then he brought Paul down and placed him before them. Paul looked intently at the Sanhedrin and said, "Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience until this day." But the high priest Ananias ordered those who were standing next to him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! You are sitting there judging me according to the law, and in violation of the law are you ordering me to be struck?" Acts 22:30-23:3 As if a fair hearing as going to happen. The commander wanted to understand something so deep and terrible, he was not going to obtain a good result. What makes a group of people behave so emotionally and illogically? Religion! Or should I say, religious spirits! Paul starts well but Annanias takes exception to h...

As they were yelling and flinging aside their robes and throwing dust into the air, the commander ordered Paul to be brought into the barracks, directing that he be examined by the scourge, so he could discover the reason they were shouting against him like this. As they stretched him out for the lash, Paul said to the centurion standing by, "Is it legal for you to scourge a man who is a Roman citizen and is uncondemned?" Acts 22:23-25 The Jews were demonstrative in their judgement of Paul, a little hysterical but thoroughly enraged at him for going to the Gentiles. The centurion was going to scourge him, it is said examining him by the lash. Perhaps under the lash truth not yet know would come out. Fortunately for Paul one of his forebears had earned the precious Roman citizenship. As the centurion went on to tell him, he spent a lot of money to buy his but here was a man, a Jew at that, who had been born a Roman citizen. How good is God? He had Paul's forebears be endow...

As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, Paul said to the commander, "Am I allowed to say something to you?" He replied, "Do you know Greek? Aren't you the Egyptian who raised a rebellion some time ago and led 4000 assassins into the wilderness?" Paul said, "I am a Jewish man from Tarsus of Cilicia, a citizen of an important city. Now I ask you, let me speak to the people." After he had given permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned with his hand to the people. When there was a great hush, he addressed the people in the Hebrew language." Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defence before you." Acts 21:37-22:1 Paul was going to give his address if at all possible. It is funny that the commander thought him other than who he was. Perhaps he heard a rumour or perhaps he was misinformed. Paul stands to give his address and the Jews listen right through his testimony about how he had persecuted the away and how he met Jesus bu...

Then the next day, Paul took the men, having purified himself along with them, and entered the temple, announcing completion of he purification days when the offering for each of them would be made. As the seven days were about to end, the Jews from Asia saw him in the temple complex, stirred up the whole crowd, and seized him, shouting, "Men of Israel, helps, this is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people, out law, and this place. What's more he also brought agrees into the temple and has profaned this holy place." Acts 21:26-28 The Jews were  despised Greeks, believed that only the Jewish law was correct and felt Paul had turned his back on all things sacred. For me to understand this I only have my catholic upbringing to compare with. In my extended family there is no thought of turning away from Catholicism, even if they don't attend, they are still Catholic. Along with the beliefs there is worship of Mary, rosary beads, holy days, worship of s...

When we reached Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us gladly. The following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.  After greeting them, he related in detail what God did among the Gentiles through his ministry. When they heard it, they glorified God and said, "You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law. But they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to abandon Moses, by telling them not to circumcise their children or walk in our customs. So what is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. Therefore do what we tell you ....." Acts 21:17-23 Paul not only had to contend with Jews who did not want to believe. But now he is told that believing Jews will not be happy. A believing Jew still held to the customs of the law, there was not much difference between what they were before salvation and after, except they accepted Jesus. P...

While we were staying there many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. He came to us, took Paul's belt, tied his own feet and hands and said, "This is what the Holy Spirit says: " in this way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into Gentile hands." When we heard this, both we and the local people begged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul replied, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. Since he would not be persuaded, we stopped talking and simply said, "The Lord's will be done!" Acts 21:10-14 Before the cross Jesus had a similar experience in that He had set His face 'like a flint,' to Calvary. He knew that He knew He must die and be raised again. He did not relish the thought of the punishment but more the result, a salvation that surpassed eons of time, nothing cou...

