“The helpless entrusts himself to You; You are a helper of the fatherless.” (Psalms 10:14b HCSB).

July 13, 2021

THE FATHER TO THE FATHERLESS The psalmist began by questioning where God is when the wicked persecute the poor. For the wicked appear to prosper and take advantage of the poor. Like a lion they attack the helpless who have no apparent protection.   But God does observe their trouble and grief. The helpless are

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16 HCSB).

July 12, 2021

NOT ASHAMED In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans, he announced his desire to visit them and preach the gospel. He received his wish towards the end of his life, though not as he probably planned. For he was brought to Rome in chains, having appealed to Caesar. Yet for two years, he faithfully

“The following were the chiefs of David’s warriors who, together with all Israel, strongly supported him in his reign to make him king according to the Lord’s word about Israel.” (1 Chronicles 11:10 HCSB).

July 11, 2021

DAVID: THE SONG-WRITING, STONE-SLINGING MAN OF GOD David was God’s man, but he was also a man’s man. There was something about his heart that the Lord chose to anoint him king. And there was something about his manner that made men of action want to follow him. He was an amalgamation of eclectic talent

“Therefore, take courage, men, because I believe God that it will be just the way it was told to me” (Acts 27:25 HCSB).

July 10, 2021

THREE ENCOURAGING FAITH STATEMENTS FOR FACING LIFE’S STORMS The ship taking Paul to Rome for his appeal to Caesar was caught up in a great storm and in danger of sinking. But God sent an angel to encourage Paul that although they would suffer shipwreck, no one on board would drown. All would be saved.

“When it was decided that we were to sail to Italy, they handed over Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Imperial Regiment” (Acts 27:1 HCSB).

July 9, 2021

DID LUKE SAIL TO ROME WITH PAUL? Dr. Luke once again included himself in the Acts narrative with the use of the first person plural “we” (“it was decided that we…”). This is the last of the four “we passages” found in the book of Acts (Acts 16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-8; 27:1-28:16). Although there is some

“I stand and testify to both small and great, saying nothing else than what the prophets and Moses said would take place— that the Messiah must suffer, and that as the first to rise from the dead, He would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles” (Acts 26:22-23 HCSB).

July 8, 2021

GOSPEL-CENTERED PROCLAMATION Paul’s testimony before the Roman governor Festus and King Agrippa showed not only the focus of his gospel teaching, but also its rootedness in the Old Testament Scriptures. For he was convinced that the good news about the Messiah was clearly foretold by Moses and the prophets.   In Paul’s testimony, he gave

“For You, Lord, bless the righteous one; You surround him with favor like a shield” (Psalm 5:12 HCSB).

July 7, 2021

SURROUNDED WITH GOD’S SHIELD OF FAVOR David wrote of God’s loving-favor and blessing as a shield that surrounded him, both protecting him from harm without, and comforting him with acceptance within. It may seem unusual to visualize God’s love and favor as a shield, which is a defensive weapon of war. But David felt surrounded

“After some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus” (Acts 24:24 HCSB).

July 6, 2021

PAUL’S FAITHFUL WITNESS Paul was held prisoner by the Roman procurator of Judea, Marcus Antonius Felix for two years. Felix understood the religious culture of Judea better than most Romans, having married the daughter of Herod Agrippa I, Drusilla. Both of them divorced their first spouses in order to be together.   Paul’s captivity during

“I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me” (Psalm 3:5 HCSB).

July 5, 2021

THE LORD SUSTAINS US EVEN WHILE WE SLEEP David wrote this psalm after he had to flee from his son, Absalom, who sought to overthrow him and take the crown. Surely he was overcome by grief from this betrayal. Sleep had no doubt eluded him during this time. Yet, he finally lay down and slept.

‘The commander came and said to him, “Tell me—are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes,” he said. The commander replied, “I bought this citizenship for a large amount of money.” “But I was born a citizen,” Paul said.’ (Acts 22:27-28 HCSB).

July 4, 2021

REMEMBERING OUR DUAL CITIZENSHIP Paul’s Roman citizenship was often a help to him as he traveled throughout the empire spreading the gospel. Being a Roman citizen gave him certain rights. One of those rights was the right to a trial before any punishment might be administered. It was this right that Paul brought to the