Sharper Sword (Acts 26 ESV

 

As Paul stood before Festus, King Agrippa and Queen Bernice, he gave his defense.  He was confident King Agrippa would understand.  And he did.

It came a bit too close for comfort for him, so he asked Paul,

 " ... in such a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?"

"Well, yeah, that's kind of the point ...." 

Paul had effective defense.  In the end King Agrippa tells Festus in a private conversation that Paul was innocent and could have been freed if he hadn't appealed to Caesar (vs 32 ESV).

Again and again showed that Paul paid attention to whom he was speaking.  He then tailored his messages accordingly.  Most often the message hit its mark.

When we pay attention, I mean, really pay attention, to our audience, whether it's a room full of hearers or an audience of one, we will be better able to ascertain a more customized - as it were - message.

Yes, all need to hear the gospel but if we know the audience, the general beliefs of it, society of the time's norms for example, or what an individual has experienced and/or is going through at the time, we can be pro-actively intuitive, respond in kind measure, bringing the message of Jesus more accurately and relevantly to the audience.  The Holy Spirit aiding us.

In many ways this is basic pastoral care at its most effective conduit.  It is a skill that can be developed, as one studies God's word, for sure, but who also has knowledge and awareness of the current culture, and beliefs of those with whom one wishes to converse.

The Word of God is,

"...living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).

We may not know all that is in the heart of man but God does.  However, I think that when we keep our "sword" as sharp as possible and use God's Word aright, the Holy Spirit will work in the hearts and minds of the hearers, as it did to both governor Festus and King Agrippa.

We are not told if these men ever came to Christ, but they did hear the gospel message.  There would more than likely have been many others in these rooms too: the guards, other dignitaries, servants and so on.  These too heard this messsage of Jesus.  We can never under-estimate the audiences' reach whether intentioned or unintentioned, God has His way of working so all may hear.  

Will you be His mouthpiece?

                                                 ~ ERC  April 2026  ~

Based on Acts 26 ESV.

Sing, God's Word is Like a Hammer (The Book of Books) along with Andrew Remillard).

Standing Before Kings (Acts 25 ESV)

 

To stand before kings and queens as a dream come true, could be a dangerous dream in that reality.  There would be very little romance in it, generally speaking, I feel.  Being on ones' best behavior may not be enough.

Even though the Apostle Paul was told he'd stand before royalty, it was not necessarily something to be desired.  Yet Paul could stand his ground fearlessly and respectfully. He even appealed to Caesar!  It was his Roman citizenship right.  Such appeals appears to have been irrevokable too.

Festus said,

 "To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go" (Acts 25:13 ESV).

This was Paul's appeal after a two year hiatus "in the barricks."  Maybe he was frustrated and a bit impatient with the system that kept him bound, only due to false accusations and Festus' wanting to keep in the good books of the Jewish leaders.

To some extent, Paul's appeal feels like he was overworking the wise-serpent- innocent dove ace card.  Yet the Lord uses our will to complete His will, or to tell Him whether we accept or reject His.

Seems a serious matter.  We do well to think and act wisely.  Make much prayer and many requests of the Lord, and be still to discern what He wants for us.  What course of action do you really want?

In the meantime, Festus toys with Paul.  He is in an expansive mood, wishing to show the visiting royalty, King Agrippa and Queen Bernice, a good time.

So you'll see in the next chapter of Acts how that played out.

For us now, if we imagine ourselves in such a position, kneeling before royalty and other men and women of authority, what would our 'speech' be like?  What would our defense be?

May  we be ready to give answer and to listen for Holy Spirit guidance at such a time as that.  May we be fearless and respectful and give God the glory.  

So help us, God.

                                               ~ ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 25 ESV.

Sing,  Before the Throne of God Above, along with Sovereign Grace Music.

Dry Dock Opportunity (Acts 24:14-16, 21 and 25 ESV)

 

Paul continues his wise serpent-innocent dove defence.  As he unravels his thoughts, they unfold as a witness to those in Roman authority positions, of the grace of God and the message of Jesus.

He doesn't miss or waste an opportunity.  He never knew how long he had to do so, so he made good use of his time even though he did not have his freedom to travel about on missionary journeys as he formerly had done.  You might say that Paul was in 'dry dock'.  That didn't faze him, he spoke to the audience the Lord had provided for him despite his confined circumstances.

As he spoke of the

" resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust" (vs 15);

 of 

"righteousnesss, of self-control and the coming judgment" (v 25),

 the listeners, especially Felix the governor, were affected.  Felix became downright uncomfortable and alarmed.

Felix told Paul he'd summon him again at some other opportune time.

As followers of Jesus Christ, even in our day and age, we can seek similar opportunities even if and when we are isolated to small patches of Earth.  I believe we can ask the Lord to present us with them and to give us the words and wisdom to use them, no matter how high and dry we may feel we are.