The next day we left and came to Caesarea, where we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven, and stayed with him. This man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. Acts 21:8,9 Philip figures several times in the Book of Acts, he was chosen as one of seven men to wait on tables, whilst the apostles waited on God and preached the word. We see Philip evangelising a city in Samaria in Acts 8, performing miracles and setting demoniacs free. Next we see Philip sent on the road down to Gaza and he ministers to an Ethopians man, a high officer of Queen Candice. The man is born again, baptised in water and Philip disappears and is found in Azotus. Here we see Philip living in Caesarea and having four virgin daughters, who prophesied. These daughters were single women who were also in the ministry with their dad. Saying they are virgins shows they have not married and stayed single. God does indeed use single people, both men and women. I have several single friends...

After we sighted Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we sailed on to Syria and arrived at Tyre, because the ship was to unload the cargo there. So we found some disciples and stayed there seven days. Through the Spirit they told Paul not to go to Jerusalem. When our days there were over, we left to continue our journey, while all of them, with their wives and children, escorted us out of the city. After kneeling down on the beach to pray, we said good-bye to one another. Then we boarded the ship and returned home. Acts 21:3-6 The Holy Spirit was warning Paul. I wonder if the men who gave the message further interpreted that he, therefore, should not go to Jerusalem? The spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet. Paul chose to proceed anyway. Was his face set like a flint, just as Jesus' had been? Paul knew he was destined for Rome, he obviously could trust that Jerusalem would be the pathway, not final destination. Paul wa saying goodbye to people along the route as finality had ...

"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock that the Holy Spirit has appointed you to as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, not sparing the flock. And men will rise up from your own number with deviant doctrines to lure the disciples into following them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering the night and day for three years I did not stop warning each one of you with tears. And now I commit you to God and to the message of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified." Acts 20:28-32 Knowing that people we shepherd are the Lords and purchased with His blood and not ours built with our own egos, may sober our attitude to them. Wether we lead a family, a church or a business, we lead someone and each of those someones are purchased by His blood and therefore important to Him. Paul believes with certainty t...

Now from Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus and Calle st he leaders of the church. And when they came to him, he said to them, "You know, from the first day I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time- serving the Lord with all humility, with tears, and with trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews- and that I did not shrink back from proclaiming to you anything that was profitable or from teaching it to you in public and from house to house. I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus. And now I  am on my way to Jerusalem, bound in my spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, except that in every town the Holy Spirit testifies to me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I might finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God's grace. And now I know that none of you will ever see my face again- ev...

On the first day of the week we assembled to break bread. Paul spoke to them, and since he was about to depart the next day, he extended his message until midnight. There were many lamps in the room upstairs where we were assembled, and a young man named Eutychus was siting on a window sill and sank into a deep sleep as Paul kept on speaking. When he was overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third storey and was picked up dead. But Paul went down, fell on him, embraced him, and said, "Don't be alarmed, for his life is in him!" After going upstairs, breaking the bread, and eating, Paul conversed with them a considerable time until down. Then he left. They brought the boy home alive and were greatly comforted. Acts 20:7-12 All in a day's work: preach until dawn, raIse a boy from the dead. This passage is written as if Paul took it all in his stride. Imagine string listening to Paul for over 12 hours, he must have been riveting. This might have been the last time thes...

When these events were over (miraculous healings and deliverances), Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem. "After I have been there," he said, "I must see Rome as well!" So after sending two of those who assisted him, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. During that time there was a major disturbance about the Way. F a person named Demetrius, s a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, provided a great deal of bUsiness for the craftsmen. When he had assembled them, as well as the workers engaged in this type of business, he said, "Men, you know that your prosperity is derived from this business. You both see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this man Paul has persuaded and mislead a considerable number of people by saying that gods made by hand are not gods! So not only do we run a risk that our business may be discredited, but also that the t...

God was performing extraordinary miracles by Paul's hands, so that even face cloths or work aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, and the diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them. Then some itinerant Jewish exorcists attempted to pronounce the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "I command you by the Jesus that Paul preaches!" Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. The evil spirit answered them, "I know Jesus, and I recognise Paul- but who are you?" Then the man who had the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowering them all, and prevailed against them, so that they ran out of the house naked and wounded. This became known to everyone who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. Then fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many who had become believers came confessing and disclosing their practices, while many of those who practised magic collected their boo...

