Remember - Joy will destroy anger!!!

Event: Paul’s Trial Before Felix
S – Scripture
Acts 24 v. 10 And when the Governor had motioned him to speak, Paul replied, "Realizing that for many years you have been judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense."
 
O – Observation
An interesting approach to defending the faith. Cheerful. Webster defines cheerful as, "generally happy in a good mood." Which is a great mindset for defending the faith. So often when attacked, we can get in the fight or flight mode. Clearly God does not want us to fight or not show up for him, but God wants our fight to be different than a human inspired fight. Human inspired fight, begets anger, raises emotion, and begins the one upedness. Eye for an eye. But God inspired fight as reflected in Paul is with Cheerfulness. Joy will destroy anger. After all, we are talking about the greatest gift ever!!!
 
A - Application
What is my approach to defending the faith?  
 

P – Prayer
Jesus, Put joy in my approach to defending the faith.   Love Will.
 

Photo by MI PHAM on Unsplash

Know your life story

Event: Paul’s Trial Before Felix

S – Scripture
Acts 24 v. 8  By examining him yourself you will be able to learn everything of which we accuse him.
 
O – Observation
Exam. Learn. Live your life story. Live your life for Christ. Let all that you do be a reflection of Him in your life. Study God’s word. Live God’s word. Think about God’s word. Be prepared to share your faith. 1 Peter 3 v. 15, “But in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who call you to account for the hope that in in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence.” Sharing your hope and faith does not mean you have to be some great Theologian or a Pastor, it is simply sharing your story (which you know best) and how God has played a role in it. Remember Peter and John’s response in Acts 4v . 20, “for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
 
A - Application
Am I prepared to make a defense for my faith?    
 
P – Prayer
Jesus, Organize my mind, my experiences so that I can defend my faith.  Love Will

Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash
 

Be Gone Satan!

 Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - Scripture: Matthew 4:10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.”

O - OBSERVATION: This occurred after the 3rd temptation when Jesus had spent 40 days in the wilderness fasting. In the first temptation the devil knew Jesus was hungry so tempted him to turn stones into bread and Jesus answered, It is written, “Man does not live by bread alone 
but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took Him to the Holy City, on the very top of the temple and told Him if you are the Son of God throw yourself down and the angels will save you. Again Jesus answered, “It is written, you shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” Then the devil took him to a high mountain and told Jesus if He would bow down to Satan, the devil would give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. That’s when Jesus 
answered with the above text.

A - APPLICATION: From Jesus we learn important lessons about dealing with temptation, first He was tempted with every temptation known to man, so there is nothing new!  Secondly, Jesus fought back every time with a verse from scripture, therefore being armed with God’s Holy Word is always a good  tactic and makes our Pastor’s point that we should know the scriptures. Finally, point number three, tell Satan to be gone, "get thee behind me” in the king James version.

We can only do this because Satan has been defeated by Jesus! But to defeat him, we need Jesus, we can’t do it ourselves and we need to remind ourselves and Satan that Jesus has soundly beaten him and he has no power over us!!!!!

P - PRAYER Gracious Father, I’m so thankful You have defeated Satan for us, keep us ever mindful of that and remind us always when tempted, call upon Jesus and ask for His intervention. Help us to know He is always near and ready to help. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

Think about the Adjectives that describe you

Event: Paul’s Trial Before Felix
S – Scripture
Acts 24 v. 5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and agitator among all the Jews throughout the world and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
 

O – Observation
You will be hated by all nations for my names sake. Matthew 24 v. 9b. In today’s verse, the Jewish leaders are presenting their case against Paul to the Roman leadership. The picture that they paint is less than glowing, pestilent, agitator, ringleader. It’s an interesting list of adjectives. I'm sure if you asked the people that he preached to, lived with, there would be a different set of adjectives. Which makes me wonder, what are the adjectives used to describe us? Especially when it comes to our faith. Hers a great list of adjectives to strive for. Galatians 5 b. 22-23a, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy , peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
 
A - Application
What are the adjectives used to describe me?   
 
P – Prayer
Jesus, Let the adjectives used to describe me be about action.  Love Will.

Image by Greg Waskovich from Pixabay 
 

Don't be confused on who to honor

Event: Paul’s Trial Before Felix
S – Scripture
Acts 24 v. 2b-3 (Tertullas speaking): Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your provision, most excellent Felix, reforms are introduced on your behalf of this nation, in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude.
 
O – Observation
Confusion of honor. Today's verses sounds like a testament to our God. But, really, this is a testament, praise and honor to a man. The Jewish leaders are going to compare and contrast what man has done vs. what a Man of God has done, as they bring their acquisitions against Paul. The world will recognize leaders that present an agenda that conforms to their standards. But, we have to realize God's sovereignty. God allows, puts, places, blesses and curses leaders as he sees fit. Psalm 24 v. 1, "The earth is the Lords; and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell their-in."
 

A - Application
Am I confused on who I honor?
 
P – Prayer
Jesus, You are King of everything.   Love Will.
 

Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay

Be prepared for Satan's A-Team

Event: Paul’s Trial Before Felix

S – Scripture
Acts 24 v. 1-2a And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the Governor their case against Paul; and when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him.
 
O – Observation
The world's logic. The world's A-team. It’s interesting to note, that the Jewish leaders sent their A-team to state their case against Paul. High Priest (subject matter expert) and the lawyer (Tertullas) the smoothie. It makes me think and realize that when one is being accused of their Christian faith, Satan will not allow a second rate crew to steal your soul. Nope, he will send the A-team, to provide acquisitions, half-truths, new doctrines, and politically correct point of views. How can one possibly prepare for this? Be in His word on a daily basis.
 
A - Application
Am I preparing myself for the world's A-team?   
 
P – Prayer
Jesus, Give me the words and wisdom to stand against the A-team.  Love Will.

Photo by Merakist on Unsplash
 

Be more than just a Fan!!!

Event: Paul transferred to Caesarea  

S – Scripture
Acts 23 v.  35 He (the Governor) said, "I will hear you when your accusers arrive" And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod's Praetorian.
 
O – Observation
Accuses! Webster defines accuse to be, "say that someone is guilty". Accusing is a verb. Accusing is pointing the finger. Accusing is singling someone out. Paul was accused of being a follower of God. Actually, he was a "Jesus Freak." Which makes me think of DC talk's lyrics on Jesus Freaks. "What will people say when the know that I'm a Jesus Freak. I don't really care. There's no disguising the truth." Being accused of your Christian faith moves one from being a fan or a causal acquaintance to being a follower. A follower is defined as a supporter, a believer. Because to follow is to understand, and to understand is to act, do and live your life for Christ.
 
A - Application
Have I been accused of being a follower of Christ/Jesus Freak?
 
P – Prayer
Jesus, Let me be "Freaky" for you.  Love Will.