Father God, lead and guide us, overlay opportunities to speak for You with courage, and wisdom and words, for Your glory and honor.  Even when we are in confined situations, so be it.  I ask in Jesus' name.  Amen.

                                               ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 24:14-16, 21 and 25 ESV.

Sing, Go Tell It On the Mountain, along with  Gaither Music.

Lord's Day Devotion - This Do (Acts 20)

 

As a matter of course, they were gathered together on the first day of the week.  Some call this day 'Sunday' while others prefer, "The Lord's Day."

And on this Lord's Day, after the believers 

"had broken bread and eaten," 

Paul

 "conversed with them a long while, until day break, and so departed" (vs 11).

Whether this "breaking of bread" together was just a regular meal together, or they were partaking in "Holy Communion," as some like to call it, it is somewhat ambiguous.  However, I like to think they were remembering what Jesus had done for them, fulfilling yet again, one of Jesus' requests to the disciples that night in the upper room before He had been betrayed.

"Do this in remembrance of Me"

 Jesus had asked to them (Luke 22:19 ESV).

The bread represented His body, 

"which is given for you" 

Jesus told them.  Likewise 

"the cup poured out" 

was the new covenant sealed and promised by Jesus' shed blood (vs 20).

Jesus instituted this at the Passover Meal, in the middle of a meal.  So too, with Paul, and Luke with this company of believers at Troas.

The especial mention that it was

 "on the first day of the week" (v. 7) 

also triggers my mind to believe it was for the remembrance.  Either way, we too, can continue

 "to meet and remember;" 

to keep on, keeping on, gathering together - in person, until He comes.

                                                ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 20:7 & 11 and Luke 22:14-20 ESV.

Sing, Remember Me, along with Mr. PGSalt.

Wise Serpents - Innocent Doves (Acts 23 and Matthew 10:16 ESV)

 

Here's a satisfying verse ...

"Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpants and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16 ESV).

Jesus was sending his disciples out to preach and heal but these words carried fair warning of impending persecution.  Being sent in to the midst of wolves sounds ominous, but He did add strategy for navigating through the pack.  They could be "wise as serpents" - #1, and second, innocent as doves."

A few days ago I killed a serpent that had had the audacity to slither over my feet in my kitchen.  Wriggling and wily serpents give me the shivers!

Then for a couple of nights in a row, I dreamt of colorful serpents.  NOT nice!

Serpents seem to be coming at me from all angles.  My husband was watching a documentary of like the top ten (or so - can't exactly recall) places in the world where human beings absolutely cannot live, or they live with exceedingly difficult existences and hard won survival due to extreme weather to weather.

One of those places named was Snake Island, off the coast of Brazil.  It said that there was one highly venomous golden lancehead viper per one square meter in some parts of the 430,000 square meter island.

There is a coast guard, guarding the island 24/7 for the protection of stupid people (my term) who'd think they were so invicible they could "visit" the island unscathed.  (Well, these snakes are also on the endangered species list thus another plausible reason for the guarding.)

The golden lanceheads are beautiful creatures but, they are still serpents.  Deadly ones, yet in order to catch their prey they have to be wise. They have to be shrewd.  However, they are neither harmless nor innocent.  Did you know they curl up on a branch, for instance, and let their tail hang down and wiggle it to deceive birds that there's a nice juicy worm to be had?  Once lured, the bird ..., well, you get the picture.  It was definitely a time not to be early.

Conversely, the small, quick tripping motion of a dove's walk with its bobbing head as it goes along, often cooing, appears to be the epitome of innocence and harmlessness.  We often see them around and I think they are rather sweet and unassuming birds.

So saying, let's find what's happening with Paul in regards to serpents and innocent doves.  He's been rescued from the murderous crowds who so desired to beat him, quite possibly, to death.  The Roman soldiers were ordered to get him into the barracks for safety reasons, but also so he could be more closely examined as to why the people were all stirred up.

The next day he was brought before the high priest Ananias and others of the religious Jewish leaders while the Roman  tribunal looked on.  This is where Paul, who could read a crowd apparently, used the wise serpent-innocent dove tactic.

Paul ascertained that some of the religious rulers were of the Sadducees' persuasion and some were of the Pharisees'.  The former did not believe in resurrection of the dead, angels or of spirits while the latter did.

It seems like Paul was attempting to divide and conquer with his shrewd remarks, declaring himself to be a Pharisee and stating his belief in those three basic areas.  He got his desired effect.

The hostile accusers became divided and ...

 " ... the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks" (v. 10 ESV).

Paul's "innocent shrewdness" is somewhat amusing but he still did not have his freedom.  Thankfully, he once again escaped being "torn to pieces".  God wasn't finished with him yet.

This was serious business.  The heading of the Scriputre section from which I have taken the Matthew 10:16 verse in the YouVersion ESV, reads,

 "Persecution Will Come."  

