Dear Lord, though the enemy tries to scheme against You, I know that noneof Your purposes will fail. - P99
I pray that you would give me strength and courageto stay the course as I serve You. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P99
God loves to speak to every single one of His children. But in order tohear from Him, we need to be sensitive and attentive to His voice. - P99
Inour relationship with our Father, we must learn to discern His voiceand create spacefor Him to speak to us. Another thing we shouldunderstand is that God does not communicate to all of us in the sameway. - P99
The One who created us knows our heart languages. To some,
He communicates through dreams, to others through visions, and toothers through a still small voice impressed on their hearts. - P99
But aboveall, He speaks to us through His written Word. God‘s Word is a loveletter to His children. Through it, He reveals His will to us. - P99
The simplediscipline of studying God‘s Word will train us to be more sensitiveto His voice. - P99
20 He said: "Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bringPaul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext ofwanting more accurate information about him.
21 Don‘t give in to them, because more than forty ofthem are waiting in ambush for him. They have takenan oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him.
They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their
""
request. - P101
24 Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safelyto Governor Felix." - P102
27 This man was seized by the Jews and they were aboutto kill him, but I came with my troops and rescued him,
for I had learned that he is a Roman citizen. - P103
30 When I was informed of a plot to be carried outagainst the man, I sent him to you at once. I also orderedhis accusers to present to you their case against him. - P103
A large group of Jews conspire to kill Paul and tell the chief priests and eldersabout their plan. Paul‘s nephew hears about the conspiracy and tells Paul.
- P101
When the commander is informed about this, he has his soldiers escort Paulto Caesarea that same night. Paul is taken to Governor Felix with a letter thatexplains the whole situation. - P101
Often God uses unsung heroes and their simple acts of courage toaccomplish His plan. Paul‘s nephew is one of them. His name is noteven given, but he saves the great apostle‘s life. - P104
This nameless nephewwas crucial to ensuring that the good news continued to spread to allpeople. Because of him, Paul was able to carry the message of Jesus tomany important cities and rulers in the Roman Empire. - P104
The kingdomof God advances through small steps of faithful obedience. - P104
Perhaps youfeelyou have nothing to offer. But what Paul‘s nephew did required nospecial training or skills. - P104
God only asks for our obedience to fulfill thetasks He gives us, whether they are big or small. - P104
In His sovereignty, God can direct powerful rulers and governments tofulfill His purposes. The Roman commander Claudius helped furtherthe spread of the gospel by sending Paul to Governor Felix in Caesareawith the protection of Roman soldiers. - P104
This ensured that Paul and thegospel message would eventually reach Rome, the most important cityin the empire. - P104
Given Paul‘s situation, his imprisonment, and the threatto his life, it would have been easy for him to get discouraged and losehope. But God is always at work. - P104
We must never doubt His sovereignpower to fulfill His purposes. - P104
Sometimes He works in ways we do notexpect, but we can always expect Him to be working. - P104
Dear God, You are powerful and sovereign over all things. Forgive me fordoubting that You can accomplish Your will through me and through thosearound me. - P105
Give me the courage to obey and the faith to trust You to fulfillYour purposes through my obedience. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P105
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