Then Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly over a period of three months, engaging in discussion and trying to persuade them about things of the kingdom of God. But when some became hardened and would not believe, slandering the Way in front of the crowd, he withdrew from them and met separately with the disciples, conducting discussions every day in the lecture hall of Tyranus. And this went on for two years, so that the inhabitants of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the message about the Lord. Acts 19:8-10 It is important to know when to walk away. It is important to know when to speak and it is important to know how to handle the in betweens. I have persevered with a particular lady for a period of time and she is hard, for a time she started to soften but now she is hardening up. I sense the time to go is coming. There is a place I would rather be among those the hand of the Lord is upon. I will pray some more and see how she responds. Tomorrow I go bushwalking with someone...

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions and came to Ephesus. He found some disciples and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" "No," they told him, "we haven't even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." "Then what baptism were you baptised with?" He asked them. "With John's baptism," they replied. Paul said, "John baptised with a baptism of repentance, telling people that they should believe in the One who would be coming after him, that is, Jesus." When they heard this, they were banished in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, they began to speak in other languages and to prophesy. Now there were about 12 in all. Acts19:1-7 Apollos had just been in Ephesus and prior to him meeting Aquila and Priscilla, he preached the baptism of John. We are not told as to whether he was baptised in the Spirit but we are told he was converted to th...

A Jew named Apollos, a native Alexandrian, an eloquent man who was powerful in the use of the Scriptures, arrived in Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the aloud; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught the things about Jesus accurately, although he knew only John's baptism. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. After Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him home and explained the way of God to him more accurately. When he wanted to cross over to Achaia, the brothers wrote to the disciples urging them to welcome him. After he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace. For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating through he Scriptures that ages us is thenMessiah. Acts 18:24-28 Apollos was from Egypt, this shows us that the gospel had spread to Egypt, even though it did not have the full picture. Aquila and Priscilla did Apollos and Christianity a favour by taking Apollos home and filling him in on the more of t...

So Paul, having stayed on for many days, said goodbye to the brothers and sailed away to Syria. Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He shaved his head at Cenchrea because he had taken a vow. When they reached Ephesus he left them there, but he himself entered the synagogue and engaged discussion with the Jews. And though they asked him to stay for a longer time, he declined, but he said goodbye and stated, "I'll come back to you again, if God wills." Then he set sail from Ephesus. Acts 18:18-21 Taking vows was a part of the Jewish life and traditions. Yet here is a born again believing Jew taking a vow which has him shave his head. Shaving the head was required if a man who took a Nazarite vow came in contact with a dead body, yet Paul had shaved his head without mention of the type of vow, perhaps he had a modified idea of what he was doing. He definitely was a man separated unto God. We did not see Jesus taking vows, or his disciples for that matter. It does not seem so...

Then the Lord said to Paul in a night vision, "Don't be afraid, but keep on speaking and don't be silent. For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to hurt you, because I have many people in this city. " And he stayed there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. Acts 18:9-11 I can imagine that Paul might have been prone to develop a complex because of the ways the Jews reacted to him. Also, I find God tends to encourage before the storm. In Paul's case the storm was coming, he just had 18 months relief. In his period of time Paul would have been able to stabilise the believers and give them a good foundation. However, we learn from the letters to the Corinthians that they fell into error. The city of Corinth was completely destroyed in 146 AD. Eventually the Jews stood up against Paul and tried to have him arrested but ended by beating he leader of the synagogue instead. After this Paul only stayed a few more days and then left for ...

After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth, where he found a Jewish man named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Cladius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome, Paul came to them, and being of the same occupation, stayed with them and worked, for they were tent makers by trade. He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and tried to,persuade both Jews and Greeks. When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with preaching the message and solomonly testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. But when they resisted and blasphemed,  he shook his robe, and told them, "Your blood is on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." So he left there and went to the house of a man named Titus Justus, a worshipper of God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed the Lord, along with his whole household. Many of the Corinth...