If you read from verse 16 through 20, you'll see what Jesus taught and what Paul had been experiencing as recorded by Luke in the Book of Acts.

Persecution can come in many forms but we can have some preparedness and readiness by studying these verses that come straight from our Lord's mouth.  And as we listen for Holy Spirit's guidance about being as wise as serpents and innocent as doves, pray for the correct Christlike way to speak and act.  Then watch out for the wolves.

Father God, thank You for Your many provisions for us, especially in view of persecution of Your people.  The advice and instruction Jesus gave to the disciples is helpful.  Help us to use it aright and in whatever wise shrewdness we use, it will indeed be harmless and innocent.  May Your Holy Spirit lead and guide us, along with Your word, all the days of our lives, which You have numbered.  We thank You in Jesus' name.  Amen.

                                                   ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 23 and Matthew 10:16 ESV.

Sing, A Mighty Fortress is Our God, along with Sovereign Grace Music.

Prepared and Ready (Acts 22 and 1 Peter 3:15 ESV)

 

Paul longed to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone.  He even had presence of mind to share his own testimony of conversion and then the "what else" of his God-given mission to bring the message of Jesus to the Gentiles.

He had all this very ready in his mind and heart and on his tongue - ready to speak.  He did so even in the very midst of a mob bent on beating him to death.  He had had to be rescued by Roman soldiers.

But before he was carted off and carried away into the protection of their barracks, he asked for the floor and opportunity to speak to the seething crowd.  Amazingly, they allowed it.

Whether you call it brazen, brass or brave, Paul explains his life and life mission.  The crowd quiets and listens until the trigger point of his telling them he had been sent to the Gentiles.

And then they exploded in anger and murderous intent, once again.  Paul was whisked away into the barracks.  He was taken in to be kept safe, per se.  Safe from the crowds but now he faced flogging at the hands of the Romans to discover what was at the bottom of the throng's uproar.

Paul has his trump card though.  He revealed his Roman citizenship which gave him certain protection; that is, in this case to avert the flogging.  He still wasn't quite let off the hook though.  He still had to face the tribunal, and council of Roman authority and the Jewish chief priests.

If he was looking for an audience, Paul certainly had one now.  But I believe his bravery and courage in the face of all these was God-given through the Holy Spirit.

Not everyone is called to face such intense opposition and being called into question.  However, God's Word does ask us to be ready to give an answer.

" ... but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.  Yet do it with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15 ESV).

This is so nice sounding, and to be able to do it all with "gentleness and respect".  In our anger and frustration this doesn't always pan out; myself a key example.  I need to think this all through.  Hopefully, I will be able to act appropriately upon this in Christlike manner, being as gentle and harmless as a dove.  These are thoughts that came to me as I read Acts 22 yesterday and today (25/3/26).

May we each think it out and be as prepared and ready as Paul had been.

In Jesus' name, so be it.

                                                ~  ERC  March 20265  ~

Based on Acts 22 and 1 peter 3:15 ESV.

Sing, I Speak Jesus, along with Charity Gayle.

What Else? (Acts 21 ESV)

 The Apostle Paul's soul longed to tell others of Jesus.  So he did.  He did so even with the threat of persecution hanging over his head.  Oh, and not just the threat, the actual act of it, such as when he was being thrown or dragged out of a city and stoned or beaten.

In this 21st chapter of Acts, Paul longed to go to Jerusalem to fulfill a vow.  So he did.  He visited the other apostles and reported his missionary journeyings among the Gentiles and of all God was doing among them.

He had been warned though, not to go.  In the end he would not be persuaded against it.  So the persuaders said,

"Let the will of the Lord be done" (vs 14).

Sure enough the Jewish crowds got riled up.  They misunderstood and listened to the gossip.  They began mob beating him.  But he was rescued, barely by the skin of his teeth, by Roman soldiers.

There are times when God's messengers have been rescued by 'great fish' such as Jonah,  by angels such as Peter from prison and now Paul is rescued by soldiers.  Their lives had not yet completed their missions.

Whether it was by fear or disobedience, and then repentance or from a gross misunderstanding that God rescues us, it seems we will need to think of the 'what else' He wants us to do.

Acts 21 ends with a cliff-hanger,

" ... he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying ..." (vs 40 ESV).

Of course we can rush on to Acts 22 and read the 'what else' and 'what's next' but in our day-to-day lives we do not know what a day may bring forth (see James 4:14).  We can put our lives in our Lord's hands though and join the persuaders,

"Let the will of the Lord be done."

Our times are in His hands.

Jonah did finally complete his mission despite his great displeasure and anger.  Paul too, finished his race but a bit more graciously.  We can learn to trust our Lord to work together with Him for our own 'what else,' until Jesus comes or we go to be with Him before all others do.

Let's be faithful - long for it.

                                               ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 21 ESV.

Sing, "Your Will Be Done", along with City Alight.